It Be Like That Sometimes

That means you've got an easy re-entry point to go back to doing the thing instead of sitting back down and having to make a decision or having to reorient from break mode to task mode. You have pre-reoriented and can just go back into working mode.

I've been doing this by circling what my next task on my tasklist is and bringing up the windows that I'll need for the task before I step away from my desk.

A while back there was a Tumblr post about doing the same thing while writing fiction - when you finish one chapter don't call it quits for the day, write a sentence or two if the next chapter do that you aren't starting from a blank page, you're continuing what you were doing before.

The same thing applies to work and homework and housework. If you finish your english homework *don't* decide that's the perfect moment to take a break, get out your algebra textbook and do a problem or two first.

And a thing that's missed, while kid's abridged adaptations miss out on the rest of the point, is that the Ugly Duckling decides he can't live like this and leaves the farmyard; he goes into the wild himself. In the various passages in which people try to keep him as a pet, or a duck, it's hammered home again and again that this does not make a good pet. there is nothing in him that suits being a domestic animal.

one of the particular parts that makes you go "sweet jesus, hans christian andersen" is where the wild geese rock up and are nice to the young swan, not quite recognising him as a swan but saying they're pretty into whatever weird vibe he has (is this a sort of queer recognition thing? we are told, explicitly, that the wild geese are both male, and they definitely say "you're so ugly it's hot - come with us" - given HCA, it might be) and then they're, you know, instantly shot dead. Because that's what happens to wild geese. They like your vibe and try to take you with them, and even offer to teach you how to flirt - and then you see exactly what happens to them. And then every encounter from there, from the old woman who attempts to keep him - a very satirical and funny passage - to the young family who genuinely attempt to save his life (but he's too fundamentally panicked and awkward to reciprocate their kindness, and explodes out of their house in a social catastrophe) the story hammers in: not only are you a terrible duck, but you just aren't MEANT to live with people. You're closer to the things they kill than the things they keep.

but yeah, adaptations miss this often: you have to go out into the wild to save your own life. you may die in the wild, and you WILL die where you are. nobody comes to save you - and nobody really could have, when you were younger - but ultimately, mate, you just aren't a very good pet. Of the list of "attributes of a domestic animal" you really suck, in detail, at all of them.

so it's very telling to me that the good ending is the one where he is a wild animal - but more importantly, a WILD SWAN.

Not killed. (like a wild goose).

Not kept. (like a duck).

but a secret third thing, that swans - of few creatures - get. they get admired and they get paid and they get LEFT ALONE. they have a position in relation to humanity, and it is BEING A LOVELY SWAN OVER THERE.

Noah Wyle’s adorable reaction to us thirsting over him 🤭

Until recently, a few people in my office had these desk shades to combat the obnoxious fluorescent lights, which is very helpful for people (like me) with migraines or other light-sensitivity issues.

A few days ago, everyone who has them was told to take them down. Different people were given different reasons - It violates fire code (it doesn't) / It blocks line of sight (sort of?). Since this goes against the existing status quo, the union reps (my beloved) jumped on it. Someone jokingly suggested using umbrella hats instead, since hats are allowed in the dress code. Today, the union reps are passing out these ridiculous things in protest:

Private Equity: Pestilence (they are parasites that voraciously strip the value out of a healthy business until it withers and dies)

Workforce Optimization: Famine (cutting hours and employees until the business is starved of staff, barely functioning)

A Spell to Banish the Old Energy and Welcome in the New for A Home

Ingredients:

A glass jar (must have a lid or stopper)

Black Salt (banishing old/negative energies, protection)

Rosemary (love, protection, 

Basil (balance, love, relaxation, prosperity, cleansing,  protection, 

Cloves (cleansing, growth, purification, repels negativity, 

Lavender (peace, money, cleansing, happiness, sleep)

Sugar (love, sweetness, luck)

Pink Himalayan Salt (love, protection)

Rose Petals (love, happiness, peace, blessed home, 

Garlic Powder (banishing old energy, anti-theft, prosperity, cleansing, health)

Sea Salt (cleansing, protection, purification, absorbs bad energy)

Oregano (warmth, comfort, vitality, joy)

Sesame Seeds (prosperity, protection, health

Cinnamon (banishing negative/unwanted spirits, love, wealth, success)

Thyme (releasing negativity, cleansing, balance, purification, health, sleep)

3 Bay Leaves (cleansing, strength, repels negativity, success)

Clear Quartz (protection, cleansing)

White Candle (cleansing, purity, peace)

Directions:

Open the jar with the intention of beginning something new.

Next layer each ingredient on top of the other while focusing on all the good things you want to occur in the house. The order is as follows: first black salt, then rosemary, basil, cloves, lavender, sugar, pink Himalayan salt, rose petals, garlic powder, sea salt, oregano, sesame seeds, cinnamon, thyme, 3 bay leaves, more sea salt, and finishing with more black salt

Place the piece of clear quartz on top of the last layer of black salt before putting the lid/stopper on

Seal the jar with the white candle wax and wait for it to harden.

Place the jar somewhere in your home where you feel it belongs or give it to a friend.

Follow up with your favorite cleansing method.

Notes on what I did:

I made this spell jar for my uncle as a gift for his first home. I wanted to make sure that both he and his pupper, Dixon, have the happiest and most love filled home possible. I also smoke cleansed his house with sage prior to him moving in next weekend.

☘️🌿🍀☘️🌿🍀☘️🍃🍀 🌿These are two bottles I made for friends.

🌿The one on the left is a Protection spell while the one to the right is a Sleep spell.

🎋Dream Spell: •Lavender •Marjoram •3 Cloves, (Mind, body, and soul) •Chamomile •Catnip •Mugwort •Rosemary •Peppermint oil