Salif’s Void

Their parents are leftists, open minded, pro LGBTQ+, learned to use the right pronouns (to their face at least) all that jazz.

Their Auntie grew up in a remote area, little old fashioned, doesn't really "get" the non binary thing, and hasn't quite got the hang of the singular 'they' yet. But she tries.

When my cousin got injured and couldn't drive their parents shrugged and told them to quit their job.

Their Auntie drove them to and from work every day until they got their cast off.

Which family member do you think they'll ask next time they need help?

Do the readings.

Oh my God, just do the readings. I promise, it gets easier once you get into the habit of it.

Bikini is a colonial misspelling of the indigenous name for the Pikinni atoll. It was one of the many places in the Pacific where Western countries tested atomic bombs. In order to carry out the nuclear testing at Bikini, the USA relocated the islanders to an atoll with no shelter, inadequate fresh water, and so little food that some islanders starved to death. They were exposed to radioactive fallout anyway. Castle Bravo, the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated by the USA, was tested at Bikini and sent radioactive particulate as far away as India, the USA and Europe. After detonating 24 atomic bombs on and around the atoll, the US told the islanders that it was safe to return despite knowing that radiation levels were (and still remain) dangerously high. Generations of islanders are still paying the price with their health and their lives.

The guy who created the bikini swimsuit named it after Bikini Atoll. He said that he wanted it to be "a bombshell" and "explosive" on the scale of a nuclear bomb. He said that "like the bomb, the bikini is small and devastating" and "atom bombs reduce everybody to primitive costume."

they like what you’re wearing.

you look like someone they know.

they recognize a piece of clothing or accessory you’re wearing.

they think you’re beautiful or attractive.

they’re not actually looking at you; they’re completely zoned out.

they're bored and people-watching.

they recognize you from somewhere.

they’re hesitating to ask you something or give you a compliment.

they’ve seen you in that same place before.

you caught their eye.

you look like how they imagined a fictional character to look.

you’re actively reminding them of something completely unrelated and they’re thinking about it.