Now I Can’t Unhear Marvin The Martian Whenever RJ Speaks. Thanks For That, Lmao

10 Ways to Avoid Writing Insecurity

by Sean Platt

Face it. There are few things as intimidating as the blinding white of a blank page.

It makes no difference if it’s an empty sheet lying on our desk, or a blank screen, aiming between our eyes. Defeating “nothing” by subjecting it to “something” with our words is what gives a writer breath.

Whether to pay our bills or please our muse, eventually words must spill. Here are ten tips to help plow past writing insecurity.

1. Appreciate your unique perspective.

No one sees the world exactly like you, and no one can articulate it in quite the same way. The oldest stories are told and then retold, not because they invent new things to say, but because inside a timeless message, each storyteller may weave a million individual moments.

2. Writing is conversation.

The more we speak, the more we understand the fundamentals. Writing is no different. Most of the time, our brains operate on the surface, doing only what must be done. We may adopt the push and pull of conversation to push our voice further. Writing, much like a good discussion, can help us dig a little deeper.

3. Allow your influences to shape your voice, not drown it.

Creativity is borrowed. None of us formed our thoughts in a vacuum, and all of us were subject to a myriad of different models. Inspiration lives inside us, and our subconscious never forgets. We need not copy our heroes, their hand is always there to guide us.

4. Believe.

You can do it! Fear is a set of handcuffs, keeping our fingers from flight. If you don’t believe in yourself, then no one else will either.

5. Ignore the rules.

Rules can be intimidating; intimidation a shortcut to insecurity. You may not know precisely when to use a comma and when to use parentheses, but that decision will never equal the importance of a good idea. We first need broad strokes to lend foundation. We wash our world in red, blue, yellow, and green. Chartreuse and vermillion come later.

6. Write for someone specific.

Nothing will crystallize your voice, like scribbling for a single set of eyes. It doesn’t matter who it is, and it doesn’t have to be the same person twice. Write as though you are speaking to them. Design your jokes to make them smile, your words to feel them near.

7. Write without pause, return later.

Alone with our thoughts, it is easy to think the worst, but we should never allow them to slow us down. When our inner whisper begins to shout, we must lower our nose and keep on going. Once drained, leave. Return later, and you’ll likely be surprised at what you’ve written.

8. Take pride.

Our words are simply a more permanent version of our thought. Be proud of who you are, and know that what you write is a reflection of you.

9. Even Stephen King writes with his door closed.

No one gets it right the first time through. Just start. Even if the world will be watching once you are finished, no one is watching you now. Close the door, breathe the silence, and let what’s inside you come out to play.

10. Dip your toe, then jump… the water’s fine.

The first keystroke is always the hardest, but begetting something from nothing is what separates us from the lower species (well, that and opposable thumbs). Pushing past our fear and into uncertainty, is when we’re most likely to find ourselves.

I thought this was super cool! Also helpful reference for something to attempt later.

If there are any spelling mistakes, no there aren't. I just can't read or write.

The continuation of my clouds tutorial from last week.

How the brain’s immune system could be harnessed to improve memory

When it comes to memory, immune cells are known as the “bad cops” of the brain. But new research shows they could also be turned into “good cops” to power memory and learning.

Inflammation can send the brain’s immune cells into damaging hyperdrive, and this has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases that affect memory, like dementia.

In the new study, researchers at RMIT found that these same immune cells – known as microglia – can also be activated to have the reverse effect.

When the microglia were altered in rats, their performance in simple memory tasks improved by up to 50%, rather than deteriorating.

While the effect was temporary, the discovery suggests these cells could be targeted in the development of new therapies designed to enhance memory formation, with the hope of preventing cognitive decline as people grow older.

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. In Australia, dementia and ageing-related cognitive decline affect 9% of people aged over 65.

Chief Investigator and senior author, Associate Professor Sarah Spencer, said the unexpected results of the study expanded our understanding of memory formation and the role of neuroinflammation in memory loss.

“Cognitive decline is a big problem for our ageing population, and we currently have very few treatments to treat or prevent it,” Spencer said.

“Even in healthy adults, optimising how well we learn and remember can give us a substantial performance edge at work and socially.

“Our study has for the first time shown a link between changes in the immune cells of healthy brains and improved cognitive function.

“While it’s early days and a lot more research is needed, we hope our findings may lead to new therapies that can stimulate these immune cells to boost memory and keep our brains powering as we age.”

(Image caption: A magnified image showing the regenerated microglia. They have a similar shape to the “activated” shape that the brain’s immune cells have when dealing with inflammation. Credit: Alita Soch)

Activating memory with activated microglia

In the study, published in Journal of Neuroinflammation, the researchers worked with a unique type of rat to test the effect of microglia on cognitive function.

The study looked at how the rats performed memory tasks when the immune cells were present and compared this with their performance when almost all the microglia were knocked out.

They found that removing almost all the microglia made no difference in memory tasks.

But when the microglia regenerated, this led to astounding results: researchers ran the same memory tests on the rats and they performed 25-50% better than normal rats.

Importantly, the regenerated microglia were a different shape - similar to the “activated” shape that these cells have when dealing with inflammation.

“We are still exploring what makes these cells different when they repopulate the brain, but their shape tells us they may be more active than usual, potentially making the neurons more effective to encourage better memory,” Spencer, an NHMRC Career Development Fellow at RMIT, said.

“The effect doesn’t last. As the microglia go back to their usual shape, memory performance also goes back to normal.

“The next stage in the research is closely investigating these regenerated microglia to better understand the mechanisms at work, with the aim of finding ways to turn the temporary memory boost into a long-lasting effect.”

Microglia-suppressing therapies are currently being tested in clinical trials in the US, as potential treatments for Multiple Sclerosis.

“With our new understanding of the role of microglia in memory, it may be possible in future to test the therapies originally designed for MS and assess their potential in improving cognitive function as well,” Spencer said.

#reptiles #snakes #adder

(Vipera berus)  common European adder

14 known fatalities since 1876. Systemic symptoms resulting from anaphylaxis can be dramatic. These may appear within 5 minutes post bite, or can be delayed for many hours. In severe cases, cardiovascular failure may occur.

OH RIGHT and I made this little fanart of the croki poki. I love him. I named mine chorizo and he’s such a fantastic singer!

When Max gets pulled into Spirit Trance again in Chapter 4, there's a better look at the background. Sand dunes and what looks like pyramids in the distance. We know that when Spirit Trance involves more than one spirit, the world takes on characteristics of both spirits, as seen with Patchworm and the Ghost Train:

Sphinxes can easily be associated with both a desert environment and pyramids, so there might be more fuel for this theory here.

Also as Max is falling after being repelled by the ghost train, right before he loses consciousness there's something on his back:

Those could be the wings of a Sphinx preventing him from becoming a splat on the ground. After all, if this Sphinx hijacking a ride is the reason Max became a spectral, and it did so to get into Mayview, what good would it do to have its ride die outside the barrier, leaving it right back where it started?

The B.E.R.G possessing Max isn’t a piece of the shadow spirit

I recently read through chapter 5, and with the last two pages that have been released I noticed something that I think gives away the identity of the spirit hiding in Max. I think that whatever is in Max is a very powerful, or maybe even the leader of the Sphinxes.

First, back in Chapter 3, when BERG is speaking to Doorman, he exclaims, “ ARROGANCE. YOUR POWER IS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF. RIDDLES AND WORD GAMES.” And so far, both our Sphinx of Games and Twuth have powers that manifest through words.

Additionally, BERG alludes to his faction. When we first met the Sphinx of Games he ran off saying that “the others” will hear about this. And until now that just seemed like an empty threat. When Doorman is contemplating about Max’s situation:

He says “one of the s-” Now I’m kinda grasping at straws on this one, but the freaky shadow spirit seems to be an independent entity, but we now have proof that the sphinxes are a group and it’s entirely possible that the sentence could have finished as “one of the sphinxes.” I’m thinking that this chapters gonna end with BERG kinda revealing himself to Sphinx of Twuth to get him to bug off.

if you know you know

pnat secret santa 2023

Hi everyone, we're back for another year! Make sure to read through this post for the introduction, application form, and schedule!

What Is Paranatural Secret Santa?

Paranatural Secret Santa is an event that takes place during the holiday season. You get assigned to a person to make a gift for, you create that gift, and you also receive a gift! This secret Santa is themed after the webcomic Paranatural, so if you are a fan of it and create fan content, this is perfect for you!

Gifts can be fanart, fanfic, panel edits, graphics, ect! Whatever you feel like creating.

Application Form

You can apply for the Secret Santa here! (x)

Schedule

November 20th - December 6th: applications open

December 7th - December 10th: applications closed, assignments created and sent out

December 11th - December 24th: working period

December 25th - January 21st: posting/receiving/extension period

Since the event got up and running later than usual this year, we're extending the posting period into late January. Make sure to tag this blog in your post and also use the tag pnatsecretsanta2023 so your gift can be reblogged!

If you have any questions/comments/concerns feel free to contact us! Thanks everyone, and let's have another awesome Secret Santa!

Yooo this is so neat

Fossils of Large-Bodied Crocodile Found in Australia

http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/paludirex-vincenti-09178.html

Contact Your Representative and Tell Them To Fight Against Trump’s Camps

Additionally, if you can see if you can donate money to these organizations

Lawyersforgoodgoverment.com

fairfightbondfund.org

lgbtqfund.org

communitybondproject.org

immigrantfamilies.org

freedomforimmigrants.org