Slim-k-d - Untitled

Once, in a dry season, I wrote in large letters across two pages of a notebook that innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself. Although now, some years later, I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nonetheless made painstaking record of its every tremor, I recall with embarrassing clarity the flavor of those particular ashes. It was a matter of misplaced self-respect. I had not been elected to Phi Beta Kappa. This failure could scarcely have been more predictable or less ambiguous (I simply did not have the grades), but I was unnerved by it; I had somehow thought myself a kind of academic Raskolnikov, curiously exempt from the cause-effect relationships that hampered others. Although the situation must have had even then the approximate tragic stature of Scott Fitzgerald’s failure to become president of the Princeton Triangle Club, the day that I did not make Phi Beta Kappa nevertheless marked the end of something, and innocence may well be the word for it. I lost the conviction that lights would always turn green for me. Although to be driven back upon oneself is an uneasy affair at best, rather like trying to cross a border with borrowed credentials, it seems to me now the one condition necessary to the beginnings of real self-respect. Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The charms that work on others count for nothing in that devastatingly well-lit back alley where one keeps assignations with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions.The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing to do with the approval of others—who are, after all, deceived easily enough. To do without self-respect, on the other hand, is to be an unwilling audience of one to an interminable home movie that documents one’s failings, both real and imagined, with fresh footage spliced in for each screening. To live without self-respect is to lie awake some night, beyond the reach of warm milk, phenobarbital, and the sleeping hand on the coverlet, counting up the sins of commission and omission, the trusts betrayed, the promises subtly broken, the gifts irrevocably wasted through sloth or cowardice or carelessness. However long we postpone it, we eventually lie down alone in that notoriously un- comfortable bed, the one we make ourselves. Whether or not we sleep in it depends, of course, on whether or not we respect ourselves. There is a common superstition that “self-respect” is a kind of charm against snakes, something that keeps those who have it locked in some unblighted Eden, out of strange beds, ambivalent conversations, and trouble in general. It does not at all. It has nothing to do with the face of things, but concerns instead a separate peace, a private reconciliation. People with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things. In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display what was once called character, a quality which, although approved in the abstract, sometimes loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable virtues. Nonetheless, character — the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life — is the source from which self-respect springs. To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which, for better or for worse, constitutes self-respect, is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference. If we do not respect ourselves, we are on the one hand forced to despise those who have so few resources as to consort with us, so little perception as to remain blind to our fatal weaknesses. On the other, we are peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously determined to live out—since our self-image is untenable—their false notions of us. We flatter ourselves by thinking this compulsion to please others an attractive trait: a gift for imaginative empathy, evidence of our willingness to give. At the mercy of those we can not but hold in contempt, we play roles doomed to failure before they are begun, each defeat generating fresh despair at the necessity of divining and meeting the next demand made upon us. It is the phenomenon sometimes called alienation from self. In its advanced stages, we no longer answer the telephone, because someone might want something; that we could say no without drowning in self-reproach is an idea alien to this game. Every encounter demands too much, tears the nerves, drains the will, and the spectre of something as small as an unanswered letter arouses such disproportionate guilt that one’s sanity becomes an object of speculation among one’s acquaintances. To assign unanswered letters their proper weight, to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves—there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home. In memory of the great Joan Didion: On Self-Respect.

Social scientists spent almost a decade observing MAGA, trying to figure out what makes them follow the Orange Pus Knot. In the end they finally conceded that the answer presented itself vividly and without question.

"As one reads history, not in the expurgated editions written for school-boys and passmen, but in the original authorities of each time, one is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted; and a community is infinitely more brutalised by the habitual employment of punishment, than it is by the occurrence of crime. It obviously follows that the more punishment is inflicted the more crime is produced, and most modern legislation has clearly recognised this, and has made it its task to diminish punishment as far as it thinks it can. Wherever it has really diminished it, the results have always been extremely good. The less punishment, the less crime. When there is no punishment at all, crime will either cease to exist, or, if it occurs, will be treated by physicians as a very distressing form of dementia, to be cured by care and kindness. For what are called criminals nowadays are not criminals at all. Starvation, and not sin, is the parent of modern crime."

~ Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man Under Socialism, 1891. Just a few short years before his own imprisonment, which ultimately lead to his death.

JENNIFER COOLIDGE Wins Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The White Lotus | 75th Primetime Emmy Awards

TMZ

Bill Burr Says Billionaires Should Be Put Down Like Rabid Dogs

Bill Burr doesn't want to eat the rich ... but he does want to kill them.

The comedian went off on billionaires in a recent podcast episode, comparing them to rabid dogs who need to be put down.

Bill made the comments on his "Monday Morning Podcast" ... blaming billionaires for dividing the country, hoarding all the wealth and creating a situation where working people can't afford rent and need two jobs just to stay afloat.

BB says way too many people are stressing out about bills, and he says anyone who works a regular job should be able to afford their basic necessities.

Pius XII - the Pope who exploded!

The embalming of Pope Pius XII in October 1958 was so botched by his doctor that this much loved pope exploded while on public view in the Vatican

One of the most botched examples of embalming in history with catastrophic results was that of Pope Pius XII when he died in October 1958. Dead popes are put on display and processed before an elaborate burial. Therefore they need to look presentable. Unfortunately for Pius XII, his doctor was clueless when it came to embalming and made it up as he went along. The result of this? Pope Pius XII…

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Your Rising Sign and how others perceive you ⋆·˚ ༘ *

The Rising Sign is very important in a chart, it defines your identity (the 1st house) and your shell. It shows how you react in new situations. I like to call it the “social mask” of a person because, let’s be honest, we all have one. We don’t just reveal our true selves immediately—okay, maybe some of us do, but I believe there’s an explanation for that in the chart as well.

Anyway, the Rising Sign represents how we present ourselves, how we approach new situations, how we are perceived, and how we act. Let’s dive in.

✧ Aries Rising

Others see them as someone who takes charge and isn’t afraid of new things. They’re likely the ones who share their opinions right away. They come across as energetic and, at times, a bit forceful. This Rising Sign often has quick, dynamic body language or gives the impression of always being on the move.

They are perceived as confident and direct, often making a strong first impression. Their energ unfiltered, giving them a sense of urgency and drive that others immediately notice. Aries Rising individuals come across as leaders, pioneers, and initiators, ready to take on anything. I must say that this Rising Sign is very rare!

✧ Taurus Rising

These people appear collected and grounded, radiating stability and reliability, which makes them easy to trust! They might come across as reserved or shy, not because they are, but because they prefer to observe before engaging.

Taurus Rising individuals open up slowly, but once they do, they are loyal and consistent. They move through life at a deliberate, steady pace, exuding poise, patience, and quiet confidence. Others see them as graceful and unshaken.

✧ Gemini Rising

These are the one‘s who are really interested in others and likes to show them that. These people come across as quick-witted, curious, and expressive, always picking up on everything around them. Their energy is restless and unpredictable, making them engaging but sometimes hard to pin down.

Gemini Rising individuals are seen as charming, adaptable, and full of ideas, effortlessly making connections. They bring a sense of lightness and spontaneity, but their attention can shift just as fast.

✧ Cancer Rising

These people come across as gentle, intuitive, and emotionally attuned, often making others feel safe and understood. Their energy is soft yet protective, and they have a natural way of reading the room before fully engaging.

Cancer Rising individuals are perceived as nurturing, sensitive, and deeply in tune with their surroundings. They may initially appear reserved or cautious, but once they feel comfortable, their warmth and care shine through. Others often see them as empathetic, nostalgic, and deeply connected to their emotions, with an aura that feels familiar and comforting, like home.

✧ Leo Rising

These people come across as self-assured, engaging, and full of vitality, there’s something about them that naturally draws attention. Their energy is dynamic and expressive, making them seem effortlessly at ease in social settings.

Leo Rising individuals are perceived as bold, captivating, and impossible to overlook. They carry themselves with a natural sense of authority, often leaving a strong impression without even trying. Their presence feels bright, animated, and full of enthusiasm, making them seem larger than life. Others may see them as playful, charming, and sometimes a bit theatrical, but always memorable.

✧ Virgo Rising

These people come across as composed, observant, and precise, often giving off an air of quiet intelligence. They tend to be attentive to details and have a naturally polished or put-together appearance, even if they don’t try too hard. Their energy is subtle yet sharp, making them easy to underestimate, but they notice everything.

Virgo Rising individuals are perceived as reliable, thoughtful, and pragmatic, with a way of carrying themselves that feels grounded and deliberate. They often appear reserved or analytical, as if they’re constantly assessing their surroundings. Others may see them as modest, efficient, and highly self-aware, with an understated confidence that speaks through their actions rather than words.

✧ Libra Rising

These people come across as graceful, approachable, and socially attuned, often making a strong first impression without seeming like they’re trying. Their energy is charming and balanced, with a natural ability to blend in while still standing out.

Libra Rising individuals are perceived as polite, diplomatic, and aesthetically conscious, always aware of how they present themselves. They have a way of making others feel at ease, often adapting to the energy of a room effortlessly. Others may see them as pleasant, refined, and effortlessly likable, with a knack for creating harmony wherever they go.

✧ Scorpio Rising

These people come across as intense, private, and deeply self-contained, giving off a vibe that’s hard to ignore. There’s something about them that feels magnetic yet unreachable, as if they keep part of themselves hidden at all times. Their energy is strong, focused, and impossible to read, which naturally makes others curious.

Scorpio Rising individuals are perceived as guarded, perceptive, and hard to fool. They don’t reveal much right away, but they pick up on everything. Their presence feels charged, like they see straight through the surface, making some people intrigued and others uneasy. Others may see them as serious, intense, or even intimidating, but those who get past their walls recognize their deep loyalty and emotional depth.

✧ Sagittarius Rising

These people come across as open, lively, and always up for something new. There’s a sense of freedom and excitement in the way they move, talk, and interact with the world. They often seem like they’re going somewhere, physically or mentally, always chasing the next idea, adventure, or experience.

Sagittarius Rising individuals are perceived as easygoing, optimistic, and naturally funny, with a way of making people feel like anything is possible. They don’t take themselves too seriously and bring a light, spontaneous energy into any room. Others may see them as restless, outspoken, or a little unpredictable, but there’s something refreshing about their ability to live in the moment and see the bigger picture.

✧ Capricorn Rising

These people come across as composed, self-assured, and somewhat serious, often giving the impression that they have everything under Kontrolle. There’s a natural authority in the way they carry themselves, making them seem mature and capable, no matter their actual age.

Capricorn Rising individuals are perceived as responsible, determined, and reserved, with a focus on efficiency and long-term goals. They don’t waste energy on unnecessary things and often seem like they’re always working toward something bigger. Others may see them as disciplined, grounded, or even a bit distant at first, but over time, their dry humor, loyalty, and quiet ambition become impossible to miss.

✧ Aquarius Rising

These people come across as independent, unconventional, and a little unpredictable—there’s something about them that feels different but intriguing. They often have a unique style, way of thinking, or presence that makes them stand out, even when they’re not trying.

Aquarius Rising individuals are perceived as open minded, intelligent, and effortlessly cool, with a natural ability to see things from a broader perspective. They can be friendly yet detached, making them easy to talk to but hard to truly know. Others may see them as quirky, forward-thinking, or a bit rebellious, but one thing’s for sure, they’re never boring.

✧ Pisces Rising

These people come across as dreamy, gentle, and hard to pin down, as if they exist in their own world. Their energy is soft, fluid, and intuitive, making them naturally easy to be around, but also a little elusive. They have a way of blending into different environments, often reflecting the energy around them rather than asserting themselves too strongly.

Pisces Rising individuals are perceived as empathetic, artistic, and deeply in tune with emotions, sometimes giving off an almost otherworldly or mystical vibe. They can seem a bit lost in thought, unpredictable, or difficult to read, but there’s something about them that feels familiar and comforting. Others may see them as imaginative, kind-hearted, and slightly detached from reality, yet full of depth if you take the time to truly see them.