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peace-coast-island · 4 years

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Diary of a Junebug

Having a whale of a great time!

Scuba diving in the Crystal Blue Lagoon? Check. Collecting pearl oysters and whatever else lies at Sea Glass Shores. Check. Crafting a bunch of cool floaties and braving the Shimmering Whirlpool? Check and check. Riding whales towards the sunset? Check!

Vacationing at the Sparkle Islands has been exactly what I needed! It's nice meeting up with Lenie again as well as Nico and Dewey. The Fairweathers have been taking a break from recording and performing so they've been focusing on adventuring and solo endeavors.

I can't believe that Lenie's a college senior now - where did the time go? Jimmy's busy with family stuff so that's why he's not with us. It feels like forever since I last saw him - but that's what video chats are for! Also, his kids are adorable and I'm glad to finally meet them as well as his husband. Nico's been globe trotting as usual, full of fun and exciting stories to tell us. Dewey's been taking it easy, trying to create a better work-life balance after taking on too much last year.

So far their break has been going really well. With everything going on in their personal lives, they could really take some time off. Artist's block sucks but sometimes there's nothing you can really do about it other than wait it out and focus on other things. Creativity can be finicky, especially when you've got other things on your mind like responsibilities, burnout, or a busy schedule.

I've been in a bit of a creative slump as well. From running events at the camp to personal life stuff getting in the way, I've been feeling off this past week. Like I can't relax because I have a million things running in my mind. If I'm expecting a call or email I find myself unable to focus on anything else because I'm too busy mentally preparing for having to do something that makes me nervous and often drained at the end.

Fortunately, I managed to get pretty much all the boring and stressful adulting stuff out of the way. But after spending most of last week being on edge, it's hard to fall back into my normal rhythm. I've been kinda on autopilot, just trying to get through the day. Up until a couple days ago I've been feeling pretty meh most of the time.

Usually, to de-stress, I turn to art. Doodling, journaling, knitting - whatever creative medium I'm in the mood for. But when you're in an art block, it causes more stress. As someone who's been journaling for years, there will be times when you've hardly touched your notebook in days, weeks, and even months. I have to say, though, since running the camp I've been journaling in a somewhat regular basis - especially when I started incorporating art journaling into it - but I still have times when I'm just not feeling it.

Sometimes getting your feelings out on paper doesn't help, especially when you don't have the words to explain exactly how you feel without it sounding forced or an incomprehensible mess of words. There are times when I want to write about something but the words just don't come out right, so I end up scrapping the whole thing. And of course, there are times when I want to write about something that's been on my mind, only to end up rambling about something else and going off on that tangent.

Then there are times when your mind is so fogged up that you come up completely empty. Up until today, I've been head full of fog, thoughts completely empty. Still kinda feels like that, to be completely honest, but the fog's slowly clearing up. I think the whale ride really helped with that.

As someone who believes a change of scenery and a good distraction helps when life takes a lot of out you, I find that I have a hard time following my own advice. I'm all about taking time to forget your troubles and worries for a bit, but yet I'm having difficulty doing so. I don't know why, but I always find it difficult to completely let loose - like I let myself have fun but at the same time my worries are always there in the back of my mind. It's like I'm subconsciously telling myself to have fun, but not too much fun. As much as I want to let go, there's a part of me that holds on, making me afraid to let myself fall freely.

What's the point in telling people to escape their troubles for a bit when I can't even do that without feeling like I'm doing something wrong? It's not that I don't know how to have fun - though it's taken a lot longer for me to catch on than most people - but sometimes it feels forced. I don't know, it's always something I've struggled with - at least compared to most of my peers growing up. Maybe part of it comes from being a convenient person - one who doesn't ask for much, someone who doesn't go out of their way to bring attention to themselves - the kind of person who tags along and is just there.

It's kinda like I don't know exactly how to have fun. Sort of like I'm second guessing myself by wondering, "Is this what having fun feels like? Am I doing it right? Is this enough?" and of course, that totally defeats the purpose of escaping and letting go.

I have to say, being at the camp as helped a lot in terms of teaching me how to live in the moment and enjoy the good times to the fullest. It's still a bit of a new concept for me, but at least I'm coming out of my shell - and that's what counts. Maybe I'll never be as carefree as some people - I've been told that I'm kinda low-key and serious by nature - and I'm okay with that. Sometimes I wish that I could be a bit more vocal and expressive and active, but most of the time I'm happy with being an observer and doing my own thing in the background.

It was Chai and Rhonda's idea to visit the Sparkle Islands. It was on the list for a while but for the past year the islands were undergoing a lot of reconstruction so a lot of places were closed. Leyla, who's one of the princesses of the islands, was behind a lot of the restoration and repair of various sites.

Turns out that I just missed her when we visited Maron Heights to watch our friends perform in After Hours at the Opera. Because she was so busy getting the islands back in shape, she dropped by to see the show the night before we came and went back home the next morning.

Like with Kat, Hawk, AJ, and Elara, Leyla's been going through a bunch of changes as well now that things are settling down. Aside from rebuilding the islands, Leyla's getting reacquainted with her mom Archer, who disappeared about twenty years ago in a disaster that left part of the main island in shambles for years. Having her back is still a huge adjustment for Leyla and her momma Rosie as she missed out on a lot. Leyla and Kat are pretty much on the same page when it comes to reuniting with a parent who was presumed dead for most of their lives. Despite the initial awkwardness, things are going well.

As for Leyla, a heated reunion between her moms led to an unexpected surprise - three actually. In about five months their little family of three will double in size. While her moms are terrified, Leyla's at the point where she's fully looking forward to having three new siblings. Sure, it'll be tough as her moms are out of practice with taking care of a baby (or babies). The way Leyla sees it, the 20 + age difference is more of an advantage because she can easily help take care of the babies as her moms will definitely be overwhelmed.

So along with overseeing the islands, Leyla's been helping Rosie take care of Archer, who's on strict bedrest. Archer's doing okay for the most part but the pregnancy has taken a toll on her, especially since there's a high potential for complications. Now with reconstruction almost done - about 98% according to Leyla - she has been spending a lot of time with her moms.

It was by chance that we ran into Lenie and her brothers as well as Leyla and her moms. Leyla's been dropping by to check in on us but it wasn't until today she joined us on a fun filled day of crafting floaties and riding whales. Rosie insisted that Leyla take a well deserved break and invited us for dinner when we got back.

Crafting floaties was a lot of fun and so was diving in the Shimmering Whirlpool. It does take some getting used to though, and one should be a somewhat experienced swimmer as the currents can get quite unpredictable. A bit too rough for my liking at times - not a fan of being spun around quickly because motion sickness, ugh - but overall it was an interesting experience. Definitely more into crafting floaties though.

Maybe I would be more of a thrill seeker if I didn't get so dizzy easily. I can't even look at something spinning for more than half a minute without feeling a headache coming on.

Late afternoon and evening were much more chill, thankfully. Bubble tea, sandwiches, and ice cream at the beach. Building sandcastles and breaking open coconuts. Lying on a beach towel under an umbrella and watching the waves. It's hard to believe that a couple months ago this place was left in ruins.

The biggest highlight was the whale ride. Leyla set us up with some of her friends, who were more than happy to let us hop on and show us the ocean. And I have to say, it was an amazing experience!

For a moment, I was able to let go completely. No worries, no doubts, no second guessing myself. Just bliss and exhilaration. A rare moment in which I get to be in the moment instead of being aware that I'm living a memory that I'll be looking back on fondly someday. It's strange, to lose yourself like that and not feel... weird? Guilty? Disconnected? Like you're not enjoying it enough because a part of your mind is elsewhere.

Riding a whale towards a sunset - what a way to spend an evening! I guess my takeaway from this mind blowing experience is that I need to learn that a part of having fun is letting happiness come to you instead of forcing it or telling yourself that you should be enjoying this. I need to keep that in mind.

#animal crossing #animal crossing pocket camp #Diary of a Junebug #headcanon ramble

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whittlebaggett8 · 5 years

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The Sino-Vietnam War and China’s Long Route to Winning

The remote valleys and mountains of Cao Bang province are peaceful spots rich in all-natural means and residence to the Tay, Nung, Dao, and Hmong peoples of Vietnam. The province sits on the Sino-Vietnamese border and in 1979 was at the hinge of a territorial dispute that would outline the strategic politics of Southeast Asia and past right up until the present working day.

Historians looking at the shorter border war of 1979 in between China and Vietnam have extended concluded that the Chinese invasion into the north of Vietnam – an endeavor to exert some regulate about Vietnamese growth in Indochina — was a armed forces failure. Vastly superior Chinese forces were being fulfilled with decided resistance by a regular Vietnamese force able of productive guerrilla tactics. The evaluation carries on that following hefty losses Chinese forces sulkily withdrew back across the border, under no circumstances to difficulty the peace yet again.

In fact ex-U.S. president Jimmy Carter not too long ago tweeted that unlike The united states, which has been in a point out of just about long-lasting conflict because 1979, China given that the very same yr has not fought a war of any kind. Carter’s place looks to be that the Chinese eschewed war in return for domestic modernization and industrial enhancement. On the other hand, a much more persuasive concept may be that China knew how to perform a short, limited war in purchase to set the circumstances for a long and extensive peace.

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In War and Peace, Tactic Issues

The Chinese leading at the time of the Sino-Vietnamese War was Deng Xiaoping, a really rational leader who understood the artwork of tactic probably better than most. His region was desperately in want of domestic modernization and reform. China was staying squeezed the two from the north — by a Soviet Union at the height of its navy electric power — and to the south, where by a unified Vietnam was steadily attaining power under the stewardship of its Soviet husband or wife. Subsequent the border disputes of the 1960s Beijing’s relationship with the Soviet Union was at a very low ebb, whilst relations with Hanoi experienced been steadily deteriorating because the close of the Vietnam War and U.S. withdrawal from Indochina. Hanoi’s therapy of ethnic Chinese in expelling them from the nation and selection to have interaction in conflict in Cambodia to restrict Chinese affect there were viewed as ingratitude for the financial and armed service aid China experienced provided to Hanoi for the duration of the Vietnam War.

The alliance concerning Hanoi and Moscow and the Soviet-led rallying of other international locations to encircle China meant Deng confronted the real possibility of a long run war on two fronts. What he preferred was to create a safe global environment in purchase to perform domestic reform.

Deng’s prepare was to educate Vietnam a lesson while reducing the likelihood of a broader conflict or really serious engagement with the Soviet Union. In acquiring this he confronted domestic opposition. Critics observed a shift to conflict from Vietnam as a diversion of methods from deterring the Soviet Union on the northern border. Other individuals would level to deficiencies in the Chinese military, which was found as unprepared for a severe conflict. Many in the Communist Celebration thought a war with Vietnam would create a prolonged-time period hostile predicament in Southeast Asia — and even worse, risked drawing the Soviet Union into a total-scale conflict.

Deng was a pragmatist and understood his electric power in the nation was not nevertheless consolidated. He had specific worries about the point out of his armed forces, whose efficiency and competence he doubted. He realized that if any programs to reform ended up to succeed, it may well have to be on the back again of failure. And if that were being the scenario then failure required to be managed. A tightly managed war would present him with the management he desired to deliver about the reform he needed.

It was here that Deng’s strength as a strategist came to the fore. He calculated that supplied his possess military services goals had been modest, the Soviet Union would not be inclined to transfer forces fully commited to Europe. A brief war would also limit the cost though being ample to instruct Vietnam the “lesson” it desired. As for the West, he assessed that there would be no U.S. opposition in breaking up a Soviet-led communist consolidation of Indochina there ought to only be the opportunity of accelerating the normalization of relations.

With the concept of the war launched, Deng set about building it so. He to start with laid the diplomatic foundations with the United States, Japan, and other nations in Southeast Asia. Shrewdly he did not adhere to the follow of former Chinese leaders in emphasizing China’s strength – he pressured China’s poverty, backwardness, and its willingness to study from Western international locations. In Southeast Asia he labelled Vietnam as the “Cuba of the East” and emphasized Chinese solidarity. A peace settlement signed with Japan and smiling normalization summits with the United States supplied the worldwide support Deng thought he needed.

Did It Go As Prepared?

Deng’s generals attacked with around 200,000 troops across the Vietnamese border with the intention of capturing six regional capitals in a couple days, at which position victory would be declared.

This is wherever it went improper.

The 50,000 opposing Vietnamese ended up hugely structured and had appreciable battle expertise received in wars in Cambodia and in opposition to the Individuals. The Chinese strategies had been out-of-date, and their forces endured from bad degrees of corporation and inadequate logistics. Considerably from repeating the successes of the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Chinese became bogged down and endured major casualties. It was not the fast, decisive campaign the generals experienced predicted, and Deng had hoped for. At some point and with excellent work they would capture 3 of the regional money objectives.

But to Deng constrained good results in the industry did not routinely quantity to strategic failure. He had held onto the reins of all instruments of nationwide electric power in this conflict, placing boundaries on the period, value, and scope of the procedure. When occasions turned lousy, Deng would have none of the mission creep and discuss of “just one extra push” so prevalent among the moi-bruised generals and determined politicians. With no sign of the Soviet Union sailing in excess of the horizon – Vietnam was vital to the Soviets, but not that crucial — and the West ambivalent to Beijing’s actions Deng banked what he had and, to the fury of his subject commanders, requested Chinese forces to withdraw.

A Disappointing Success?

The army campaign was unquestionably not the swift decisive victory envisioned. But Deng did not view victory in messianic phrases. Chinese forces withdrew in fairly superior purchase and introduced that Vietnam experienced been taught a lesson. Although the conflict did not carry security to the northern border with Vietnam and did not, in the shorter term, bring about Vietnam to cease interfering in Cambodia, Hanoi did come to be additional docile. The conflict experienced pushed a wedge in the Soviet-Vietnamese axis and demonstrated plainly the restrictions of the Soviet-Vietnamese treaty, which ensured extra circumspect future actions from the Vietnamese. The limits of Soviet preparedness to interfere in Chinese affairs experienced been efficiently tested and soon immediately after withdrawing from Vietnam, China terminated the Sino-Soviet Security Treaty. China’s status in Southeast Asia was enhanced and inspired the formation of a sturdy association of nations opposed to Vietnam. Over time, the effects of the conflict would charge Vietnam economically as it uncovered itself acquiring to commit seriously in the sources vital to defend alone from upcoming Chinese aggression. Following Soviet failure in Afghanistan and growing Soviet weak point, Hanoi could no for a longer time carry on its aggressive posture and would lastly withdraw from Cambodia in a peace manufactured on Chinese phrases.

Domestically Deng’s influence improved significantly and adhering to the failure of the military there could be no argument against the reforms he desired getting manufactured. A young, much more loyal era of senior officers would mould the image of the Chinese navy to Deng’s agenda.

Rapprochement with the United States and the West did not deliver the accelerated advantages Deng experienced hoped for. A military services aid plan did adhere to but it fell small of largescale arms revenue. With entry to Soviet technologies now shut the Chinese would begin to construct the indigenous navy-industrial complexes it relies upon these days. Out of necessity grew a navy-financial functionality that allows China an independence of strategic capability in all probability 2nd only to the United States.

In a planet wherever failures of system encompass us, the management of Deng is placing, if only for how generally it is missed. Rational and sharp his determination earning roamed across war and peace, domestic and international politics, and fused the countrywide devices of electricity.

Of course, some of it did not get the job done as it need to. But when you think about how the region improved in China’s favor and the domestic reforms that Deng was subsequently capable to make, it puts to shame far more latest strategic policymaking to deliver about regional balance.

James Maclaren is a London based freelance journalist who travels extensively in the Asia-Pacific location and writes on defense and protection issues.

The post The Sino-Vietnam War and China’s Long Route to Winning appeared first on Defence Online.

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#China military modernization #China Power #Chinese history #Deng Xiaoping #Sino-Vietnamese War #Asia

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junker-town · 7 years

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The Celtics might have a better future without Isaiah Thomas

Thomas has turned himself into a Celtics legend and deserves absolute credit for it all. But in pursuit of a championship, Boston might be best off letting him go.

When Isaiah Thomas dropped 53 points in the Garden three weeks ago, he cemented himself as a Boston legend. Thomas turned a point guard duel against John Wall into a one-sided affair by taking over the fourth quarter and overtime in the Eastern Conference semifinals, scoring the most points in a Celtics playoff game since John Havlicek.

After Thomas was shut down for the rest of the postseason with a hip injury, the Celtics won Game 3 against the Cavaliers on Sunday without their starting point guard. It was a glimpse into a potential future for the team that doesn’t involve Thomas, and it was compelling.

But first, a few disclaimers.

Isaiah Thomas may finish fifth in the MVP race this season and it will be completely deserved. His incredible regular season was a sensational journey for anyone who followed along.

Thomas also tragically lost his sister this postseason and fought through emotional and physical pain before succumbing to a hip injury that may require surgery.

If LeBron James doesn’t disappear for the first time all postseason, or if Marcus Smart doesn’t explode for seven three-pointers, or if Avery Bradley’s three-pointer doesn’t get the perfect bounce, the Celtics probably would have lost Game 3. It’s not about the win or the loss. It’s about how they played.

The fact remains that the best future for Boston might be one without Thomas.

We all know about Isaiah’s biggest challenge: he’s short.

Despite all of his remarkable abilities, Thomas will always stand 5’9. He has developed dozens of tricks to make up for the height disparity he faces 100 percent of the time in the NBA, and he’s an incredible athlete. But there are times when Thomas is nearly a foot shorter than his counterpart.

Thomas’ offensive production speaks for itself. He’s an elite scorer with incredible pick-and-roll skills who is dangerous behind the three-point line. Put him on any team in the league and Thomas would probably improve their offense.

But defensively, Thomas is marked by constant mismatches. This isn’t just a problem because Thomas is a bad defender (he tries) and his man can shoot over him. It’s a problem because Boston constantly must gameplan around the weak link in their defense, always trying to find the place where they can hide him to cause the least amount of damage. It must limit how the Celtics can play defense, and you never want to limit a team coached by Brad Stevens.

Thomas’ offense clearly outweighs his defensive weaknesses, which explains his role and his accolades. But when you play Thomas for 36 minutes every game, there is a ceiling on how good defensively you can be. Boston circumvented it well during the regular season — they were a top-five defensive team last regular season before falling to No. 12 this season — but best-of-seven playoff series take on a life of their own.

Boston is angling to be the best team in the league one day

Despite their No. 1 seed, the Celtics aren’t among the elite yet. They outperformed their expected win total by five games and snuck past a lackadaisical Cavaliers in the final days of the regular season. (That reflects well on Stevens.)

If Rajon Rondo doesn’t get injured, maybe the Bulls beat Boston in the first round. In the next round, they took advantage of that home court to beat the Wizards in a tight seven-game series.

In the Eastern Conference finals, Cleveland annihilated the Celtics in Games 1 and 2 with Thomas playing. The lesson seemed clear: Boston isn’t a championship contender yet.

The Celtics are headed that direction, however. They’re both the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and hold the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. (Thanks, Nets!)

This year’s top prospect is a do-it-all point guard named Markelle Fultz. He hasn’t been marked as an elite defender, but he’s 6’5 with great athletic tools. Fultz made a name for himself with chasedown blocks in college, and the only way he could be a defensive weakness is if he really doesn’t try. Like, it would have to be 2014 James Harden levels of effort.

(By the way, if Fultz reaches his offensive ceiling, Harden is a good comparison.)

Boston also has another top draft selection coming next season (they own the Nets’ 2018 first round pick outright), a couple of well regarded overseas prospects, and they could also reach maximum free agent salary cap space this summer.

Thomas, on the other hand, is a free agent in 2018. He’s only making $6 million, which might be the best value in the league. You see where this is going. The Celtics, who aren’t talking like they’re interested in trading the No. 1 pick, draft Fultz in June. Then they ...

Sign a max free agent (Gordon Hayward?) and trade Thomas. Or ...

Trade for a superstar (Paul George or Jimmy Butler) in a package including Thomas. Or ...

Keep Thomas during Fultz’ rookie year to make sure he’s really your new point guard of the future. Normally, you would never want to let player like Thomas walk without getting something back in return. But the Celtics are so loaded, they might have the luxury to wish him goodbye.

There are a hundred different options, and some do include Thomas in Boston for the long-term. If the Celtics don’t use that cap space this summer on a major free agent, they could re-sign Thomas to an extension this offseason. If they felt extremely bold, they could draft the top wing in the draft, Josh Jackson, over Fultz.

Even if they draft Fultz, there’s an argument that they’d work together just fine. SB Nation’s Celtics Blog made that case.

There’s going to be plenty of questions of whether Isaiah Thomas and Fultz can mesh, and usually when we’re talking about bringing a high upside lottery guard to a team with a solidified starter the answer is no. However, this isn’t the usual circumstances, Thomas isn’t a guard on the decline with a limited offensive repertoire with a young prospect being brought in who will only be a plus offensively if he’s at the one. Both Thomas and Fultz are electric guards that can score at all three levels and can absolutely put offenses on their backs. They are also capable players off-ball who know how to come off screens, and can be just as lethal to opposing teams. You’ll hear the legitimate questions about defense and get the occasional Lillard-McCollum comparisons, but one thing to keep in mind is Fultz has actually shown solid defensive potential and averaged 1.6 spg, and 1.2 bpg. He’s become one of the best guards in college basketball at the chase down block and when engaged can really sit in a stance and move his feet.

It helps that Thomas and Fultz already have a friendly relationship, both hailing from the University of Washington. Thomas reached out to Fultz after the lottery, and told him that he thinks they could thrive if he ends up in Boston.

“He asks questions; I answer them,” Thomas told reporters. “He's a good friend of mine. If it happens, we'll figure out how to play together. If not, we'll go from there.”

The Celtics don’t have to decide now. Team president Danny Ainge has said that Thomas can play with anyone and they could take Fultz’s rookie year to gauge how the two players work together. Maybe Boston will decide the two players can work as a monstrous matchup dependent duo, playing them together or separate totally based on the team they face.

But if Fultz is as good as we think he is, then Thomas will always be a player who limits how high he can reach.

Game 3 was a preview of what Boston could look like without Thomas.

The Cavaliers are an especially hard matchup for Thomas, who is stuck guarding Kyrie Irving or acting as a tiny roadblock for LeBron James’ drives. Cleveland is built with shooters that aren’t phased by a Thomas closeout. After blistering shotmaking in the first half of Game 3, the Cavaliers only managed to score at a 93.6 offensive rating against Boston’s defense.

We also saw a perkier Boston offense with rapid, generous ball movement that resulted in 332 passes after averaging just 304 in the first two games, per NBA.com’s player tracking data. We’ve known all season that Cleveland’s defense isn’t great, even if they’re much better this postseason now that they’re trying. But a little bit of that regular season defensive team showed back up in the second half, allowing plenty of open shots (see: J.R. Smith on the final play) that Boston happily knocked down.

Saying goodbye to Thomas would be hard. At times this season, like the 53-point game, it felt like Thomas should be in Boston forever. But you also must consider that he’s 28 and small point guards sometimes precariously fall off. The Celtics might just have to wait out LeBron James, so youth is an asset. Thomas has done everything possible to make him a part of Boston’s future. It just might not be enough.

Thomas is an incredible player and an even more incredible story. He’s a Boston sports legend now. But if the Celtics have the highest aspirations about their future, then the best case scenario might be one without Thomas, despite everything he has done.

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