Tumgik
#like imagine if your employer started complaining about how selfish it is you work for free? that's this
pa-pa-plasma · 2 years
Text
bro you are on the FANDOM WEBSITE why are you NOT supporting your fandom creators????? do you WANT us to stop??? do you want there to be no more art & fic?? because that’s what happens when you don’t reblog our stuff. this isn’t a threat, this is a reality. if there is no one here wanting to see our stuff we won’t post it. I’m not trying to guilt trip here, none of us are, we’re literally just saying that if there is no motivation to spend 10+ hours making fanart or 5 years writing a multichapter fic for free then we won’t fucking do it
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
^this shit? ridiculous. I LOVE EVERYONE WHO REBLOGGED & INTERACTED WITH MY ART! I LOVE EVERYONE WHO ASKED QUESTIONS & COMMENTED!! but so many of these people just liked it & left. this has been getting worse over the years, too. the reblogs to likes ratio has been getting crazier. I create because I love it, but if I have no reason to post, I won’t. fandoms dry up because of this. creators quit because of this.
we just need to stop acting like this is instagram, or that anyone cares what your blog looks like. people don’t see your likes, they see your reblogs. you want that favourite content creator to post more art? you want that writer to post the next chapter of your fav fic?? reblog it. share it. show them you care, because otherwise they won’t. this is a hobby we do for free. you consume our stuff for free. you aren’t entitled to it, so please just reblog, it isn’t hard.
451 notes · View notes
Nebula | Spencer Reid x Reader Platonic
WC: 2701
A/N: When I first wrote Galaxy I intended for it to be a oneshot, but I can’t get enough of the dynamic between Spencer and Reader. This is part 3 to Galaxy and Supernova, though you don’t really have to read them to understand what’s going on.
GALAXY MASTERLIST
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR 12x13 (Spencer), mentions of drug use
For the first time since you joined the Bureau, you didn’t want to go. It was selfish, but you didn’t want to go because you didn’t think you could handle seeing him. Nonetheless, you knew if roles were reversed he wouldn’t hesitate to be there for you so you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and stepped onto the jet anyways.
The rest of the team knew it wasn’t going to be easy for you. It wasn’t easy for them either, but there was a cosmic connection between you and Doctor Spencer Reid that they all knew made this exponentially more difficult for you.
Emily didn’t complain when you stayed impossibly close to her on the jet, eyes cast downward in silence while you listened to them strategize. Rossi kept providing you snacks to eat while on the flight to Mexico, compassionately reminding you that you needed it to keep your strength up whenever there was a lull in conversation. Luke kept careful eyes on your tells, ready to step in if you showed any increased signs of anxiety. He wasn’t as good at noticing them as Spencer was, having worked with you for significantly less time, but the Army veteran had picked up on your lingering military traumas early on in his employment with the team and had been there for you especially when Spencer took time off to care for his mom.
They needed you, and more importantly Spencer needed you, so they were going to do everything they could to keep you in one piece until they could figure out what had happened in Mexico.
Emily took charge when you stepped into the police precinct, commandeering the officers in a way only Emily Prentiss could. You followed Luke to the holding cell, and that’s when you saw him.
Spencer’s eyes slowly met yours and you could immediately tell something was off. Luke started talking to him, and you watched as Spencer struggled to remember your colleague. You were too scared to ask Spencer if he remembered you. Seeing your best friend so out of it terrified you. Spencer Reid was the sharpest person you knew, this dishevelment was uncharacteristic and you felt yourself having a hard time believing the man on the other side of the bars was your favorite doctor.
Luke’s phone ringing pulled you back into the present. You weren’t going to be of any help to anyone, especially Spencer, if you were catatonic. Instead of standing safely on the shore, you had to let yourself get caught in the riptide and pulled into this mess.
“Spencer,” you spoke for the first time since Emily had broke the news to the group of you that morning. You could tell the drugs were making it hard for him to focus, “Spencer, listen to me.”
“(y/n),” he rasped. He remembered you.
“Hey, I trust you,” even in his inebriated state, you both felt the weight of your words.
“(y/n),” he repeated. You knew he understood. When Luke came back he had some revelations from Garcia and the rest of the team back in Quantico. Even though Spencer denied wanting company while the other agents went to check out the motel and the whereabouts of Nadie Ramos, you stayed with him.
You sat on the floor with your back against the wall, watching your best friend carefully. The concrete wasn’t comfortable by any means, but you were not going to let anything else harm the man who was so close yet so far away. You received a lot of strange looks from the passing officers, but you didn’t move. Even when your phone rang, you stayed put.
“JJ,” you answered quietly, watching Spencer’s even breathing as he slept on the bench in the cell.
“How are you holding up?
“I’m… not, but I can deal with it later. Spencer is our priority right now,” you weren’t sure if you were reminding her or yourself.
“How is he?”
“Sleeping for now, hopefully sobering up. This is gut-wrenching. He told me about what happened with Tobias Hankel… I can’t even imagine what it was like for him then. How is Diana?”
“She’s stable, I checked in with her earlier. Cassie’s taking good care of her, you don’t have to worry.”
“Will you keep checking in with her until I get back and let me know if anything changes? Whatever he was doing down here has to do with her, I just need to figure out what it was. I wish he would have told me,” you gritted your teeth.
“That was going to be my next question. You didn’t know about any of this?”
“I knew he was traveling to talk to doctors. He’s been doing it for a few months now, I would spend extra time with Diana while he was gone. I always asked about his trips, nothing he told me ever raised a red flag, though. It was always ‘Met with this doctor, talked about that clinical trial, got this new medication to try.’ I should have known…”
“I’ve been saying the same thing. I don’t know how I missed it, or why he wouldn’t tell us,” you could hear the desperation in her voice.
“We’re going to figure it out. We have to figure it out. We’re getting him out of here,” you told her. You weren’t sure how convinced JJ was at your words but she accepted them anyways, bidding you goodbye when Garcia pulled her into some new information on their end of the case.
“Who was that?” you almost missed the gravely words from Spencer’s mouth when you took the phone away from your ear.
“It was JJ,” you told him.
“Are you going to ask me more questions? I still can’t… can’t remember.” Your heart broke.
“I’m not here to ask you questions, Spence. I’m here to make sure you’re safe.”
“Because you trust me.”
“Because I trust you,” you repeated. He was quiet again until the sun came up, and Emily, Rossi and Luke returned from the motel. Emily pulled you to the side when they showed up, though you wouldn’t let her take you anywhere where you couldn’t have eyes on Spencer.
“That motel room was a mess,” she told you honestly. You had spoken with her on the phone earlier, so you knew most of the finer details.
“It doesn’t look good for him, does it?”
“On the surface, no. The Mexican authorities have everything they need to lock him up, but if we can find something that proves Scratch is framing him we’ll have a better chance.”
You crossed your arms and shifted your weight, mind reeling with possibilities.
When Inspector Casteneda let you into the holding cell shortly after, you planted yourself at Spencer’s side and did not move. Just being in closer proximity to the doctor helped you feel better. Your friendship had never been very touchy-feely, you and Spencer both having reasons that you preferred to limit your physical contact, so the comfort that you found was merely by presence. You always had a clearer head when Spencer was close by, and this was no exception.
You kept your mouth shut while the other agents and Casteneda discussed Spencer’s tox screen and the possibilities of a cognitive interview. When Casteneda pulled out the vials, you watched the first glimpse of memory cross your friend’s face. You tensed, waiting to step in if you needed to.
“Whatever’s in those vials, I was giving it to my mom. That’s the only thing I’m sure of.”
“You can use any of the rooms down the hall,” Casteneda pointed before leaving your little group of agents alone.
“I don’t think a cognitive is a good idea,” you finally spoke, stepping in front of Spencer defensively to stop him from following Emily.
“Why not?” she turned back to you. You were acutely aware of Rossi and Luke watching the exchange.
You glanced over your shoulder at Spencer, who was gazing at you with red-rimmed eyes.
“Your head isn’t clear enough yet.”
“I can still try,” he piped up from behind you. Emily raised her eyebrows, questioning how far you were going to fight this.
“I don’t want him accidentally implicating himself while there are still drugs in his system that could structure false memories.”
“With all the time he’s missing, that might happen anyways. This cognitive could give us some important information, just as much as it might give us false. We don’t have a lot of time, (y/n),” Emily was firm.
From a profiling standpoint, she was right. Any time was precious time, and Spencer had definitely come down enough to form more coherent thoughts. Your role in this case was not that of a profiler, though. It was like you had told Spencer a few hours prior, you were there to make sure he was safe, that whoever did this to him didn’t come back, and that he didn’t go to prison. You trusted that he didn’t commit the crimes he was facing, and you weren’t going to let him being doped up change that.
“I trust you,” Spencer spoke again, blinking slowly. You looked at Emily pointedly, “but I want to do the cognitive.”
“Spencer,” you pleaded. Letting your emotions come into play wouldn’t work with Emily but there was a chance you could get through with them to Spencer. You stared at each other intensely, none of your other colleagues daring to say a word.
Choosing to do a cognitive was something a coherent, clearheaded Spencer would do, you reasoned. As much as you still believed in your gut that he wasn’t ready, you trusted him.
“Let me do the interview,” you tried.
“No,” every agent in the room spoke at the same time, even Spencer. That was how you found yourself sitting on the floor again, this time outside of the room Emily was interviewing Spencer in.
Luke and Rossi came to stand protectively next to you. You knew they were keeping something from you, but you didn’t dare ask what. You were too busy staring down the man guarding the door. Screw international relations, you were ready to start a war with the entire country of Mexico for their wrongful arrest of Spencer.
Luke exchanged a few words in Spanish with the guard, before nudging you with his foot.
“What?”
“Take a breath, (y/n). He just asked me if you bite. If looks could kill you’d have murdered everyone in this precinct already.”
“Even if I did, they’d probably arrest Spencer and blame him for it,” you grumbled. Before either of the men could say anything, Emily stepped out of the interview room. She spoke quickly to the guard, who went inside. You were on your feet as soon as Emily shut the door. Luke grabbed your elbow as Emily told you about the cognitive, though you didn’t understand why until he spoke.
“They just charged Reid with the murder of Nadie Ramos.”
You thought your knees were going to give out. You would have been back on the floor if Luke hadn’t had a firm grip on your arm. Emily spoke some more, but your entire focus was on the door in front of you. Slowly it opened, the guard escorting Spencer back to the holding cell.
“I’m going with him,” you said, tearing your arm away from Luke and pushing past the other agents. Inspector Casteneda tried to stop you from entering the holding cell, but you put your foot down.
“I’ve been around more killers with him than I have with you. If he tries to kill me, so be it, maybe you’ll actually have something to charge him for,” you stepped past the man and plunked down on a bench facing Spencer.
“Is my mom ok?”
“Yeah, JJ’s keeping tabs on her. She’s safe. How’s your head?”
“Getting clearer, I think.”
“Good,” you whispered, settling into silence.
Emily didn’t look fazed when she saw you sitting in the cell with Spencer. She had Matt and Clara with her, and between them and Garcia you were somehow able to establish concurrent jurisdiction over Spencer’s case. Still, you had to watch them handcuff your best friend and start walking him away while Emily was on the phone. Finally she hung up.
“They’re taking it to their brass. Go get him,” she looked at you and Luke. You raced after him, letting Luke do the talking once you caught up to the officers. Saving Spencer from going to a maximum security prison was the highest priority right now, your beef with the Mexican police wouldn’t do you any good in remedying that.
Things moved quickly once Emily had made the proper phone calls, but you didn’t feel yourself start to relax until you were seated safely next to Spencer on the jet couch.
He reached over, taking your hand in his own and moving his fingers up to your wrist, starting to fidget with the bracelet you always wore.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” his voice was soft, meant only for you.
“I wish you had, Spence. I really do, but there’s nothing we can do to change that now. We just have to fight until we figure out what’s going on,” you leaned closer to him, resting your head on his shoulder, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help down there.”
“I’m on my way home, aren’t I?”
“No thanks to me. If I had acted how I wanted, we’d both be on our way to El Diablo right now,” you joked half-heartedly.
“You’re the only person I’d want to go to jail with,” he joked back.
“I don’t know, your odds might be better if you picked Prentiss. She got beat up by a cult leader for you, that’s hardcore.”
“She also faked her own death, who’s to say she wouldn’t do it again as an escape plan? You wouldn’t leave me,” while this kind of banter was normal for the two of you, it felt weird discussing theoretical jail when prison was a very real possibility for the man sitting next to you.
“I won’t leave you. Ever. No matter what, you’re stuck with me,” you reminded him.
“Even if I’m in prison for the rest of my life?”
“You’re not going to be in prison for the rest of your life,” you grumbled, “but even if you were, I wouldn’t miss a visiting day. You can’t get rid of me that easily, Spence.”
“I know,” he whispered, “how do you think this is going to end?”
“Best case, we get a tip-top legal team and you’re acquitted before there’s even speculation of you going to prison,” your confidence was evident.
“And worst case?”
“I don’t want to think about that.”
“I want to know, (y/n). I trust you,” he wasn’t going to let you off the hook that easily.
You sighed, “you were framed for everything illegal that happened in Mexico. I have no doubts about that, never had, never will. Worst case, we can’t prove it and you serve a full sentence because of it.”
“You will prove it though.”
“If anyone can do it, it’s us. Honestly, I think it’ll fall somewhere in the middle. Even with the best of the best legal team, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what happened. It might take time to put all of the pieces together.”
“I appreciate your honesty,” Spencer’s voice dropped even quieter, “everyone else is walking on eggshells around me.”
“To be fair, you were pretty heavily drugged when we first got down there. And the jeans? It was like looking at a stranger, you weren’t yourself.”
“You don’t like the jeans?” you could tell he was teasing to try to lighten the mood.
“I really don’t. The first thing I’m doing when we get back home is finding you some Pretty Boy pants.”
“Of all of the priorities you could have,” he laughed.
“You’re the only you we’ve got, Spencer. Prison, drugs, Mexico, Alzheimer’s, I’m not letting anything take quintessential you away from us, even if it means getting you a new pair of pants.”
GALAXY MASTERLIST
138 notes · View notes
el-trotamundos · 4 years
Text
Life Abroad in the Time of Coronavirus
I have been struggling with writing this update: what to say, whether to post it. Apologies as this will likely read how my brain currently feels - a disorganized swirl of words and emotions. First and most importantly, I am safe and healthy. The situation around the world changes every day and although I was concerned by the Australian government’s initial slow response, the country has now enacted many of the same physical distancing measures as Canada and Europe.
Tumblr media
I made the decision to stay in Australia and wait it out; I know that choice has worried my friends and family. I too get anxious about it sometimes, especially given that flights are not going to be available for the next few months and employment options have significantly decreased. My visa still has over half a year left so I have time to see if things improve. It’s probably a bit selfish but I am just not ready to give up on my Australian adventure. Especially after the rocky start I’ve had. I’ve barely seen areas around Melbourne much less the country.
I struggled to find a job when I first arrived (you can read a bit about how restrictive this visa is in my previous blog post). In December, businesses shut for a proper weeks long Christmas holiday. I finally got a part time job at the beginning of January but I was classified as a casual employee (even though I had a contract for guaranteed 3 days work per week). I had no sick leave, no holidays; if I didn’t go into work, I didn’t get paid. And my contract finished at the end of March so I am unemployed once again. I tried to get ahead of the impending lock down before people realized it was coming but was unsuccessful at securing a new job in time. I doubt businesses will be hiring now until at least June (pity I am not in IT - that’s one the few areas facing increased demand). I spent 6 months this past summer in Canada doing very little and quite frankly, it was lovely. But having finally gotten back into a work routine, suddenly having my days free again is daunting. With the only reasons for leaving the house being grocery shopping, exercise, and medical care, my schedule isn’t exactly full.
Tumblr media
Aside from a few brief periods in Canada, I’ve essentially lived abroad since September 2012. Brussels and London faced terrorist attacks when I was there (Brussels was my first lock down experience - albeit a very short one). Never did I imagine that a global pandemic would be the thing to potentially bring this adventure to an end. I always said that I would never be one of those people who knowingly went to a country under a travel advisory and then complain the government isn’t coming to get them when things inevitably go south. Is staying in a country when your government has told you you should go home while commercial methods are still available any better? Obviously if I was in Australia as a tourist or in a country where the healthcare/government was not similar to Canada, I wouldn’t hesitate. Yet it feels different when you live in a country, even on a 1 year visa. I’m more settled than just a traveler passing through; I have friends, a place to live, a routine, a job (lol RIP to those last two), a life - even if it’s for a short duration. It’s hard to think about packing it up, not because you want to but because a global crisis is forcing you to. And quite frankly, I can’t even picture myself in Canada. What would my life look like there after being gone so many years? What city would I move to? What are my job prospects? Maybe I’m just telling myself what I want to hear. 
I know I am lucky. I’m healthy, I have a roof over my head, savings to get me through this uncertain period, parents who generously help out when things get tough, and not everyone has that right now. So I am grateful; even if this has come across as a bit whiny, even if my Australian adventure hasn’t worked out the way I thought it would (bushfires, coronavirus - honestly what a rollercoaster). We’re all adjusting to this new normal and it’s hard. I think we all deserve to take some time to be upset if needed. Tomorrow can be a new day. Until then I’m gonna sit here and gaze longingly at the pictures from my birthday day trip to Philip Island, when my biggest concern was the fact I walked mere inches away from a sleeping copperhead snake. 
Tumblr media
1 note · View note
Note
Would you be willing to do an imagine where Mycroft and his new girlfriend are out with Sherlock, John and Mary and the readers ex shows up and starts trying to flirt initially but Mycroft steps in and deals with it?
Today was one of those rare days that almost everyone that you cared for was in the same place.
Sherlock, John and Mary were visiting Xander after finishing with a high priority case for Centurion Nova Prime with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Mycroft was planet-side for once for some much needed rest after almost an weeks settling diplomatic disputes with the neighboring planets and you had the month off from shipping cargo clear across the Andromeda galaxy.
It was prefect.
The suns were shining, the atmosphere was at prefect levels, children playing and the Glorknors singing-it was just so picturesque for the shining planet of order in the cosmos.
A little too prefect your mind said darkly as the day continued on hanging out with your friends and Mycroft you know when things are this good something always comes up. 
But it was such a rare day that you told the pessimist thought to shove it and the day merrily danced along.
There were so many things to see on Xander! As someone that gets around to various planets and meet a rainbow of alien people you don’t get much time to explore so it was like a vacation.
Just you, Mycroft, the planet and the company of Sherlock, and the Watsons but you were sure by nightfall you’d have Mycroft all to yourself.
Hopefully.
“Why don’t you ladies wait here why we get the food ya?” John had offered to you and Mary as dinner loomed near.
Together you all had spent the day snacking at various vendors and marveling at what Xander had to offer but it was time for something more substantial that carnivorous Keltup plant kebabs or Fleeckly juices.
So far you’ve walked yourselves well into the other side of city state where stranger people and even stranger cuisine dwelled within the bright sphere of city planet. 
There was a multitude of odd and exciting places to eat but it became a unanimous vote to eat at Cyron’s Terrain Burger Bar and seating was scarce.
Apparently the food was very popular with the Xandarians and tourists alike. It was almost a losing battle but thanks to Mycroft quick eye and John’s skill a table was secured with enough seats at the crowded establishment.
“What an entirely tedious and outdated gesture John,” Sherlock complains as he scans the strip for the best place to eat,“ As you know well enough that chivalry is dead terrain earth concept and unnecessary in this day and age-”
“Sherlock, he means he wants his infamous assassin of a wife and your brother’s traveled girlfriend to fend off the table so you guys have seats to come to,” Mary translated, “Now seriously, you guys need to get a move on or there won’t be any food left to eat!”
Mary makes a shooing motion to send the boys running to get in line leaving you to have a nice girl chat with Mary about girl things. You know, like how to slit a guys neck effectively when he tries to cheat you out of a payment, what eye shadow helps identify security grids, and the latest fashion from Vorge when a shadow appeared on the table top.
“Well that was fast,” you say but instantly stop once you see the figure across from you at the table.
Oh god no. Morphus.
Out of all the ex boyfriends you’ve had in your travels across the galaxy Morphus was probably the worst. He was selfish, lazy, unfaithful and used his species as an excuse for everything.
It was a wonder why you didn’t break up with him sooner if not for the guilt tripping ‘help me save my kind’ spiel Morphus would spout if you tried to leave.
But like all things it did come to an end when you found him cheating on you with another girl so finding his sleazy yellow ass in front of you now is the last thing you want to see.
“You know I am babe,” Morphus says with cheek as he unceremoniously sits his yellow but down in chair closest to you, “So tell me _____, where have you been hiding all this time? I thought I said we were taking a break and I’ve been lonely without you.”
“And you’re going to keep being lonely because I’m not taking your lying ass back,” you bark kicking the Moltain in the shin. “Now get out of that chair because its saved for my boyfriend,” you demand with Mary watching carefully beside you.
“Oh ______,” Morphus teases, “You know you couldn't  go to anyone else after me.” His amethyst eyes dancing with glee as he sweeps his hand with a flourish,“ After all I’m endangered species and besides” he adds with a lowered tone, “You know no one can do you better than me. Because of my three tongues.”
Then more mortifying enough Morphus has the gall to stick out all three and do such a lewd gesture with them that when a spoon harshly stabs one of them into the table top you can’t help but jump.
“And you’re about to become even more so if you don’t stop making such crude actions toward my girlfriend.”
Following the hand still keeping Morphus’ tongues at bay you’re surprised that its Mycroft (honestly you expected that kind of skill from John) and even more turned on.
Morphus is of course struggling to get his tonguesout from under Mycroft’s mighty spoon but Mycroft isn’t having.
“Furthermore, you are not an endangered as Moltains are well populated but your species cousins the Largoains are the endangered ones thanks to your cultures need to exterminate them for being a shade lighter than yourselves due to yoru insane cultural belief that anyone not as dark as you is the devil,” Mycroft explains in s a fashion that sounds more like an executioner’s sentence, “ So that leads me to my next question Mr. Morphus, is how many other people are  you lying to like say, your employer? Do you wonder if I call him right now that you will still have a job after he learns you’re not some exotic associate on the brink of extinction?”
At that moment you’ve never seen Morphus go that pale as he now looks more desperate than ever to escape.
Mycroft lowers his head closer to Morphus and says, “I thought not but if I were you I would make it my number one priority never to bother _____ again or you’ll be out of more than work. Understand?”
Morphus in a panic nods to which Mycroft releases one of the tongues and the slimly yellow bastard leaves like his antenna is covered in beezles.
With Morphus out of the chair Mycroft dusts it and takes his rightful place beside you. “Sorry it took so long _____, but we had an issue with the form of payment since it would appear that here at Cyron’s they only accept these weird things called 'money’,” says as he helps Sherlock and John pass out the food.
“Oh, it’s fine,” you reply still just a bit star struck at Mycroft’s actions.
Sherlock and Mary keep up the conversation for most of the night while John jumps in every now and again. Not that you were paying much attention as you were to Mycroft and him you.
The way he looked at you and how his leg bumped up against yours.   
Now you really hoped that you had Mycroft alone to yourself tonight. Otherwise you think that you just might combust.
25 notes · View notes
benniledesignerbox · 6 years
Text
The Lie Factory
Factories exist for many reasons. One of these is to produce lies. I happened to eavesdrop on a conversation between a roving reporter called Andy and the owner of The Life Factory called Atom. Below is an extract of the conversation. I was deep in my sleep dreaming about The Cloud when the incident reminded me of Dr. Seuss in his “big, blue and beautiful domain.” I am reproducing the story as much as I can remember it: it is lengthy so I will break it into several essays over the course of unintelligible time.
Tumblr media
Pictured: The Lie Factory at The Cloud can be found at benniledesignerbox.com.
Atom: Theoretically, we don’t exist. Andy: How do you mean? Atom: We exist only after the action. Andy: Huh? Can you explain? Atom: Okay, it looks like I’ve got to tell you a story about our existence. Do you have time? Andy: I sure do. I am all yours. Atom: Thanks. The story started when we were created by our employer. Let’s just call him G. G was Created when you were created at about the same time. I don’t have the details but G tells me that G started everything although I find it hard to believe that G could do that much. Anyway, G said one day that I came about because G was overworked. G needed to subcontract the work which seemed to have overflowed G’s beneficence. G created this factory. It is called The Lie Factory and it is Real not a euphemism or imagination. The Lie Factory, or should I call it “TLF” began with me as the first employee. I came to work one day but nothing happened so I called G. I told G I was bored and I needed a paycheck. G agreed and G immediately attended to my complaint. Next thing I knew, I was swamped with work. There were so many lies on one single day, I thought, I’d be a rich entity. Andy: How do you mean? I am listening. Atom: Well, as you would soon know, TLF exists only when a lie is actioned. In other words, a lie cannot exist in our customers’ minds. It has got to be done. It cannot be an intention. A lie is an action that is known only to our customers. Andy: I don’t understand. This seems like a paradox. Can you explain? Atom: Okay. Let me try. When you think, you are already lying but this doesn’t count. Andy: Huh? Atom: You think you are real but you aren’t sure but you accept your existence. It appears real to you. Get it? Andy: Yes. I see what you’re trying to get at. It seems tautological like “Where was G before but never mind, let’s just move on …. Atom: So our customers think they are real. It is fine with us because we don’t get credit for that. G said that for us to receive credits, the customers must think that they were created by G. That isn’t a lie because G says it isn’t so we aren’t credited. Andy: Hang on, you must believe G?
Atom: Well he did give me the job and besides who am I to question what G thinks. G is G and whatever G says, we follow. I have to trust G because of my factory and paychecks, a selfish motive I realize but I am not lying so I guess, G won’t know. Can I continue?
Andy: Of course, as you wish.
Atom: We are credited as soon as our customers use that first lie to begin the second lie. Then from the second lie, our customers build on that one, so on and so forth. After a while, when there are so many lies, we don’t get credits.
Andy: Why? Atom: Because the lies now appear to be truths. We are not paid for truths. We are paid when customers use our factory to lie. Andy: So you are saying that your factory produces or manufactures lies? Atom: I didn’t say that. What I said is that we get credits when our customers lie. They don’t decide to lie until they lie. When they lie, we get a credit because our factory is responsible for that lie. Andy: So you are saying that in order for your factory to exist, and be paid, your customers must lie first. Atom: Yes indeed. It is part of the contract with G. And, our contract is renewable. If our performance isn’t up to G’s expectation, then G would look for another sub-contractor. Andy: So okay, your customers lie and you get credits, and your factory is established. In other words, you get to prove that you produce many lies in order for your contract to be renewed. Atom: Correct. But I’d have to clarify a few things here. When we complained to G that our factory can’t begin without his help, G helped us by creating the products. The first product is a legitimate lie. This lie concerns the existence or non-existence of customers, our first customer base in order to operate. The second lie is a manufactured lie. This lie concerns a story that most of G’s customers' buy-in. It is a sensational story about sacrifice. Most of G’s base of customers bought this story and G is very happy about it. The story soon evolved into many other stories, and this is where our factory started cranking. There are more lies more than ever now, and now, we are experimenting with a new product and if G approves it, we shall launch it. Andy: Slow down. You are going far too fast. Let me recall what you said just now: You said that a lie happens only after it is done: that your customers don’t think about lying but do the lying. I can’t really see the difference because you can’t actually lie unless you think about it first? Am I wrong in this? Atom: No, you are not wrong but, yes, you are correct. Our customers’ actions are seen by us so we can determine that the lie was performed. So any action that is considered a lie, we get credited. Andy: Strange you said “any” action. What if the person made a sincere donation, say to a beggar, she met on the street. Is that a lie? Atom: Yes, it is a lie because G has a way of checking whether the action or actions of G’s customers are approved or disapproved by G. Andy: Now, how does G do that? Atom: I don’t know. All I know is that G knows. It seems G is able to know an action before an action and when the action is something that G knows he disapproves, G calls it a lie. When that happens, we get credit. Atom: So you don’t actually need to do anything. It is G who does all the work and determines whether it is a lie for you to get credits. It looks like you are on a junket? Andy: I won’t exactly put it that way however, I can understand how you are seeing this.
It is slightly more complicated than that. As I said, when G created us, and G created the first lie, G had a plan. But G keeps the plan close to G’s chest. I am not at liberty to discuss this topic further because there is a condition attached to this contract. Andy: Ah ha! The plot thickens. And, what is it, if I may ask you? Atom: There is only one condition if we are not to break this contract. The condition is called Covenant. By that, we mean that we exist because of this Covenant. We get credits for G’s subcontracting work. The first rule in the Covenant is: “Don’t ask, just believe.” Andy: Okay, I get it. It looks like some non-disclosure corporate BS but hey, it’s your job and I respect what you do. But I need to take a toilet break: Can we sort of take-a-breather and come back soon? --- Story continues.
0 notes
aggievoices · 6 years
Text
Building Yourself Up When Job Hunting Gets You Down
Writing and Artwork by UC Davis Alumna Lily Troup
(content warning: depression)
Tumblr media
“Postgraduate Depression” should be a senior seminar course, because job hunting after college made me feel like I was already having a midlife crisis.  
To be clear, I didn’t take my time at university for granted: I worked part time, studied hard to maintain my GPA, and even interned in the capital through the UC Davis Washington Program. I knew from the start that a career would not wait patiently for my graduation; I had understood the “impracticality” and uncertainty of my studio art degree when I declared my major.
Although I accepted this “fate,” I often wondered if I had made the right decision (a feeling I imagine all students have felt at one point or another). Every post-interview rejection, every automated “we cannot offer you a position” email, and every unanswered job application felt like a hit to my mental stamina. The truth is, job hunting is full-time work—but because I no longer had a daily routine like I did throughout university, I needed to create my own structure. This realization helped me refocus, and although the journey hasn’t been easy, I know that I'm moving forward once more.
Fighting Self-Sabotage
When the Job Search Train first left the platform, I had no routine, no income, and I felt like I had lost my purpose. I was constantly disappointed in myself for feeling as though I had let my family and friends down. For every rejection, I believed that I was unworthy of becoming a productive member of society. Furthermore, I grew angry with myself because I felt that I had no right to complain. I recognized my depression made me feel more selfish, and I didn’t want to be that way. My mind went to some dark places.
Better Days
Thankfully, I also have days where I don’t want to melt into bed and stare at the ceiling. I realized I needed to utilize every good day and be as productive as possible. I reached out to old professors, friends, even friends’ parents to ask them if they knew of any job or volunteer opportunities. One of my weaknesses is wanting to take on everything by myself. However, I have learned that people genuinely want to help.
That help can come from surprising places: after pushing myself to keep going, I found a volunteer opportunity through a friend, and I received encouraging advice from a woman I work for who, was also an art major in college. I continued to do my own research and also landed opportunities to share my artwork.
Then, right as I wrote this article, I landed a job at a great independent coffee shop. While coffee is not directly in the art field, I realized it relates to my major because I love to work on my art at cafes while sipping on a nice iced mocha. Coffee shops provide me an environment that fuels my creativity, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the world of coffee.
During this process, I had to remember what made me happy: these opportunities, outside of pure job searching, brought a routine back into my life and reminded me that my degree had been working toward something.
Pushing Through
This post is not intended to be a guide on postgraduate careers, but a moment of self-reflection: during my job search I sunk to the bottom, but with the support of friends and family, I picked myself up and kept moving.
Know that if you have ever experienced any of the feelings or situations mentioned, I sympathize. Contrary to what others may say, it’s not wrong to feel like the world is against you or that you’ve given your all to get nothing back; however, it’s also up to the individual to figure out how to combat these feelings and fight for the future they deserve. Remember that our inner demons are not the thoughts of those who care about us the most, and that potential employers don’t know us beyond a resume, a cover letter, or a 30-minute be-all and end-all interview.
So hold onto your hope and keep filling out those applications—because the the more job eggs you have in your basket, the better chance one of them will hatch.
Lily Troup graduated UC Davis in 2017 with a B.A. in Studio Art. While at Davis, she found her love for traditional printmaking and earned an internship for The Washington Printmakers Gallery in Washington, DC. She emphasizes in traditional black and white illustrations of original character art. To learn more about Lily, follow her on Instagram @squidinamasonjar or visit lilytroup.com
“If you or a friend are in a similar chapter of your life, know that you’re not alone,” says Lily.
CAREER RESOURCES:
View California-based career resources at https://icc.ucdavis.edu/research/what-can-i-do.htm. If you are a UC Davis student or graduate, you can also  find free career advising and workshops at the UCD Internship and Career Center on campus (https://icc.ucdavis.edu/index.htm).  
See what other graduates are doing (and find potential networking opportunities) with UC Davis’ What Can I Do With My Major blog (https://www.ucdavis.edu/majors/blog )
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
For a comprehensive list of California resources, visit http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/default.asp.
For national resources, vist https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help/index.html
0 notes
thebiggamehunter · 7 years
Text
New Post has been published on Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter's Blog
New Post has been published on http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/it-starts-with-courage/
It Starts With Courage
Tumblr media
With appreciation to Lance Secretan
  I remember my first day of kindergarten many years ago at PS 90 in The
Tumblr media
Bronx, NY. My mother was an immigrant who spoke accented English, taking me to class two blocks from our apartment on The Grand Concourse. She and my teacher walked me to my desk and offered me the loveliest look that I could imagine. My mother told me that she would be back a little later to pick me up and that my teacher would be looking out for me.
After a while, I learned another lesson. The lesson was that if I were to succeed in school, my job was to shit up, do what I was told, regurgitate a bunch of things when I was told to do it . . . OR ELSE I wouldn’t get into a good college.
Some years later, I attended CCNY in Harlem. I attended my classes and lectures but quickly learned that the lesson of college I was being given was, “Shut up. Do what you are told. Regurgitate a bunch of stuff when we tell you OR ELSE,” I won’t get a good job.
And when I found my job in recruiting upon graduation, I learned a similar lesson– “Shut up. Do what you are told. Regurgitate a bunch of
Tumblr media
stuff when we tell you OR ELSE . . . “We’ll fire you! Is it any wonder that we live in times where people seem puzzled when they dedicate themselves to their employer, do their best and eventually are brought into a conference room and laid off. I have listened to many executives and staff alike lament about having done a great job and feeling betrayed.
“I did a great job!”
“My reviews were uniformly exceptional”
I keep hearing my own voice complaining about getting an B in a class when I thought I deserved an A. There was nothing I could say that would get the grade changed but I was seeking approval from an instructor who disagreed with my view of my work.
Yes, we all have bosses and teachers who evaluate our work. As a headhunter, I reported to the clients who paid me (and job hunters who didn’t pay me thought I reported to them), as well as to a business owner who demanded perfection from my work that was never achievable.
But the truth was I forgot the most important person who was part of my org structure.
Me.
You see, I fell prey to all the industrial conditioning I had received growing up wanting me to be “cooperative” or “a team player.” I lost track of myself with the push to be selfish in order to achieve sales goals (actual sales goals and, before that, grades).  I succumbed to the motivation (the external pressure to comply with institutions and systems that were making sausage) of the systems I lived and worked in and lost my inspiration (the internal desire, independent of external pressure for conformity).
I became a high achiever who really didn’t care but did great work. I became someone who kept looking for unique ways to do what I did differently than others yet still meet my performance goals.
I hated it because all I was doing was making “artisanal sausage” and not doing what I really wanted. Maybe that willingness to sacrifice is part of being adult. I just never really found the correct percentage of sacrifice vs. self-satisfaction.
I hope you have.
I was introduced to Lance Secretan and a model he has called, “The CASTLE® Principles”
Courage
Authenticity
Service
Truthfulness
Love
Effectiveness.
  Castle.
  For a while, I wrestled with the idea of authenticity and truthfulness being redundant terms until I grew to see that authenticity was internal truthfulness or being genuine whereas truthfulness was how I might relate with the world at large.
However, as in the word, “Castle,” It truly does start with courage. It takes courage to face oneself and change.        It’s why I now coach instead of headhunt.
As a headhunter, I found too many instances where my truthfulness was encouraged to be compromised and, thus, my truthfulness disappear. It was hard to watch a large check evaporate into thin air after doing so much work.
I found not caring about the people I represented or my clients. The love was lost in what I did and in the people I was hired to serve.
As a result, my effectiveness started to wane, all because I lacked the courage to change.
  It started with courage and the desire to live life on my terms according to these principles. I can help you, too.
  © The Big Game Hunter, Inc. Asheville, NC  2017
  Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for
Tumblr media
what seems like one hundred years. His work involves executive job search coaching, business life coaching for self-employed people who have a lunatic for a boss and leadership coaching. He is the host of “Job Search Radio” and “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” both available through iTunes and Stitcher.
Are you interested in coaching from me?  Email me [email protected] and put the word, “Coaching” in the subject line.
Do you have a question you would like me to answer? Pay $25 via PayPal to [email protected]
JobSearchCoachingHQ.com offers great advice for job hunters—videos, my books and guides to job hunting, podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest answering your questions.
Connect with me on LinkedIn. Like me on Facebook.
You can order a copy of “Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems” for Kindle for $.99 and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS Resume Advice” and “Interview Preparation.”
0 notes