We need more examples of genuinely happy, healthy relationships on TV and in books and films. No more of this bullshit about how real, epic love is painful and impossible or deadly. Love should not break you! Love should make you stronger. Show me two friends who make each other feel safe and confident and empowered. Show me a couple that respects each other fully and without question. Show me a couple that has FUN. Show me a couple that support each other. Show me a couple where their issues and conflicts are resolved with love, respect and kindness. Show me healthy love. Happy love. Real love.

The basics of Research Methods. There’s so much to learn in AS and more is added in the second year. In an exam you could be asked to state which hypothesis is being used in an example, which experimental method would be best for a situation, or to create your own research plan.

People horrifically fucking up facts about evolution and genetics too support their stupid beliefs or to seem smart and “rational” is probably one of my big pet peeves 

Yeah. An enormous number of racists, misogynists, homophobes and transphobes I’ve met eventually whip out something about evolutionary biology and they never, ever, ever, ever have the slightest shadow of even a half-right idea what any of it means or ever cite a claim ever actually made by a scientific study.

Here’s a quick handy reference list or anyone who isn’t sure:

At the end of the day it’s the little things. (via offtheocean)

15 Meditation Tips

Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area. Below are some practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation over the long term:

1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting aside specific time (preferably two times a day) to be still.

2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice. 3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward” and brings added attention to the body.

4) Meditate with purpose. Meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged.

5) Notice when frustration creep up on you. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go.

6) Experiment. Be experimental and try different types of meditation. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc.

7) Feel your body parts. Take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs).

8) Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Make sure it is not the same room where you do work, exercise, or sleep. Place candles and other spiritual helps in the room to help you feel at ease.

9)  Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can every day, and then let it go!

10) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being present” at various points throughout the day is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation habits.

11) Make sure you will not be disturbed. For example, if you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring then you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.

12) Do NOT stress. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards. Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.

13) Do it together. Meditating with a partner or friend can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin!

14) Meditate early in the morning. Without a doubt, early morning is an ideal time to practice: it is quieter, your mind is not filled with the usual clutter, and there is less chance you will be disturbed. Make it a habit to get up half an hour earlier to meditate.

15) Be Grateful at the end. Once your practice is through, spend 2-3 minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind’s ability to focus.

Source: http://zenhabits.net/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind/ (Abridged)

For those who have papers to write, here is something to make you feel better

@infiniteadventureswithyou

The funniest sad story I ever heard. Or… the saddest funny story. Or both.

Elevated Bus That Drives Above Traffic Jams

if this fucking thing started training over me while i was driving i’d slam the breaks and kill everybody behind me

Elevated Bus That Drives Above Traffic Jams

if this fucking thing started training over me while i was driving i’d slam the breaks and kill everybody behind me

I dunno if y’all are following the official Terry Pratchett page on facebook or not but ever since the US election results came out they’ve been posting text images like these:

[Quote: “Always remember that the crowd that applauds your coronation is the same crowd that will applaud your beheading. People like a show.”]

and honestly the thought of Terry Pratchett throwing shade from beyond the grave is all that’s keep me going some days.

I saw one comment from saying something along the lines “well you shouldn’t post this, you don’t know how he’d feel about it”

No. If you read ANY of his books it’s clear how he’d feel about this nonsense.

I saw those comments and laughed my ass of because Terry was, and remains, a bastion of righteous rage and hope in a world weakened by fear and hatred. He told us plainly, Suffer Not Injustice—to take light into dark places and to care for those in need, not because it is kind or good but because it is right.

He’d be going absolutely fucking SPARE if he were alive to see the world as it is today. And I don’t just mean over the US elections, I mean Brexit, I mean Aleppo—the whole god damn world—he’d be going utterly Stoneface-I can’t be having with this-Librarian Poo.

And he’d damn well do something about it too.

NGL there’s been a 3rd thought in the back of my head when I’m wondering if I’m doing enough and if anything I do matters that whispers with wide-eyed horror–

“–but Terry Pratchett would go SPARE.”

The only upside to 2016 is that Pterry may in fact resurrect out of pure, unbridled rage.

“And ANOTHER thing…”

lately I am constantly reminded of the conversation between Granny Weatherwax and Mightily Oats in Carpe Jugulum:

“It’s not as simple as that. It’s not a black and white issue. There are so many shades of gray.” “Nope.” “Pardon?” “There’s no grays, only white that’s got grubby. I’m surprised you don’t know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That’s what sin is.” “It’s a lot more complicated than that–” “No. It ain’t. When people say things are a lot more complicated than that, they means they’re getting worried that they won’t like the truth. People as things, that’s where it starts.” “Oh, I’m sure there are worse crimes–” “But they starts with thinking about people as things…”

Classy (via classymuthaafuka)