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dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…
dresdencodak: The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis). Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain. Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…

dresdencodak:

The main cast of my Dark Science series! I thought I’d put a little thing together for new readers.

  1. Kimiko Serena Ross - Autodidactic inventor. Holding a dishonorary degree in science, Kim Ross has, by age 22, created many wonderful abominations, but the most notable are her elaborate prostheses she now requires to live (having been blown up by time-colonists in a previous tale). She’s currently looking for a new career in the magnificent (and horrendously bureaucratic city of Nephilopolis).
  2. Vonnie Awning - Analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy. Terribly fashionable. Terribly obsessed with social networking.
  3. Kaito Kusanagi - Kimiko’s estranged father and legendary architect of Nephilopolis. World renowned as the greatest roboticist in history, his designs were so sophisticated that no one else knows how to effectively reproduce them. Since his death, he’s been elevated to a near-saintly status in Nephilopolis, much to the displeasure of Kim.
  4. Balthazar Bogan - Lecturer and last remnant of the  Anthropology Department in Nephilopolis. His loyalties are convoluted at best.
  5. Alisa Caspar - Award-winning author and certified celebrity. Caspar has some connection to Kim’s father, Kaito, but much remains unclear.
  6. Mathias Melchior - Agent of the Department of Opposition, which regulates all menace within the city. Has his hands in many plots. Also unreasonably tall.
  7. Amon Harthrow - Head of the Department of Congruity, which regulates all order and civility in Nephilopolis. He is not fond of mezzodes (cyborgs) in the city.
  8. Thomas Caspar - Alisa Caspar’s son and head of the Department of Secrets. Knows more about Kim than he rightfully should.
  9. Asmodea Harthrow - Amon’s daughter and head of the Department of Distraction, offering new and exciting ways to never address one’s own existential dread.
  10. The Dark Scientists - Shadowy figures in the underbelly of the city, the Dark Scientists oppose to the bureaucratic scientific establishment above. Recently they’ve taken an interest in Kim, who has been exhibiting peculiar traits. Their exact number is uncertain.

Guys, just read this webcomic, okay?  I adore it.  ^^  For my AO friends, you know that this is a world where Theodora Kingstreet escaped to…

The Jam Cellar offers weary Washingtonians the escape of swing dancing

lindyloowho:

Red Solo cups lined the piano-turned-table on a Tuesday night. Loud music echoed through the houses nooks and crannies. The place crawled with young people standing in dresses, skirts, polos.

OKAY WOW! On the one hand, yay good press for my favorite venue! On the other hand, yeah. 

Guys. It’s not the awkward-white-people-dance. I mean, it can be. Lord knows I can be the awkwardest of awkward white people. But also (and I know I’m preaching to the choir here), it can be so, so graceful.

But also, this is just one of those stereotypes that I think is harmful to the history of the dance. As great as Rebecca Brightly’s Top 10 Reasons Every Nerdy Person Should Learn to Dance is, the lindy hop is not a dance for white nerds. 

It’s a joyful dance for everybody. That’s what so great about it.

PREACH! 

WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview

A CBS news segment provided a rare moment of good news stemming from Monday’s devastating tornado when a storm victim found her dog during an on-air interview. Barbara Garcia of Moore, Okla.was describing her home’s destruction to CBS’s Anna Werner when someone off-camera spotted something move in the rubble.

I am totally blubbing right now.  This is like hurt-happy.  So much destruction and that poor woman feeling grateful for surviving but sad to have lost her dog and then bam - there he is. Okay. I am die.  

sirburt:

Most amazing video of the Oklahoma 2013 tornado. Totally brutal. 

I’ve lived in the Midwest for almost my whole life (save 4 years in North Pole, Alaska) and tornadoes have always been a constant.  I’ve seen many (although nothing like this).  We used to be able to watch funnel clouds dip down and return to the wall cloud from our back porch when we lived up on a hill.  

It’s horrifying to see how destructive they are, that they can and do take lives every year even when we do everything right.  

But when the storms roll in, I feel this intense sense of wonder and excitement.  I know I should be afraid, but I’m not.  I’m thrilled, I’m drawn to it.  It’s invigorating! 

A mixture of dread for lives lost, the awe and thrill of the raw power of the Midwest’s tempestuous summer skies.

Do you cry when you spar or fight?

she-kicks-she-throws:

I was speaking with a fellow high-ranking woman martial artist with significant high-level competition experience over 17 years, and in her experience it was fairly common for women to cry during an intense sparring session.  

In her opinion, this was not a show of weakness, but a common and totally acceptable reaction to intensity and didn’t actually diminish the woman’s effectiveness in the ring.  

This jives with studies about how and why women cry when they are angry. However, in some male-dominated spaces, crying during sparring can be interpreted as weakness or not being ready or confident.  

What are your experiences with crying during martial arts sparring? Have you ever cried when sparing?  How did you feel about it? How did others take it?  

I was stunned and startled when I started crying during the ultimate test of my Hapkido during my black belt testing in October.  Four men came at me with various attacks (pushes, punches, grabs, kicks) and my task was to improvise to use my techniques to neutralize them one by one, over and over and over.  

A few seconds in, my ki-yaps turned to screams and sobs.  My opponents were confused, but complied as I kept waving them to continue through the tears.  In my head, I was mortified.  So embarrassed.  I just couldn’t believe I was crying during my black belt test - the moment where I had to prove myself as a warrior of control and fluidity, an example of calm and practice, a woman confident.

The judges stopped me and asked if I was alright.  I tried to assure them that I absolutely was and that I wanted to continue.  They allowed me to and before I knew it, it was over.

I heard second-hand that the judges had no idea what to do with me - only one person spoke out on my behalf concerning the crying.  He seemed to understand that martial arts was an expressive experience for me.  

Afterwards, to my face, many people who’d observed my testing said things about me being brave, or impressive, and that they were proud. But all I could feel for a long time was that they were being cajoling and pitying, because I was still so embarrassed.

In my head and heart I knew that I did good hapkido, that crying shouldn’t matter, that I didn’t give up, that I absolutely was not afraid, or sad, or hurt.  What I felt was ferociousness.  

Now that I’ve heard that it’s not all that uncommon, that crying isn’t a bizarre reaction to intensity, I feel like that insecurity is finally leaving.

callmekitto: alexandraerin: silverilly: bookshop: mydaywithd: Julie D’Aubigny was a 17th-century bisexual French opera singer and fencing master who killed or wounded at least ten men in life-or-death duels, performed nightly shows on the biggest and most highly-respected opera stage in the world, and once took the Holy Orders just so that she could sneak into a convent and shag a nun. (via Feminism) bisexual opera singer who killed ten men and snuck into a convent to shag a nun. Just so y’all know, she later set that convent on fire so she and that nun could sneak out. And she seduced one of the men she’d dueled. Also, dueling was a serious crime during her life, but the king of France essentially overturned her conviction on the grounds that the relevant law specifically referred to men.  how has there never been a million stories about this badass
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callmekitto:

alexandraerin:

silverilly:

bookshop:

mydaywithd:

Julie D’Aubigny was a 17th-century bisexual French opera singer and fencing master who killed or wounded at least ten men in life-or-death duels, performed nightly shows on the biggest and most highly-respected opera stage in the world, and once took the Holy Orders just so that she could sneak into a convent and shag a nun.

(via Feminism)

bisexual opera singer who killed ten men and snuck into a convent to shag a nun.

Just so y’all know, she later set that convent on fire so she and that nun could sneak out. And she seduced one of the men she’d dueled.

Also, dueling was a serious crime during her life, but the king of France essentially overturned her conviction on the grounds that the relevant law specifically referred to men. 

how has there never been a million stories about this badass
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