ic

Writer Notes: The Wicked + the Divine 25

Spoilers, obv. Let’s just dive in, eh? Jamie’s Cover One of the interesting things about comics is the solicitation process. As such, a sub-section of the fandom will be aware of a cover before it comes out (or the month before it comes out if it’s a comic which puts a NEXT MONTH cover in […]




ic

Out Today: The Wicked + the Divine 26 and Doctor Aphra 4

A big issue, this, both in terms of events and pages – it’s 3 pages longer than normal due to (er) me writing it longer and not realising until it was too late, and then Jamie adding an extra page for extra motorbike. Something for everyone in this, I think. Also HOT NINE PANEL GRIDS. […]




ic

Writer Notes: The Wicked + the Divine 26

Spoilers, obv. This felt like a big issue to us. I mean, in a literal sense it was a big issue. We normally are 20 pages of art (plus cheats). This is 23 pages of art, due to me completely fucking up and writing a 22 page script extremely early, thinking I’d go back to […]




ic

Out NowThe Complete Phonogram, The Wicked + the Divine 28, Doctor Aphra 6 and Mercury Heat 12

Cripes. What a big week. For more details, I direct you to my newsletter which is best for this kind of thing, but in Brief… The Complete Phonogram. 504 pages comprising all three volumes (the first coloured for the first time), all the eighty-odd previously uncollected B-sides and all in an oversized hardback format. If […]




ic

Writer Notes: the Wicked + the Divine 455

Spoilers, obv. The specials have been quite the time, having several ways to stress everyone the hell out. The amount of work that goes into a special is far more than any single script can justify in cold commercial terms. It’s lucky that I’m only choosing periods that I’m interested in researching to death. I […]




ic

Shaded Metallic Thread Sets – They’re Fabulous!

Last week, I briefly mentioned the shaded metallic thread sets from Au Ver a Soie that I’m so happy to …




ic

I Am Not Real: Artificial Intelligence in the Needlework World

The topic of AI in the needlework world has been on my radar for well over a year. But I’ve …





ic

Blog Migration Notice




ic

Essential Election Day Vote-Saving TipFrom Jay Ponti, Save Your Vote's Director of Voter Justice

Unless it’s absolutely necessary, do not accept a provisional ballot. Watch this clip from our recent Save Your Vote broadcast to find out why — and what to do if someone tries to shunt you to a provisional "placebo" ballot.... READ MORE






ic

ININ & Strictly Limited Games Sale Thread

 I just noticed ININ Games is having a Gaming Season Sale on Amazon starting today. 
 
Here are the deals:
 
 
 
 
 
Note:  I would jump on this since who knows how many Egret II mini's are left in-stock and this year is TAITO's anniversary, this is an insanely good price on the arcade unit and controllers.
 
 
 
  • -->




    ic

    $50 Numskull SEGA Shenmue Ryo Hazuki Figure 10" 28cm Collectible Replica Statue Amazon

    $50 Numskull SEGA Shenmue Ryo Hazuki Figure 10" 28cm Collectible Replica Statue Amazon

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YD53SJR




    ic

    $70 Xbox/Microsoft Gift Card (Digital Delivery) - $59 (Can be used to buy Xbox/Microsoft hardware too)

    Eneba has $70 Xbox Gift Card (Digital Delivery) for around $59 after applying code X70US in cart.

    • Note: Price is after service fees and applying code X70US in cart.

    You can purchase the code(s) and redeem to add balance to your Microsoft account.

    • Both the Microsoft and Xbox cards work just the same. Once redeemed to your Microsoft account, you can spend your balance at Microsoft Store online, on Windows, and on Xbox. You can get the latest apps, games, movies, TV shows, and Surface, Xbox, and accessories. (Source)

    Add balance to your Microsoft account and use to purchase items from Microsoft Store online. Black Friday deals from Microsoft Store can be found here.
     

    Note:

    • Price is after service fees and applying discount code X70US.
    • Deals ends tonight.
    • Eneba codes usually sell out fast.
    • Xbox Gift cards do not currently work at physical Microsoft Stores.
    • You currently cannot buy Microsoft 365 with a gift card.





    ic

    Tiny Microphone

    I know that we'd all like some come-together-in-unity rhetoric, but on Morning Joseph (Biden's favorite show!) they're reading Maureen Dowd columns about the evil transes and, you know, we're back to the bad days of the early aughts.




    ic

    DDT is a Deep-Sea Toxic Time Capsule

    Between 1948 and 1961, barges laden with industrial waste, including high concentrations of once-ubiquitous agricultural insecticide, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), were indiscriminately discharged into the Pacific Ocean.…

    The post DDT is a Deep-Sea Toxic Time Capsule first appeared on Deep Sea News.





    ic

    Discovering Your North Star: Crafting an Inspiring and Authentic Mission

    Have you ever felt totally uninspired by those vague corporate mission statements? The ones that say things like “To be the world’s most trusted provider of integrated solutions”? Or by those vague New Year’s resolutions? The ones that say things like “Get in shape” or “Be a better person”? Blah blah blah. What does that ... Read more

    The post Discovering Your North Star: Crafting an Inspiring and Authentic Mission appeared first on LifeHack.




    ic

    A Practical Guide to Understanding Anxiety and Managing It Effectively

    Anxiety is something most of us are familiar with in one way or another. It can feel like a storm inside your mind, making even simple things feel overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are more common than ever, and while they can feel insurmountable, the right understanding and tools can make all the difference. In this article, ... Read more

    The post A Practical Guide to Understanding Anxiety and Managing It Effectively appeared first on LifeHack.




    ic

    Mastering Rapport: Overcoming Challenges in Digital and In-Person Communication

    Rapport is something we all seek, even if we don’t think about it every day. It’s that sense of connection, of feeling understood, and of moving smoothly with others in sync. Whether in our professional lives or at home, rapport matters—and it matters a lot more than we might realize. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, ... Read more

    The post Mastering Rapport: Overcoming Challenges in Digital and In-Person Communication appeared first on LifeHack.




    ic

    Youth & Criminal Justice in Scotland: The Young Person’s Journey

    Youth & Criminal Justice in Scotland: The Young Person’s Journey is a new, interactive online resource that aims to simplify how the youth and criminal justice system works for under 18s in Scotland. The resource was officially launched by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, on 26 January 2016.

    read more




    ic

    We're seeking a talented Service Designer

    Iriss is seeking a Service Designer for its Pilotlight programme to support the continued development and delivery of self-directed support (SDS) in Scotland. 

    Pilotlight works with co-design teams of people to design pathways to self-directed support.  Now in its fourth year, the Pilotlight programme uses a design approach to demonstrate how to design support for seldom heard groups, provide more personalised and appropriate services and increase the marketplace of support providers.

    read more




    ic

    The Vision and Strategy for Social Services: progress report

    Social Services in Scotland: a shared vision and strategy for 2015-2020 was launched on World Social Work Day in March 2015 by the Social Work Services Strategic Forum.

    A progress report summarising the range of work which is underway to implement the strategy has now been published. While this is a five year strategy, it is clear that even at this early stage real progress is being made collectively by all parts of the sector.  

    Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, who chairs the Strategic Forum, said:

    read more




    ic

    Peer support roles in mental health services

    We've published Insight 31 - Peer support roles in mental health services - which was written by Louise Christie, Network Manager (Policy and Development) at Scottish Recovery Network. 

    The print version has been newly designed to reflect our new brand and colours. I think you'll agree that it looks rather lovely. Print copies are available on request

    read more




    ic

    If You Spot This $5 Italian Find at Trader Joe's, Grab 2 (It's "So Delicious!")

    You can add this cheese to pasta, pizza, or charcuterie boards. READ MORE...






    ic

    Old age doesn’t come alone a case study on the impact of the ageing population on a Scottish local authority’s care at home service.

    This research was undertaken by Stuart Fordyce as part of an MSc in Integrated Service Improvement (Health and Social Care) at the University of Edinburgh. It considers the impact of a rapidly ageing population on a Scottish local authority and its attempt to shift the focus to a more contemporary service provision. The aim is to explore what factors are inhibiting the effectiveness of enablement. Using a case study approach the research explored whether: (i) enablement is wholly effective in addressing the increase in current service demands; (ii) the approach adopted by the local authority is undermined as services are now over extended and are attempting to address competing objectives, and; (iii) the paradigmatic change across the sector in the future will materialise if organisations cannot create the capacity and infrastructure to enable change to occur




    ic

    Older people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds Accessing health and social care services in south GLasgow

    The Advocacy Project works with older people and other groups across Glasgow and Lanarkshire to ensure their voice is heard, their needs met and their legal rights safeguarded. The organisation identified a low take up of their own service by older people from BME communities, which was generally held to reflect the wider picture in Glasgow in relation to health and social work services. This report was commissioned by them to examine barriers to access to services specifically for older people from BME communities in Glasgow South, where there is a high concentration of people from BME communities.




    ic

    Exploring family carer involvement in forensic mental health services

    While there is a growing body of research about carers’ experiences generally, the needs and experience of those who support individuals in forensic (secure) mental health services (forensic carers) have been neglected Support in Mind Scotland (SiMS) and the Forensic Network commissioned this study from the University of Central Lancashire to examine what they identified as ‘significant gaps and inconsistencies’, focusing in particular on the views and experiences of forensic carers.




    ic

    Leading change in supervison: messages from practice

    This report describes the rationale, process and learning from a project led by IRISS which explored the topic of supervision with a group of six partners from across the social services sector. The purpose of this report is to share the learning gathered through the project to provide some evidence, inspiration, and pointers for those interested in improving supervision. Key points from the report can be used to prompt reflection and discussion with teams, to review current supervision practice and to help plan improvements.




    ic

    Evaluation of sixteen women's community justice services in Scotland

    In 2013-15, the Scottish Government funded 16 projects proposed by criminal justice partners across Scotland to develop community services for women who offend. Developments were based on existing service provision and to ensure changes could be sustained locally at the end of the funding. Funding varied in amount and timeframes. Most of the projects were undertaken by local authority criminal justice social work1 (CJSW) departments with partner providers, including public and third sector agencies. The national evaluation examined how the 16 women’s community justice services (WCJSs) were implemented and to what extent they contributed towards positive outcomes for women. A further aim was to build local capacity for self-evaluation in WCJSs. Findings were drawn from two phases of interviews with practitioners and women, secondary documents, and quantitative data for 1,778 women who were in the WCJSs between April and December 2014. This included outcomes data for 406 women.




    ic

    What helps women who have learning disabilities get checked for cervical cancer?

    This is a paper produced as part of the PROP2 (Practitioner Research: Outcomes and Partnership) programme, a partnership between the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh and IRISS that was about health and social care in Scotland. This paper was written by Elaine Monteith from ENABLE Scotland who participated in the PROP2 programme. What this research paper explores: All women are asked to go to the doctor every few years to get a check for cancer but women who have a learning disability don’t go for these checks as often as other women. The paper explore what barriers there are for women attending for checks and also looks at what could be done to encourage women them to attend.




    ic

    Harnessing knowledge for innovative and cost-effective practice: the role of the intermediary

    Explores how the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) promotes the delivery of cost effective social services in Scotland that will support the achievement of positive outcomes for people accessing support. It identifies a number of principles that underpin the work of IRISS and suggests how these facilitate innovative evidence-informed practice. The approach to evidence-informed practice comprises four pillars of activity. The first pillar focuses on improving awareness and access to evidence and is exemplified by the Learning Exchange, the IRISS Insights series, and audio and video recording. The second pillar refers to strengthening the evidence base and is discussed in the context of work on self-directed support. Improving skills and confidence to use evidence forms the third pillar and is represented by work on data visualisation and peer support for self-evaluation. The final pillar is embedding evidence in organisations, through co-production, creating spaces to test and challenge evidence, and through the development of evidence-based products. Supporting people to share knowledge, learn from each other and to collectively produce new knowledge and solutions is an innovative approach but also one which should be cost-effective. Pre-print. Published in Evidence and Policy, 2014 (10)4 as Embedding research into practice through innovation and creativity: a case study from social services




    ic

    Impact of antiretroviral therapy on liver disease progression and mortality in patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C: systematic review and meta-analysis

    Systematic review produced by the EPPI-Centre in 2015.This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of HAART and ARV monotherapy on liver disease progression and liver-related mortality in individuals co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C, including in patients with haemophilia.




    ic

    Self-neglect policy and practice: building an evidence base for adult social care

    Report 69 published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in November 2014. This research, commissioned by the Department of Health (DH), set out to identify what could be learned about current policy and practice in self-neglect, experienced as a highly challenging aspect of contemporary adult social care.




    ic

    Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC)

    The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) draws on research and practice, from across the world, to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date resource on all aspects of dementia.




    ic

    Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR)

    The core purpose of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) is to carry out high quality, internationally recognised research in relation to crime and criminal justice.




    ic

    Sharing practice to improve outcomes for care leavers. Evaluation report on an inter-authority learning exchange

    Evaluation report for the inter-authority learning exchange between Shetland Islands, Falkirk and Glasgow Councils throughcare and aftercare teams. In February 2014 a member of the Throughcare and Aftercare team from Shetland, spent two weeks in each host authority as a means of developing and sharing practice, experience and learning. The report describes the planning process, in-situ experience, and post-exchange learning of participants, it also report highlights the positive learning outcomes and benefits achieved for all participating local authorities. The report identifies ideas for future applications of such a learning and practice exchange model to improve practice for looked after young people and care leavers.




    ic

    Respite care Scotland 2015 - An offical ststistics publication for Scotland

    This publication presents information on support to carers and in particular respite care services provided or purchased by local authorities in Scotland over the financial years 2007 / 2008 to 2014 / 2015.





    ic

    OnlyFans: Jakub Stefano – ‘Full on’ Erotic

    We’ve already taken a dive into the pool of desire that is Jakub Stefano, and well, we enjoyed it so much we decided to dip our toes in again. Whether cuddly or lifting metal, in the bedroom, the kitchen or the boardroom, Jakub and his OnlyFans space is the place to have F.U.N! If you... View Article

    The post OnlyFans: Jakub Stefano – ‘Full on’ Erotic appeared first on QueerClick.




    ic

    American Women Joining South Korean Feminist Movement

    In the hours and days since Trump was re-elected president of the United States, there’s been a surge of interest in the US for 4B. Via Yahoo News:

    Young liberal women across TikTok and Instagram are discussing and sharing information about the South Korean feminist movement, in which straight women refuse to marry, have children, date or have sex with men.

    These women say they are enraged and fed up after a majority of their male counterparts voted for a candidate who was found liable for sexual abuse and whose appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices led to the overturning of national abortion rights protections.

    In response, they say they’re swearing off men — and they’re encouraging others around the country to join them.


    ic

    What Music Is Carrying You These Days?

    Above, "making all his nowhere plans for nobody."

    Dedicated to the GOP/RNC: "It's a Dead Man's Party."

    .
    .

    Open thread below... Share your inspirational tunes as well!

    read more




    ic

    Mexican American Man Voted For Trump Because Of Immigration

    A.J. Bayatpour, a reporter for Channel 58 in Milwaukee, interviewed a man identified only as Mattaeo, a Mexican-American man and who voted for Trump. Wait for his reasoning:

    MATTAEO: You know, with the future of America, you know, with Trump, I feel like it's always been better. You look at the past four years, you know, of living here, you know, we've seen a bunch of migrants coming in and, you know, that as well is a big thing. If you, you know, go to Chicago or even in this area alone, you see a lot of immigrants coming in and not many things being done about it, so.

    BAYATPOUR: People are going to watch this story, Mateo, and they're going to say, if you're Mexican-American, why are you against the migrants?

    MATTAEO: Why am I against the migrants? It's because I'm not more or less against it, but I do think it's, everything has a system that needs to be in place, and a lot of the system isn't going to what we, the people, I think should be going for, you know, for people whose family does live here, and it's trying to get, you know, an alliance program with the U.S. government to get their families from Mexico to over here is getting pushed out by people that we don't even know who's coming into the country, you know, just a bunch of Venezuelans coming, refugees coming, and none of it is being passed through, like, you know, the system of how the people, you know, designed it to be, and I think that's one of the main reasons.

    read more




    ic

    Bluesky Social Media App Picks Up 700K New Users Since Election

    Bluesky, the social media platform whose interface most resembles Twitter, has picked up more than 700,000 new users since the election, as users seek to escape misinformation and offensive posts on X. Via The Guardian:

    The influx, largely from North America and the UK, has helped Bluesky reach 14.5 million users worldwide, up from 9 million in September, the company said.

    Social media researcher Axel Bruns said the platform offered an alternative to X, formerly Twitter, including a more effective system for blocking or suspending problematic accounts and policing harmful behaviour.

    “It’s become a refuge for people who want to have the kind of social media experience that Twitter used to provide, but without all the far-right activism, the misinformation, the hate speech, the bots and everything else,” he said.

    It's not a natural fit for bloggers, because you can far too easily get kicked off for saying mean or controversial things and hurting people's feelings. So I'll straddle both.


    ic

    Skeletor Is Trump's Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy

    Stephen Miller, Trump's former racist policymaker on immigration has a new role in the Trump administration.
    His xenophobic views on immigration have led to the mass deportation plans Trump plans to implement.

    "In an interview with The New York Times last year, Miller said that under a second Trump term, the military would build detention centers to house immigrants who have been arrested and are facing deportation. The new camps would likely be built “on open land in Texas near the border,” he told The Times. Miller told The Times that Trump’s immigration plans are being designed to avoid having to create new substantial legislation.

    Miller will do everything in his power to eliminate Congress from blocking any of his immoral ideas.

    CNN's Dana Bash played a short clip that reveals his evil intentions.

    BASH: I just want to play a little bit of a flavor of Stephen Miller, who he is, what he says, and what he believes.

    MILLER: America is for Americans and Americans only.

    You have two policy objectives that you proceed with utter determination on.

    Seal the border.

    No illegals in, everyone here goes out.

    That's very straightforward.

    read more




    ic

    'Hail Hitler And Hail Trump': Antisemitic Intimidation In Michigan

    President-elect Donald Trump's reelection was credited for emboldening a group of people waving Nazi flags in Michigan over the weekend.

    WLNS reported that the flags were seen in two cities, including at a Jewish play.

    According to the report, "many people" were seen displaying flags with swastikas on Saturday night as the Fowlerville Community Theater performed the "Diary of Anne Frank." The same group was also seen outside the American Legion Post in Howell.

    "It was upsetting," cast member Becky Frank said. "You know, just knowing the character I was playing, knowing a lot of the research that I did on my character."

    Witnesses said the protest began in Howell before moving to Fowlerville. Protesters were seen wearing masks with the number 1488, a white supremacist symbol.

    "There was a group of people at the four-way intersection in downtown that had swastika flags and American flags," witness Alex Sutfill told WLNS. "They were sticking their arms up and yelling hail Hitler and Hail Trump and everything like that."

    Peter Damerow said the group told him to go back to his country.

    "They looked at me and one of them said," Damerow recalled. "No this is Pureville now, and we're here to make sure it stays pure."

    read more