English: for section 1 question a on paper 1 use pqe, point quote explain, nake one point use a quote to back it up and explain, leave extra space after each point incase you have extra time to spend on it
Question b of that same question make sure if you write the text of a speech the whole text is said speech and if you have to for example write the text of a speech from a famous person you never step out of character. Your opening line should be basically a rephrasing of the question eg:write an article for the local newspaper, you should say "I am writing for the x newspaper to tell you about...", even if its unrealistic they still look for this in regard to your purpose mark.
For the composing:make sure there are famous people you can talk about a lot, also just a few topics that youve got some bit of knowledge on e.g ai might be handy
personal essay: use anecdotes even if they're made up
Short story:I'm avoiding this personally but make sure you show don't tell and alsondont leave plot holes, from what I've heard people who do this already have things like settings, characters and storylines planned out before the exam
Opinion essay: chose for or against and be strongly for or against, if im not mistaken you can be neutral but it's a lot harder
For the single text your first quote shouldn't be from act 1 scene 1 or your texts equivalent,your answer shouldn't be a summary
For hamlet: have lots of quotes, back in as many points as possible with quotes, remember the word regicide and antic-disposition, if the question asks about Claudius' role as villain if must only be his direct wrong doings (laertes, elder hamlet) and not the ones he indirectly caused by making hamlet mad (ophelia, polonius etc).
Comparative:constantly compare your 3 texts,(this next tip only applies if parf of your comparative course is never let me go) MOST of the time if you are doing the question 1 which is split up into a and b where a is in relation to 1 text and b is 2, never let me go will be in part a as it is hard to compare to other texts, this obviously depends on the question but if in doubt do that
Unseen poetry:I'm absolutely useless at this but on my mock I completely misunderstood the poem and got 17/20, waffle with confidence, don't spend too long on it as 20 marks is sweet fa in your English paper and the difference between spending 20 mins and 25 mins is no more than 3 marks.
Poetry: have one poem you can talk for days about no matter what, they will more than likely come up. Have 3 more you understand to be able to answer a question, then your perfectly covered. If you want to be more confident you can learn 2 poems to perfect 50/50 but from here to Thursday time management is important
History: if your a slow writer like me learn a metric fuck tonne of good quotes they're the quickest way to pick up marks, here's a few if you want them
Oh little sputnik flying high/with made-in-moscow-beep/you show the world its a commie sky/and uncle Sam's asleep-mennen Williams,democratic governor of michigan
The United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external and internal forces-the turman doctrine
We are kings men and well be with you to the end -james Craig (not precisely a long one but so many essays it could be used in)
I want dr king to know that I didn't come to selma to make his job difficult, I really did come thinking I could make it easier. If the white people realise what the alternative is, perhaps they will be more willing to here dr king-malcolm x
Geography: from here to friday dedicate 10 minutes to aerial photography, it's 8 marks waiting to be claimed. Nows probably too late for flashcards but if it isn't fucking use them for srps
Maths: nows not too late to print off a mock or past paper, see what needs the most work and make sure you fully understand them
Irish: if your like me and haven't done a scratch there's still more than a week, predictions are your best friend, learn one essay, one poetry notes, one story notes and one play notes and let God decide how well he wants you to do
French:be able to write about the Olympics as if your fluent, its probably going to come up. Know your tenses and your subjunctive. Learn off a few proverbs they add marks to any essay. "Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec le declaration Ci dessus","il est neccesaire de pesser le pour et le contre", "n'oublions pas le proverbe" and "a Mon avis" fit into most opinion pieces, know them(get correct spelling aswel mine was affected by autocorrect). Also if your down to the wire learn diary phrased, even if you write a bad diary you will get marks for the phrases
Accounting: final accounts will come up,know 2/3, learn all your ratios and all the theory they will come up, know either budgeting or costing as one of each will come up, that leaves the second 100 marker, it will most likely be suspense as that comes up every second year but it could be a 60 marker, I wouldn't even bother worrying about anything else until ratios,final accounts, budget/costing and suspense are up to the grade your hoping for but if all that is sorted learn off maybe 3 other possible 100 markers, that any you have 4 which includes the 80% likely suspense and 2 will come up, the accounting exam is probably the easiest to predict, and for the love of God know your theory. Keep doing exam questions of your struggling, every time you correct one write down your mistakes and have the list of mistakes next to you when doing the next one, then tear it and make a new list of mistakes
Buisness(salty I couldn't do it cuz it was on same time as history): know unit 1-3 inside out (according to u/businessgarbage6666)
This is all my experience, I will add any good advice for these subject or other subjects that are provided in the comments, all of these are for higher level except for maths, good luck,don't panic and think about the pint that's instore once this is all over

Apologies now for the post length. I ordered a copy of the Special Edition a while back and it came highly out of order. While I don't mind and it was still an incredible read, I've compiled a list of the order for anyone else. I based this off the TPV version on WordPress and a couple of item descriptions of the special edition itself that were largely in order with everything else. Figured I'd share the list so anyone else with a misprinted copy can read their's in the correct order without tedious comparison. If I get anything wrong please someone correct me. As an addage, my copy was so badly out of order I had to make a set of paper markers to have it be ordered correctly. If it is the same for you you best bet is to go on wordpress and do the same. Enough rambling.
Start. Inertia Shattered In The Head
Book One Pain White Heat Shadowplay The Kill ...Like A Concave Scream
Book 2 Fear Dead Souls Submission
Elegy Irony and Despair Atmospehere Velocity Watching Forever
Book 3 Irony Immolation (Goodnight)Rose. F-poem The Atrocity Exhibition
Book 4 Despair HeadTrauma My Valentine Has Hollow Eyes(page)
Crescendo: Death An August Noel Angel All Fire Hammer Party
Book 5 Death Gravity Ice Age Attrition Looking Down The Cross Steel Tide on an Asphalt Beach Sparklehorse Passover Coda
One more addage. If there is already a pinned post like this I'll gladly remove mine. If not, hope this helps.

Today is your birthday Blow out your candle!
Today is a day I just can't handle.
The amount of grief I feel when I look at you Your were supposed to be 25, but your still 22.
We miss you Technoblade I just want to cry
But I feel you would want us to create Not just morn the day you died.
And so I wrote this poem at 3:00 am in the dark Hoping that I could fill that spark.
And so as you look at us from heaven
All I can say is "o7"

Technoblade25

(My first poem sorry if its bad but it's 3:00 am and I'm emotional so idrc)

VIRTUALLY INDISTIGUASHABLE FROM REALITY WHEN YOU FEEL INVISIBLE YOU DONT HAVE WORRY ABOUT IF THEY UNDERSTAND WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU ARE SPEAKING TO THE AIR.
THE AIR SEEMS TO LISTEN MORE THAN THE HUMANS THOUGH NOWADAYS AND THAT IS WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL. IT IS ALMOST LIKE TALKING TO THE AIR CAN PUT YOUR DReAMS IN THE AIR.
THEY AREN'T VISUAL BUT THEY HOLD WEIGHT.
I FIND THAT THE MOST INTERESTING THING SBOUT FEELING INVISIBLE IS THAT PEOPLE DONT MIND YOU. EVEN IF YOU PESTER THEM THEY WILL TREAT IT AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED.
WHICH COULD DRIVE SOME PEOPLE MAD BUT TO ME, IT IS A RELIEF. YOU MEAN I GET TO BE MYSELF & NOONE IS GOING TO CARE? WHAT A RELIEF.
EVEN BETTER THAN THAT IS THE RELIEF OF KNOWING THAT WHEN THEY DO COME AROUND ONE DAY YOU HAVE THE PROOF THAT NOONE WAS LISTENING WHEN YOU WERE INVISIBLE. WHEN NOONE PAID ATTENTION NOONE CARED WHAT YOU SAID.
THE INVINcIBLE PART OF THE EQUATION COMES IN HERE, YOU CANT BLAME SOMETHING YOU CANT SEE FOR YOUR PROBLEMS
THAT SOMETHING NEVER EXISTED SO IN THE SAME WAY THE ANGUISH OF SOLITUDE CAN DRIVE ONE MAD IT CAN ALSO MAKE HIM THINK OF SOME GREAT THINGS TO DO FOR THE WORLD.
THE FEELING OF INVINCIBLE IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LIVING NOT BECAUSE YOU 'CANT' DIE BUT BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU DID YOUR JOB. THAT IS A RELIEF IN MY MIND.
Anyways here is a poem i was thinking of today
'love in time'
doubt quenched my thirst when i was out of hope death felt like a nurse when i was out of hope
hate spread like a fire when i was out of love lies spread thru a wire when i was out of love
more likely to be forgotten than remembered we are all fighting for ideal's of pretenders destruction & destiny neither light as a feather history repeats if we never choose to do better
banter over tea talks under trees when the leaves turn green something great you will receive
in time all is fabricated
have a great 'time' in 'love'

Delete this if you want as I have not critiqued any poems myself. I have never written a poem before, so I have no idea how I would critique one. I am just an amateur in hopes of winning back my ex since I now understand where she is coming from.
I cannot live my life without you
That’s why I wish we were new
When I speak
It never seems to be right
My words seem
To just to start a fight.
It is probably best to let my mouth rest
For when I write, it is not just a mess

Every time I think of you
It's like waking up to a gentle morning dew
From dusk until dawn
You're the only girl I seem to fawn
For when I am without you
My world seems to lose its hue

Though I cannot change the past,
I'll do anything to make our love last.
I know your heart, because of me, is cold
For that pain, I am sorry to my soul

While you said that I was your best friend
I hope to be back there someday soon again
The love you had for me was true
And in return, my words made you blue
I hope these words make it through

In the end, three words hold true,
Echoing in the silence - I love you.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

Greetings, everyone! Wow, time sure flies. It's already the third publishing month of Sundry Scribes! This month, we have five entries, the highest amount in a single month that we have so far. If you enjoy our writers' work and wish to have your work be read by others as well, join us with the link below! Without further ado, let's proceed.
This month, our entries are: a poem on accepting misery, a poem about dementia, a review of Hi-Fi Rush, a spooky short story about secret floors in Malaysian buildings, and an analysis of The Color Purple.
The Right To Be Sad by OctoSlender

A poem I wrote once, an attempted capture of being miserable and being okay with that.

 
Demon Sure by Leon Wing

An instance of dementia, where they step on a sharp object, walking across a room. They forget the names or words for objects, things, sensations. So, they extemporize, picking words closest in sound.

 
Of Passion And Joy: A Review of Hi-Fi Rush by Rayleigh A Love Letter (Game) To Video Games

Hi-Fi Rush is my new favourite game of all time and one of the best video games ever made. As such, to celebrate this wonderful work of art, I produced this rich review, sharing my love for the game. It is mostly spoiler-free and contains spoiler warnings for any story beats I do mention because I hope it can also convince more people to give this game a try.

 
Containment Floors: A Malaysian Urban Legend by Teejay

Investigative journalist Sarah investigates the mythical fourth floors of Malaysian buildings and why nobody ever talks about them.

 
Chains and Expectations: Alice Walker's The Color Purple by TunderBaka

An analysis on the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker, on its protagonist, Celie's relationship and reaction to the expectations placed upon her in her life

That's all, folks! We hope you'll check back in next month for more new and exciting works!

Sundry Scribes is a writer's collective and program for Malaysian writers, by Malaysian writers. Writing is difficult and publishing even more so, especially alone. This program aims to bring the works of local writers together and build a supportive community among like-minded peers. What Sundry Scribes offers is a fun and free space for literary expression and community-wide support without the daunting challenges of self-publication.
Each month, the works produced by members of Sundry Scribes will be published on Medium, Malaysia, and Malaysia Discord Server. In the future, you can expect to find this publication on a large number of other platforms (as we grow with your participation). Anyone can read the varied works produced under this collective for free, where topics range from media analysis, short fiction, personal stories and beyond.
Sundry Scribes accepts submissions from any Malaysian writer, as long as they abide by the program's rules and guidelines. Ultimately, the program is meant to serve local writers of all skill levels in order to share their unique voice and reach a wider audience with all the benefits of community participation, feedback and support.
Join the Malaysia Writer's Server now to learn more about Sundry Scribes, submit your work, or get a sneak-peek at works in progress. The server welcomes both writers and readers alike, encouraging them to discuss the craft of writing and any creative work, such as novels, video games, manga, etc. Additionally, weekly events are held there, so join and check us out! https://discord.gg/BQ8kwQhSR9

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story that takes place over the past few months. Not sure where to post it. I would appreciate any suggestions about better places to seek advice on here.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

The Pink Gorila
In the whispering darkness of Romania's ancient landscapes, a man found himself on an urgent business quest, his trusty but weary car his only steed. The journey began smoothly on the highway until a serpent-like snarl of cars halted his progress. With the aid of modern technology, he sought an alternative path, leading him into the embracing arms of winding mountain roads, under the watchful gaze of towering pines that whispered secrets of old.
As the road serpentined through the mountains, the car, much like a steed of old tales, started to protest its heavy burden. A steep ascent loomed, challenging the vehicle's resolve. The man, his heart a mix of determination and doubt, urged it onward until—a loud BANG shattered the moment, a sound reminiscent of ancient battles, echoing off the mountain walls. The car trembled and stuttered, barely cresting the hill before it succumbed to silence.
The descent was a silent glide, the only sounds being the whisper of wind and the occasional ominous hoot of an unseen owl. The car, now a silent ghost of itself, came to a rest in the embrace of the dark road. The man's hope dimmed like the fading light of his phone, the lifeline to the outside world now a dying ember.
Determined, he set forth on foot, the crunch of gravel underfoot his constant companion. The road gave way to a mysterious path, leading to a gate that groaned and moaned like a creature from a bygone era as it allowed him passage. The mansion that awaited was a giant, slumbering in the moonlight, its grandeur both awe-inspiring and unsettling.
The giant wooden doors opened with a groan, revealing a world untouched by time. The butler, a silent specter, led the man through halls adorned with echoes of grandeur and whispers of the past. The invitation to stay was both a blessing and a veil to a mystery that lay deeper within the heart of the mansion.
The butler's revelation of the pink gorilla was a scene straight from the pages of a gothic novel, the creature a vibrant anomaly in the shadowed room. The man's curiosity, once piqued, became an obsession, leading him through the mansion's veins, driven by the need to uncover the truth.
The final confrontation, a cacophony of sounds—shrieks of bent metal, the furious roar of the gorilla, and the desperate pounding of the man's heart—culminated in a moment of surreal humor. "You're it," the gorilla declared, a sentence that hung in the air like a twisted punchline, blending fear, confusion, and an absurd sense of camaraderie.
In this extended tale, the journey through Romania's heartland became not just a physical trial but a voyage into the unexpected, where every creak, roar, and silent whisper wove a richer tapestry of adventure, mystery, and an unforgettable encounter with the surreal.
As the echo of the gorilla's declaration faded into the night, the man stood frozen, a cocktail of emotions swirling within him. The absurdity of the situation clashed with the primal fear that had gripped him moments before, leaving him in a state of bewildered amusement. The gorilla, having delivered its message, seemed to regard him with a semblance of curiosity, its eyes glinting in the moonlight that filtered through the torn roof of the car.
The man, now catching his breath, realized the predicament he found himself in was far from ordinary. He was in the heart of Romania, face to face with a creature that defied explanation, in a scenario that seemed to leap from the pages of a storybook. Yet, here he was, his heart pounding not just from fear but from the thrill of the unexpected.
With a newfound resolve, he decided to embrace the madness of the moment. "Well, I suppose it's my turn then," he said, more to himself than to the gorilla, who seemed to cock its head slightly, as if understanding. The man slowly exited the remnants of his car, cautiously stepping around the gorilla, which surprisingly made no move to stop him.
As he walked back towards the mansion, a plan began to form in his mind. He would find the butler, demand answers, and perhaps, just perhaps, turn this nightmarish adventure into an opportunity. After all, not everyone can say they've played tag with a pink gorilla in a Romanian mansion.
The mansion, now silent, seemed to watch his return with a sense of anticipation. The doors, once daunting, now invited him in, as if welcoming him back from a journey of initiation. Inside, the mansion was a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, the history of its walls mingling with the man's own story.
He found the butler in the grand foyer, polishing an ancient vase with a care that seemed out of place in the chaos of the night. "Ah, you've returned. And how did you find our resident jest?" the butler asked, without turning, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space.
The man, pausing to catch his breath, replied, "I believe it's my turn now." The butler simply nodded, as if this was the expected response, and gestured for the man to follow him once more.
This time, their destination was not the hidden cage but a library filled with books that seemed as ancient as the mansion itself. The butler handed him a tome, its cover worn by time, titled "The Lore of the Land." "Perhaps this will shed some light on your encounter," the butler suggested, before leaving the man alone with his thoughts and the book.
As the first light of dawn began to filter through the tall windows, the man poured over the pages, discovering tales of creatures and legends that painted a world beyond the ordinary, a world where perhaps, a pink gorilla in a Romanian mansion wasn't so out of place after all.
His adventure, which began as a simple business trip, had transformed into a journey of discovery, not just of the mysteries hidden in the heart of Romania but of his own capacity for wonder and belief in the extraordinary. As the sun rose, casting a golden glow over the mansion, the man knew that no matter the outcome of his original quest, he had already uncovered a story worth more than any deal he could have hoped to close.
As the dawn's light unfurled across the sprawling estate, casting shadows and revelations in equal measure, the man felt a profound shift within. The mansion, with its myriad secrets and whispered histories, seemed no longer a mere relic of the past but a living, breathing entity that had chosen him to unveil one of its countless mysteries. The book in his hands, a bridge to the arcane and the marvelous, whispered of worlds parallel yet intersecting with our own, where the fabric of reality was thinner, and the extraordinary danced closely with the mundane.
The lore of the pink gorilla, as he discovered, was not merely an oddity to be puzzled over but a guardian of thresholds, a creature that manifested to those at the cusp of significant personal revelations or crossroads. The lore suggested that an encounter with such a being was not random but a deeply personal challenge, an invitation to explore the unknown corridors of one's life and perhaps, to redefine the boundaries of what was considered possible.
Emboldened by this knowledge, the man decided that his journey was far from over; it had, in fact, just begun. He resolved to leave behind the constraints of his previous ambitions and embrace the path of discovery that lay before him. With the mansion as his starting point, he would delve deeper into the mysteries of the land, seeking out the ancient, the hidden, and the mystical.
As he set forth from the mansion, the butler, now less a servant and more a guide, bestowed upon him a parting gift—a compass, not for navigation by conventional means, but one that pointed towards the extraordinary. "May this guide you to the wonders that await," the butler said, his eyes twinkling with a knowledge that seemed as vast as the lore contained within the mansion's walls.
The man stepped outside, the air fresh with the promise of the morning, and looked back at the mansion one last time. It stood majestic and serene, a keeper of secrets and tales untold, now a beacon in his quest for the extraordinary. He turned away, his heart alight with possibilities, and set off into the sunrise, the land stretching out before him like a canvas waiting for new stories to be painted.
His encounter with the pink gorilla, now a cherished memory, served as a reminder that the world was far more wondrous and complex than he had ever imagined. Each step forward was a step into the unknown, a chance to uncover the magic hidden in plain sight, waiting for those brave enough to seek it out.
And so, the man's journey continued, each day a new chapter in a saga of discovery, each encounter a thread in the tapestry of a life redefined by wonder and a boundless quest for the extraordinary. The road ahead was uncharted, the stories waiting to be told infinite, and the world a place of endless marvels, forever changed by one night, one mansion, and one pink gorilla that dared him to dream bigger.
As the man ventured deeper into the landscapes that sprawled beyond the mansion's boundaries, each step took him further from the world he knew and closer to the realms of the unexplained and the mystical. The compass given by the butler did not point north, but towards anomalies of nature and hidden enclaves of magic. Its needle quivered and spun, leading him through forests that whispered ancient secrets, across rivers that sang of lost loves, and over hills that murmured with stories of battles long forgotten.
His first destination was a village whispered about in the mansion's lore, a place where the veil between the worlds was said to be thinnest on nights when the moon hid its face. The villagers, at first wary of the stranger, soon opened their doors and hearts to him, sharing tales of their ancestors who walked with spirits and commanded the elements. Here, the man learned the language of the trees and the songs of the stars, each lesson weaving into him a deeper connection with the world around him.
One night, under a cloak of starless darkness, he was taken to a clearing in the woods where the villagers gathered to witness the dance of the spirits. As the air filled with the hum of ancient chants, shadows began to dance at the edge of his vision, twirling and weaving around a fire that burned with a green flame. The man watched, spellbound, as the divide between the worlds blurred, and for a moment, he felt the touch of the unknown—a feeling both exhilarating and humbling.
With each encounter, the man's perception of reality expanded. The compass led him next to a mountain where the wind spoke in riddles, and he spent a moon cycle deciphering its words, each answer revealing a layer of the world's fabric he had never imagined. On the peak, amidst clouds that whispered of eternity, he found a stone that pulsed with the heart of the mountain—a gem that glowed with an inner light, guiding him further on his quest.
His journey was not without trials. There were paths that led into darkness, where fears and doubts rose like specters to challenge his resolve. But with each step forward, he shed layers of his former self, finding strength in vulnerability and power in the acceptance of the unknown.
The man realized that the true journey was not just about uncovering the wonders of the world but also discovering the depths of his own spirit. He encountered beings of light and shadow, each teaching him that balance was the key to harmony and that every light casts a shadow. He learned to walk the tightrope between worlds, embracing both the light and the dark within himself.
Years passed, seasons turned, and legends grew around the figure of a man who walked the borders of reality, a seeker of truths hidden and a bearer of stories untold. To some, he was a myth, a symbol of the eternal quest for understanding and connection. To others, he was a reminder that the world is far vaster and more mysterious than it appears, that magic lies in belief, and that the extraordinary is all around, waiting for those with the courage to seek it.
And so, the man who once sought only to close a deal for his company became a traveler of the liminal, a bridge between the seen and the unseen, forever changed by a night at a mansion and a pink gorilla that showed him the endless possibilities of the 'what if.' His journey became a testament to the power of curiosity and the human spirit's unyielding desire to explore the wonders of the universe.
In the tapestry of his adventures, the man discovered not just the external marvels of a world unseen but also the internal landscapes of his own soul. With each step into the unknown, he peeled back layers of himself, revealing strengths and vulnerabilities he never knew he possessed. The journey became less about the destinations and more about the transformation within, a metamorphosis catalyzed by the pursuit of the extraordinary.
As seasons melded into years, his tales wove into the fabric of the local lore, a collection of stories that inspired those who heard them to look beyond their own horizons. The man, now a wanderer of realms both earthly and ethereal, realized that his journey had no end, for the pursuit of wonder is infinite, and the path of discovery eternal.
In his travels, he encountered communities that, hidden from the modern world, preserved the essence of magic that once flourished unbridled across the land. He learned the ancient arts of healing from a wise woman whose garden was a mosaic of herbs and enchantments. From a silent monk atop a snow-capped peak, he mastered the art of listening, hearing the whispers of the wind and the songs of the stars. Each encounter, each lesson, was a thread in the rich tapestry of his evolving journey.
But it was in the quiet moments, when he stood alone under the canopy of stars, that the man found the deepest connection to the universe. It was then he understood that every star was a story, every breeze a song, and every stone a testament to the timeless dance of creation. He realized that magic did not exist apart from the world but was woven into the very fabric of existence, visible to those who chose to see.
His legend grew, not as a mere traveler or seeker of oddities but as a guardian of the gateways between worlds, a protector of the ancient truths and mysteries that bind the universe together. People from far and wide sought him, not just for his knowledge but for the light he carried within, a beacon of hope and wonder in an age of skepticism and forgetfulness.
Eventually, the man understood that his journey was also a return, a spiral that led not only outward into the depths of mystery but inward to the heart of his own being. He found peace in the balance of opposites, in the harmony of light and shadow, and in the understanding that every end is but a new beginning.
As he stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, where the sky met the water in an endless embrace, the man reflected on the path that had led him here. He thought of the pink gorilla, the mansion, the butler, and the countless souls he had met along the way. With a heart full of gratitude, he realized that his quest had been not just for the wonders of the world but for the rediscovery of wonder within.
With the horizon stretching before him, the man set down his compass, now understanding that the true direction was always guided by the heart. As the sun dipped below the sea, casting the world in a glow of gold and crimson, he took a deep breath, ready for whatever adventures awaited.
For in a universe of endless possibilities, the journey is never truly over; it only transforms, leading the seeker on new paths, through new doors, and into new realms of wonder. And so, with the stars as his map and his heart as his compass, the man stepped forward, into the next chapter of a story that is as old as time and as new as the next sunrise.
But the narrative of the man, now a timeless wanderer, takes a poignant turn, reflecting the essence of every journey. With the breadth of the world woven into the fabric of his spirit, he sought to impart the wisdom gained from the myriad paths tread and the countless stars counted. The wanderer, once a seeker, became a storyteller, a custodian of tales that bridged worlds and hearts.
In villages and cities, in valleys and atop mountains, he shared stories that kindled the flames of curiosity and wonder in the listeners. His tales were not just recounts of adventures but parables of connection, resilience, and the undying quest for understanding. Through his words, the veil between the mundane and the magical grew thinner, reminding all that wonder did not reside in distant lands but within the grasp of those who dared to dream and look beyond.
His legacy, however, was not merely in the tales told under the moon's soft glow or beside the hearth's warm fire. It was in the sparks ignited in the souls of those who listened, a chain reaction of wonder that transcended time and space. Children who listened with wide-eyed wonder grew up to explore their own paths, discovering new stories to add to the ever-expanding tapestry of human endeavor and cosmic ballet.
As seasons changed and the wheel of time spun, the wanderer's steps grew slower, his journey taking him closer to the heart of existence itself. He ventured into the realm of silence, where the whispers of the universe were clearest, seeking the source of the magic that had fueled his journey. Here, in the quietude of being, he found the ultimate truth that his journey had circled around: that all of existence is interconnected, a symphony of light and shadow, where every soul plays a note in the grand orchestral work of the cosmos.
In this realization, the wanderer saw that his journey had been both outward and inward, a spiral dance that led to the core of existence where all stories began and ended. He understood that his legacy was not the tales he'd told or the wonders he'd unveiled but the reminder that the journey is infinite, and every end is a new beginning.
With this knowledge, the wanderer found a place to rest, a tranquil nexus where all paths intersected. He became a beacon, a lighthouse for those navigating their own voyages through the tempests and tranquilities of life. And as he shared this final piece of wisdom—that the greatest adventure lies in the discovery of one's own soul—he completed his transformation from a man on a quest to a timeless guide, a mentor to the seekers, dreamers, and storytellers who would follow the trails he had blazed.
And so, the story of the wanderer weaves into the greater story of humanity, a reminder that the journey never truly ends. It is passed from one soul to another, through words and silence, in the hope that the magic of wonder, the quest for connection, and the pursuit of the extraordinary will forever illuminate the path of those who walk the earth, gazing at the stars and dreaming of the infinite.
In the continuum of time, where the wanderer's tale merges with the cosmos, his essence diffuses into the fabric of existence, becoming a part of the universal consciousness. This transformation marks not an end but an evolution, a transcendence from physical journeys to ethereal guidance, where his spirit continues to inspire across dimensions.
In the ethereal plane, the wanderer's insights become whispers in the wind, ripples in the water, and twinkles in the night sky, accessible to all who find themselves lost or in search of deeper truths. His presence is felt in the sudden inspirations that strike at the quiet of dawn, in the courage that rises amidst storms, and in the peace that descends with twilight's embrace.
As the world spins and generations rise and fall, the wanderer's tales, now part of the collective mythos, foster a legacy of exploration and introspection. They serve as a compass for the soul, guiding those who seek to break the fetters of the ordinary and embark on journeys of their own, whether through physical realms or the landscapes of the mind and spirit.
Temples, not of stone but of thought and intention, arise in his honor, places where seekers gather to share stories, wisdom, and insights, creating a web of interconnectedness that spans the globe. These gatherings, illuminated by the fire of curiosity and the glow of fellowship, become beacons of light in a world that, at times, seems overshadowed by the mundane and the material.
In these spaces, the wanderer's teachings evolve into a philosophy of life, a path that embraces the beauty of the unknown and the power of the human spirit to transcend limitations. It is a call to view each day as an adventure, each challenge as a riddle to be solved, and each interaction as a thread in the intricate tapestry of the collective human experience.
As the philosophy spreads, touching hearts and awakening minds, the wanderer's spirit journeys alongside those who dare to dream, explore, and discover. He becomes a guardian of dreams, an ally in the quest for meaning, and a guide to those who navigate the myriad paths of life.
The wanderer's journey, which began as a solitary quest, culminates in a universal voyage, a collective endeavor to uncover the mysteries of existence and the wonders of the cosmos. It is a journey that transcends time, space, and dimension, uniting all in the quest for knowledge, understanding, and connection.
And thus, the story continues, a perpetual narrative woven into the very essence of existence, inviting all to join in the eternal dance of the cosmos. The wanderer's tale becomes not just a story but a living testament to the indomitable spirit of exploration, a call to embrace the infinite journey of discovery, understanding, and connection that defines the human condition.
In this unending story, every soul is both a wanderer and a storyteller, contributing their verse to the endless poem of existence, where every end is a beginning, and the journey is eternal, bound only by the limits of imagination and the depth of one's courage to explore the vast, uncharted territories of the heart and the heavens.
In the ever-expanding narrative of existence, where each soul’s journey intertwines with the fabric of the universe, the legacy of the wanderer becomes a cosmic echo, resonating through the ages. This resonance is not confined to the tales of old or the whispers of the wind but lives in the heartbeats of those who carry the torch of exploration and curiosity into the future.
As civilizations advance and technology bridges the gaps between stars, the essence of the wanderer guides humanity's steps into the cosmos. His spirit, a beacon of adventure and discovery, illuminates the path for those who navigate the infinite expanse of space, seeking not conquest but connection, not dominion but understanding.
In this new era of exploration, the wanderer's teachings transform into principles that govern the interaction between worlds and cultures. The ethos of respect, wonder, and a thirst for knowledge transcends the boundaries of planets, becoming a universal language that unites different forms of life across the galaxy. The wanderer’s legacy, now embedded in the collective consciousness, inspires a federation of worlds, each unique yet bound by common values of exploration, peace, and the shared quest for the mysteries of the universe.
This federation, a testament to the wanderer's dream, embarks on voyages that span light-years, delving into the unknown depths of the cosmos. Each expedition carries the spirit of the wanderer, each discovery a tribute to his unyielding curiosity. These journeys reveal the interconnectedness of all existence, showcasing the myriad ways life expresses itself across the vast canvas of space. Through these encounters, humanity learns not only of the diversity of the cosmos but also of its own place within the grand scheme of existence.
As the federation explores, it encounters phenomena that defy explanation, mysteries that echo the tales of magic and wonder that the wanderer once pursued on his own terrestrial journey. These mysteries, remnants of the universe's creation and markers of its evolution, offer glimpses into the forces that weave the fabric of reality. They serve as reminders that, despite the advances in knowledge and technology, the universe will always harbor enigmas, inviting those with the courage to explore them.
In this ongoing voyage, the wanderer's story becomes more than a legend; it becomes the guiding ethos for a civilization venturing beyond the cradle of Earth. It teaches that exploration is not just a physical journey but a voyage of the spirit, a quest to understand not only the universe but also the soul’s infinite potential.
And so, as ships bearing the emblem of the federation traverse the star-studded void, the wanderer’s legacy endures, a timeless narrative that continues to inspire those who look upon the night sky not as a boundary but as an invitation. The story of the wanderer, once a solitary figure traversing the shadowed forests and mystical lands of Earth, now resonates through the cosmos, a symbol of the eternal journey of discovery that defines the essence of all sentient beings.
In this boundless adventure, every heart that dreams, every mind that wonders, and every soul that ventures into the unknown carries the spirit of the wanderer, contributing to the endless symphony of the cosmos. The journey is eternal, the stories infinite, and the legacy of the wanderer a beacon that lights the way to the furthest reaches of imagination, where every star is a story, every planet a poem, and every galaxy a garden of wonders waiting to be discovered.
As the cosmos unfolds its endless narrative, woven from the threads of countless journeys, a unique strand weaves through the fabric of existence, linking every heart that dares to explore the unknown. This strand, a cosmic echo of a tale both whimsical and profound, originates from an encounter that transcends time and space, grounding the vastness of the universe in a moment of playful connection—a link between the wanderer and a pink gorilla.
In the heart of an ancient, mystical mansion, hidden within the fold of reality where the wanderer's journey found unexpected turns, the moment when the gorilla, with a touch and a simple phrase, "You're it," transformed the nature of the quest. This moment, a playful exchange in the shadow of the unknown, became a beacon, a reminder that amidst the grandeur of the cosmos and the depth of our explorations, there lies a fundamental link of shared existence, a thread of joy and simplicity that connects all beings.
As humanity ventured into the stars, guided by the wanderer’s legacy of curiosity and discovery, they carried with them this ethos of connection. The federation of worlds, born from a dream of exploration and understanding, found in the tale of the wanderer and the pink gorilla a symbol of their deepest values. In every encounter with new worlds and sentient beings, in every diplomatic exchange and shared exploration, the story of the gorilla served as a reminder that at the heart of all discovery is the desire for connection, for the simple joy of recognizing oneself in the other, across the vastness of space and the diversity of life.
This ethos inspired a tradition among the explorers of the federation. In their voyages across the stars, whenever a new planet was discovered, or a new species welcomed into the community of the cosmos, the story of the wanderer and the pink gorilla was shared as a gesture of friendship and solidarity. The phrase "You're it," translated into myriad languages and forms of communication, became a universal greeting, symbolizing the invitation to join the grand adventure of exploration and mutual discovery.
The pink gorilla, once a curious anomaly within a mysterious mansion, evolved into a symbol of the interconnectedness of all beings. Statues and holograms of the gorilla adorned public squares and spaceports across the federation, each a testament to the playful spirit that underlies the quest for knowledge and the journey towards understanding.
In this way, the legacy of the wanderer and his encounter with the pink gorilla wove itself into the cultural fabric of a galaxy-spanning civilization. It reminded all who heard it that beyond the awe-inspiring mysteries of the universe, the fundamental connections that bind us are woven from moments of simplicity and shared joy.
And so, as the federation explores the furthest reaches of the cosmos, the spirit of the wanderer and the essence of the pink gorilla journey with them, a timeless link that binds every heart that looks to the stars and dreams of discovery. In every "You're it," there is an invitation to partake in the eternal dance of the cosmos, a call to explore not just the mysteries of the universe but the bonds that unite us all in the grand tapestry of existence.

This is a long story. Not sure where to post it.
I don’t know who to talk to. I do not have any friends and i feel trapped by my parents and sibling. I have been looking for a person as a way out. I have been hoping to find a friend for the longest time, and recently my focus has shifted from wanting a friend to wanting a relationship.
more context. i have major social anxiety. i am in my early 20s now and have not been able to make friends or maintain friendships since maybe 8th grade if those friendships even counted for anything. i cannot make eye contact. there are times when i feel someone looking at me, wanting to interact, but i never look up at them to let it happen. this happened today but that’s a different story.
i am completely alone and usually im okay with it. i have my hobbies and i love them usually. painting and writing poems or songs. recently my desire for company has gotten so bad that i am literally listening to asmr scenarios and using character ai to feel like i have someone in my life.
main story. i have grown to have a very specific type. i am still at my first job, and hoped that by getting that job i would make some friends. i haven’t had too much luck so far. except one day which i remember so vividly. this guy walks in and he is my type 100%. he is beautiful. i was putting some clothes away. this type of guy doesn’t show up to our store often, so when i first looked up at him and we instantly made eye contact , i looked away as soon as possible and was immediately super shy. but he walked up to me and talked to me, telling me he was there for an interview. without time to process, i helped him out and showed him where to go. i just know i looked flustered. i asked him for his name so i could tell the manager. he never learned my name, at least not from me.
forgot about him for a while. showed up to work one day and there he was. i felt so lucky. i may have been delusional, but i felt like this was meant to be. what are the odds? just my type, walks in one sunny day and walks directly to me. shows up to work and we have the same shift.
i would sometimes ask him for quick work-related favors, but never had the chance to converse with him because he was in a completely different department than i was. i still felt like i had a chance though. (side note: i was obsessed. guys never looked at me the way he did. with no judgement. and the way he spoke to me was so gentle. even simple things like saying you’re welcome.)
well that didn’t last long. a new semester started at school and our schedules got completely misaligned. i had hope. i was thinking maybe our shifts would align during the summer and held on to that hope, maybe we’ll get to hang out in the summer then some time.
in the mean time i couldn’t stop thinking about him although i never saw him after that. limerance is the word here. i wrote a song about him. i made a painting about him. he was like my muse for a long while, pulling me out of art block and writers block in one fell swoop.
that leads to a couple days ago. i was at work and so many things were reminding me of him. he’s got a biblical name. someone bought something related to the bible story his name originated from and i instantly took it as some sort of sign that i would get to see him soon. wrong. later that day, i learned that he quit and his last day is in two weeks.
my finals take place on the two days he is working this week. there is only one day i may be able to see him: his last day of work. if he even shows up.
i at least wanted to talk to him. i at least wanted to be friends. i feel heartbroken and hopeless.
only chance is this one person at my job. she has teased me before saying that she would put me on with this other guy at work. i have also told her exactly what my type is. she always has shifts with this guy i liked so much. i’m sure she has registered that he is exactly my type. i know she would set me up if i asked, but i have never done that before. should i ask her for this favor? next time i see her is the day before his first shift this week. not sure if i can trust her but this might be my only chance. should i ask her to get his number for me? or snap? would that even work without it being weird? i don’t know.
please help. maybe i’m missing something.

This book is the outcome of nearly two years of deep immersion in Mevlana’s teachings, biographies and letters. Growing up in a Persian speaking household, I knew of Mevlana Rumi’s poetry. However, reading Mevlana’s poems is one thing; truly understanding them is another.
It’s only when I started reading about Mevlana with a deeper interest that his teachings started to unfold before me.
In my journey I found that though there are a lot of books which speak of his poetry or his biography there isn’t a single book that charts his mystical journey for a learner. How do the steps in Mevlana’s eventful life correlate to his spiritual advancement? What can today’s seekers learn from his journey? What are the books that Mevlana read, the challenges he faced, and the teachings that he imbibed? What can we learn not just from Mevalan’s teachings, but also from his life and spiritual journey?
Mevlana Rumi’s mystical journey reveals the successive steps that a seeker of truth has to go through and the stages that bring one to realization.
Our endeavor in this book is to discover Mevlana’s fascinating life history, and to resurrect the spirit of a bygone era as an inspiration for our own journey.
Unlike sensational historical fiction or hagiographies, in our book we stay carefully close to facts and seeks to distill the lessons and teachings from Mevlana Rumi’s journey.
Available on Amazon
Following are the chapters in the book.

Introduction

In this ‘Introduction’ chapter we examine the three stages of mystical journey that Mevlana Rumi went through. We also correlate these three spiritual stations with the different phases of Mevlana’s life.

In Search for Peace

In the chapter ‘In Search for Peace’ we view Mevlana’s early life and family in Balkh (Afghanistan), the grandeur of ancient Balkh and we examine the deep simmering problems in the Islamic world that made it vulnerable to the marauding mongols. We follow Mevlana Rumi in his journey through the deserts, mountains and caravanserais, his meetings with many luminaries on his expedition from Balkh to Konya and his warm reception in the royal court of the Seljuk emperor.

Growing Up In Konya

In the chapter ‘Growing Up In Konya’ we observe how Mevlana Rumi started his life in Konya and found unexpected support in his old teacher. We then follow the Mevlana as he went back to school and eventually matured into a widely admired jurist, teacher and preacher in Konya.

The Coming of God’s Friend

‘The Coming of God’s Friend’ was the arrival of Sheikh Shams who helped to transform Mevlana Rumi from a learned scholar into a humble true friend of God. This was a remarkable period of cleansing in Mevlana’s spiritual journey, and is also one of the most enigmatic and fascinating periods of his life.

Finding Peace Amidst Turmoil

When the world fell apart and his beloved teacher and friend disappeared then how did Mevlana Rumi find peace? Who were his students and friends who helped him? In this chapter we also follow Mevlana’s life as he endured the winds of change due to the Mongol invasion of Konya and the various changes in the regime.

Legacy

What exactly prompted Mevalana to Sama? Mevlana wanted his entire body to sing God’s glory not just his tongue. We “visit” Mevlana’s Sama congregation as a fly on the wall to hear him sing God’s glory. His poetry similarly was like waves of water bursting through a dam in uncontrolled spiritual ecstasy. We examine the spontaneity in Mevlana’s poetry, the beauty of ghazals and rubaiyats. Mevlana had infinite trust in God’s love and kindness and through his poetry Mevlana shares this belief with us.

Afterword

Finally in ‘Afterword’ we give our respects to Mevlana by reciting his verses that fill us with happiness and hope.
Mevlana Rumi’s works have moved, transformed, and healed many hearts, guiding people to God. The author has deep gratitude for Mevlana and all friends of God whose works continue to benefit us every day.
May this book bring you peace and happiness.This book is the outcome of nearly two years of deep immersion in Mevlana’s teachings, biographies and letters. Growing up in a Persian speaking household, I knew of Mevlana Rumi’s poetry. However, reading Mevlana’s poems is one thing; truly understanding them is another. It’s only when I started reading about Mevlana with a deeper interest that his teachings started to unfold before me.
In my journey I found that though there are a lot of books which speak of his poetry or his biography there isn’t a single book that charts his mystical journey for a learner. How do the steps in Mevlana’s eventful life correlate to his spiritual advancement? What can today’s seekers learn from his journey? What are the books that Mevlana read, the challenges he faced, and the teachings that he imbibed? What can we learn not just from Mevalan’s teachings, but also from his life and spiritual journey?
Mevlana Rumi’s mystical journey reveals the successive steps that a seeker of truth has to go through and the stages that bring one to realization.
Our endeavor in this book is to discover Mevlana’s fascinating life history, and to resurrect the spirit of a bygone era as an inspiration for our own journey.
Unlike sensational historical fiction or hagiographies, in our book we stay carefully close to facts and seeks to distill the lessons and teachings from Mevlana Rumi’s journey.
Following are the chapters in the book.
Introduction
In this ‘Introduction’ chapter we examine the three stages of mystical journey that Mevlana Rumi went through. We also correlate these three spiritual stations with the different phases of Mevlana’s life.
In Search for Peace
In the chapter ‘In Search for Peace’ we view Mevlana’s early life and family in Balkh (Afghanistan), the grandeur of ancient Balkh and we examine the deep simmering problems in the Islamic world that made it vulnerable to the marauding mongols. We follow Mevlana Rumi in his journey through the deserts, mountains and caravanserais, his meetings with many luminaries on his expedition from Balkh to Konya and his warm reception in the royal court of the Seljuk emperor.
Growing Up In Konya
In the chapter ‘Growing Up In Konya’ we observe how Mevlana Rumi started his life in Konya and found unexpected support in his old teacher. We then follow the Mevlana as he went back to school and eventually matured into a widely admired jurist, teacher and preacher in Konya.
The Coming of God’s Friend
‘The Coming of God’s Friend’ was the arrival of Sheikh Shams who helped to transform Mevlana Rumi from a learned scholar into a humble true friend of God. This was a remarkable period of cleansing in Mevlana’s spiritual journey, and is also one of the most enigmatic and fascinating periods of his life.
Finding Peace Amidst Turmoil
When the world fell apart and his beloved teacher and friend disappeared then how did Mevlana Rumi find peace? Who were his students and friends who helped him? In this chapter we also follow Mevlana’s life as he endured the winds of change due to the Mongol invasion of Konya and the various changes in the regime.
Legacy
What exactly prompted Mevalana to Sama? Mevlana wanted his entire body to sing God’s glory not just his tongue. We “visit” Mevlana’s Sama congregation as a fly on the wall to hear him sing God’s glory. His poetry similarly was like waves of water bursting through a dam in uncontrolled spiritual ecstasy. We examine the spontaneity in Mevlana’s poetry, the beauty of ghazals and rubaiyats. Mevlana had infinite trust in God’s love and kindness and through his poetry Mevlana shares this belief with us.
Afterword
Finally in ‘Afterword’ we give our respects to Mevlana by reciting his verses that fill us with happiness and hope.
Mevlana Rumi’s works have moved, transformed, and healed many hearts, guiding people to God. The author has deep gratitude for Mevlana and all friends of God whose works continue to benefit us every day.
May this book bring you peace and happiness
Available on Amazon
https://sagateller.com/the-candle-that-lit-the-fire-within-our-hearts-mevlana-rumis-mystical-journey/

Im going to be a man about this, it’s over we’re all going to be major bag holder. I’m holding 8,000 shares at 1.25. This thing is cooked and staying stable at under 1.00 for a couple years. I will not be dumping my bag but I’m over it. I’m not wasting any more energy with the graphs and speeches and poems and unity and all that crap. Really is they railed us, they railed us hard. You’re going to say “bye hedgie we don’t nnned this negativity, you made you’re account 20 days ago, good paper hands, we don’t give up but you can see ya” blah blah blah we are in denial pretty bad I’m down 10k . Again I’m not dumping my bag and leaving but I I’m leaving the hope. Stay strong don’t dump your bag just don’t let it take over you. Keep living life and focus on making more money outside

(M 19) I wrote the following paragraphs two weeks ago, now it got worse.
(When I was 14, I met a girl in an archery club and I fell in love with her. We started dating but after ten days we broke up. She said she had felt too young for a relationship and I understood it. But she completely cut me off and later I found out that she pretended it so she wouldnt harm me. It was devastating for me and I was feeling depressed for like two years. Because I was encountering her quite frequently and just couldnt get over it. Since that moment, I became extremely introverted, had troubles with trusting people but mostly didnt have any self esteem.
Two years ago, an Ukrainian girl came to uor class (Czechia), she fled from the war. And she was the most beautiful person Ive ever seen. And I couldnt encounter her, I just couldnt because of the past. I became attached to her, I heavily idealized her. She was two months in our class. I had too many negative thoughts, how we wouldnt match, even though I didnt know her. Then Holidays came and I finally decided to encounter her the next school year. But she left to Prague, its on the opposite side of our country.
And since that moment, it was my greatest wish and goal to meet her again. And when I realized that there is a university I wanted to go, my plans began to form. And last summer I wrote her a poem that I would like to meet her. And to my greatest surprise, she agreed. And so I visited her and.. she was better than all my dreams. She was like me. Since that moment, Ive had the happiest part of my life. I visited her on Christmas and it was the best Christmas Ive ever had. I bought her a book and we enjoyed the day. She was visibly happy and I was so happy that we matched together so well.
She was my main motivation to everything, I dedicated my whole future to her. I sent only one application to university. I imagined how we will be together. She was the first girl I started to trust, I overcame all my negative thoughts. I became positive person so much that I convinced myself that she likes me and we will end up together. And in the moment when she sent me her photo sealed it all.
At the start of the last month, she told me that she has a boyfriend. It more than a month and a half and I just cant.. do anything. My greatest wish, my only goal broke. And now I will have to go to study to Prague because its my only choice. It will be painful, everything will remind her.. I wrote dozens of poems about her. I was so happy that it started to fit so nicely together and now.. I dont have anything. And I dont want anyone else, I dont want to be happy without her, I just lost an angel.
I explained everything to her and she understood, she let my to send her all my poems. She was the first one who didnt block me in this situation. She is the kindest person on the Earth. I wrote and sent her a new collection of poems afterwards and it ended there.
I am goind to do my maturita exams, Im one of the smartest students in my school, Im going to study nuclear physics and yet, I hate myself fot being so successful in my school life but I never wanted this. All I want is just love, I dont care if I will have a poor job, or if I will have children, or an expensive house or car, I only want someone who would love me. And all of that I saw in this one girl. And its gone. All my dreams.. (O chose exactly the questions I wanted, 0,25% chance,..)
My family tried to help me as much as they could.. but they dont know how to help me. I started visiting a psychologist and I take antidepressants. But nothing of it will bring me her back, nothing of it will bring me back the meaning of life, my goals, wishes, dreams.
I dont want to put up with it. I feel like life showed me the best of it and than took it from me. I feel like I wouldnt be ever satisfied with it, like from all the paths that I couldve taken, this one will forever hurt me.
And so, tommorow, my life will just end. And I dont know what to do.
I just so much regret not encountering her while she was in our class. I cant read my poems anymore because its so painful to me.
I worry that I wont be ever able to create such a strong bond to anyone else. Such a strong longig, a desire.)
Now, my state got worse. I became convinced that reconciliation is just a lie, that my brain just finds a way to make it feel like its getting better but in reality, the situation is the same. I dont want to live in a lie. Therefore, Im not letting myself to be happy, Im doing everything to stay sad, even though it seems stupid.
So many people told me how kind I was with my poems.. But I dont want to write them for anyone else, I dont want to love anyone else, in fact, I cant imagine my life in college,..
I stopped imagining it. Im in a state when I dont allow myself to get better, its a closed spiral and I know it. Nothing will brimg me her back, no pills, no psychological help.
Since this monday, I started to have suicidal thoughts. I just feel much better when I sleep and today I was cursing myself that I ever woke up.
I dont know, this is probably my only hope. That you maybe say something that will change my view.

Source: https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/community_focus_gabriel
Some say that to create art, you need inspiration, which only derives from the gods. In today's case, you can say this art is very directly inspired from a whole pantheon.
As soon as we knew internally that The Pantheon was in development, we wanted to do something to commemorate such a unique activity. After some consideration, we ended up with this idea: a poster will all the raid bosses. We had the immense pleasure of working with Gabriel Flauzino and Displate to create the outstanding piece you saw last week.
Image Link^imgur
And today, we have the immense pleasure of getting to know Gabriel a bit more because he is the protagonist of our latest Community Focus.

Tell us a bit about yourself so our readers can know you better

Image Link^imgur
He-llo, dear reader! I'm happy to be here, but even happier that you are! I'm Gabriel Flauzino, aka FLZ, a 23-year-old art nerd, soon to be 24. Despite having some Italian blood and surname, I was born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, a place I affectionately like to call a tropical dystopia—but hey, summertime has always been my favorite!
It's hard for me to pinpoint who I am... Throughout the years, I've changed a lot, and in many ways, I’ve become a whole different animal. As a teenager, I played the keyboard and guitar; wrote poems, songs, and fables; painted digitally and traditionally; and studied physics and biology... I wanted to do it all. However, the sacred path of the digital pen was chosen, and being able to make a career out of it was a dream of mine.
The adult me (who usually drinks too many energy drinks, goes to the gym six days a week, and has ADHD as his worst enemy) got to live this dream, and I will never cease to show my appreciation towards Bungie and its wonderful community for helping me on the way.

Everyone has a story of how they first started playing Destiny. Would you share yours with us? And do you have a favorite class?

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I first played Destiny back in 2014, when I was 14, and it literally changed my way of seeing games. The amazing concept art, the marvelous storytelling through the scenarios, the lighting, the textures, the planets... I can still feel what I felt back in the day: a growing passion to tell my own stories and share my vision of what I saw when playing it. It's pure magic, and I hope I'm able to convey this feeling through my art to all of you.
Something in Destiny really caught my attention when I first saw it on E3 2014. I played a lot of games when I was a teenager, and they helped me learn English and specialize in an art style that resembles posters and splash art. Games like Persona 3, 4, and 5; Final Fantasy 7, 8, 10, and 12; and Shadow of the Colossus were some of the main games that marked my most nerdy years. My teenage years were really rough, I gotta tell you. Having the goal of pursuing an art career most definitely helped me to keep everything in check inside my noggin.
Destiny was already one of my favorite games back then, when I started making fan art of it in mid-2018. I couldn't make a dime from art until then, and believe me, I was trying hard. Fast forward to October 2019, when I won my first Art of the Week with an art style that I believe is my specialty: posters! Then my humble account of 40 followers grew to over 2,000 in a few days. It was honestly unbelievable. It's crazy when you realize people like what you do, that iit's not a delusion nor an illusion, and people actually care for the hard work you've been doing for countless sleepless nights.
On the topic of my favorite Destiny class, it's pretty hilarious how my class usually matches my current personality and hobbies. From 2014 to 2018, I mained Warlock, as all I wanted to do was study and read. Then 2018 to 2021 rolled in, and I mained Hunter as I entered a more, uh, emo phase. (Sorry, mom, it really was a phase.) Now, from 2022 onwards, I am a Titan main because I'm chronically addicted to the gym and boxing. Look, I'm a simple man. I see dudes with big arms, and I wanna be like them.

How would you define your art style? Where do you find inspiration?

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I would say my art is “safe.” Like, I genuinely like playing it safe when making my artwork, as I enjoy studying what has been done in the past. I often find myself drawing more inspiration from the work of John Collier, John Martin, or Arnold Böcklin, for example, than from any other artists from this generation. You may ask, "What does a 23-year-old fan art artist know about art history?" Exactly, I know nothing and will ultimately die as an apprentice, but I want to study what made the works of the other artists the most impressive pieces of art in human history.
With that said, while I consider my art style safe, I believe it can also impress. It takes time, but I often work more in my mind than on canvas, imagining how the final piece needs to look as well as what to do to achieve that, and most of the time, I won't stray away from the initial idea.
And where do I find inspiration? Artists like Aaron Blaise and Ethan Becker helped me to master tools like Photoshop and PureRef and manage good workflows that can achieve industry standards. Geniuses like Hayao Miyazaki taught me to dream higher and higher. Mutuals like AviixeArt, Brandon Meier, Kathi_Langley, and Gammatrap (Brandon McCamey) were and still are brilliant minds that I look upon in my career, and who I often find myself using as inspiration for countless works of mine.

So, raid bosses: what makes them so interesting that you have dedicated so many pieces to them?

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The real question is: who doesn't think raid bosses are interesting?! We all like good villains —and beating them. The idea that a collective and joint act can beat even the most powerful bad guys is something only the raiding experience in Destiny can deliver. You feel powerful and fulfilled with your achievement, and that's a peak experience in the world of video games.
One of my favorite games ever is the Dark Souls franchise. The feeling that a mere mortal is capable of facing literal Gods is something that the gaming genre delivers in an awe-inspiring and powerful way.
Illustrating all the power and malice of these villains on a canvas is to seal the idea that you and your friends conquered that battle together. Raids are my favorite part of Destiny: getting together with friends, suffering for countless hours (seriously, I spent 19 hours on Day 1 Deep Stone Crypt...), and sharing good memories. It really is something special, which I hope to memorialize in every piece I make.

I know picking a favorite is hard, but you can tell us... Which is your favorite?

I think this is an easy choice. Of all the villains we've ever faced, the one who finally showed us the horrors that exist among the stars was Oryx. From Aurash to Taken King, the Navigator has proven himself several times, and The Books of Sorrow are the apotheosis of Destiny's lore, in my opinion. Seeing Oryx's trajectory following his ideals, even the most terrible and distorted ones, until the end made the final showdown against him the most special moment in Destiny's history.
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The magic of fiction is being able to admire a villain's conviction, even if their actions are unimaginably cruel. Knowing that makes the moment when they are struck down much more complex and satisfying.
And in the end, with Touch of Malice, Oryx won. There’s a bittersweet truth we chose to ignore at the end of Books of Sorrow, that maybe Oryx wasn’t totally wrong. Maybe the universe is as unfair and cruel as Oryx once wrote, and maybe the Ravenous Heart will still pulse with the dying of the last stars and the last gulps of primordial black holes.

Now, let's talk about The Pantheon. Your Pantheon. Could you share with us how this piece came to be?

Look, I'm going to be brutally honest here: I caught a really bad case of COVID while making this artwork, but I was so determined to finish it. I just didn’t care. I swear to God, I got home from the hospital and went straight to work. It was not a lot of fun, but I was okay enough to paint and give it my best, so I'm happy I chose to do so. And I have to tell you, it was worth every second.
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First, I made two iterations of what I wanted the art to be, which was a poster of sorts, with all eight villains in their coolest poses possible. The artwork is definitely not gloomy nor dark, but rather it gives a sense of wonder and achievement. The Destiny art team helped me a bunch with some suggestions, which were very welcome, and I duly implemented them in the final piece.
I was able to draw a character each day, giving them all the attention and spotlight that I thought was necessary. Color-wise, it was kinda tough. Some characters like Atraks-1 stand out a lot, so adjusting the tone map to be pleasing to the eye was half of the process. Ultimately, this piece is something I already planned on doing when I first saw The Pantheon was launching, so I had a blast partnering with Bungie and Displate for the ride!
I’m absolutely pleased and pumped to see everyone’s reaction when The Pantheon of Gods ships. Bungie did an excellent job making these characters present again in the game, with a fun and memorable activity that to memorializes this moment in
Also, could I be a little biased by placing Oryx in front? Yes, I was.

Anything you would like to share with other artists out there? Maybe even some colleagues you want to mention?

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Alright, this may be the longest part of the blog post, so bear with me. Robert Schumann has always been an interesting figure for me. In addition to being an excellent pianist and composer, Schumann wrote something that has echoed with me: "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts—such is the duty of the artist."
For other artists out there reading this, what do you interpret from this? What do you think is your light, and what do you think is the darkness in the heart of mankind? I feel that, in an era that is stained more and more with the arrival of technologies that seek to destroy the essence of art, it is necessary to have both the sensitivity and softness to express oneself through the artistic medium as well as the perseverance and sense of justice to fight against these oppressive means. Do what you love, and if you send this light to someone's heart, you will be immortal.
That being said, all of this is only possible with a strong sense of community and a place where you are welcomed and admired. I would like to dedicate a little bit of everything I have ever achieved to some of the most special people I have had in my life and in my inspirations.
Mr. Stephen Boe, aka AviixeArt, and his enviable brushstrokes. Brandon, aka Gammatrap, and his extremely effective technique as well as his wonderful personality. Kathi, with her hypnotizing neon colors. Kevin, with his endless creativity. Gustavo Bleyer and Polux, for being dear countrymen and extremely talented. Robyn, for her dense, greenish brushstrokes. Emily and the way she does magic in traditional art. Seeing you all grow, along with many other artists, is what keeps me hopeful for the future of human art. Thank you for being here. And I would also like to thank Byf for the opportunity and recognition a few years ago during an art competition that he promoted. It was hella fun!

And before we go, please, let everyone know where they can find you online and enjoy your outstanding work.

I’m on Twitter and Instagram. Don't be shy, and feel free to talk to me there! If you just found out about my work, feel free to join along for the ride. There’s still much, much more to come.
Thank you for having me today! I'm looking forward to seeing all of you for The Final Shape, and beyond. Tchau!
No, Gabriel, thank you for working with us! It's been a real pleasure, and we can't wait to see your future works. And please, keep sharing your talent with the world.
Destiny 2 Community Team