Jaywalk

Hoo, boy, here we go. To say that the last year has changed me profoundly would be an understatement. This year brought some of my darkest moments, but also some of my brightest. I’ve yet to be officially diagnosed with anxiety, but I don’t think you need a diagnosis to know that something is very, very wrong. Like with a physical ailment, you see the signs, deal with the pain, all before you see the diagnosis. I had my first major anxiety attack in November of 2019, and both before and after, I’ve had this weight on my mind. It never leaves, and at this point, I don’t expect it to. I almost can’t imagine my life without anxiety. A year ago, I was stuck in my house, seeing pretty much nobody but my family save for over video call. I felt so alone at so many points. That didn’t change when I was able to see people again either. I can feel alone in a group of people, even if they are my best friends. My anxiety whispers that there is nothing but loneliness. The first day of school came, finally back in person, and I slipped into the background, thinking that nobody noticed me. This fall, I’m headed off to college. My anxiety is almost overwhelming when I think too much about it. But I’ve learned to find strength from others. Serving others has a power in it—when we turn our hearts outward, looking for the people who need help, we receive help in return. I have incredible people in my life, from my parents to my girlfriend to all of my best friends—they bless my life every day. I recently started therapy, and that has allowed me to find strength in myself as well. My message to you all: There is hope. Even in your darkest moments. Without the darkness, there could not be light. Find strength, wherever that may come from. There is no one size fits all treatment, but there is power in enduring. Enduring is a battle that lasts forever, but it’s a battle worth fighting. Never forget that. Fight that battle, and come out the other side stronger than before.

Pulled out his flute and started into a rendition of...

Because nobody knew what Vax was in the first place.

Because the ghanderflaffle empire was rising.

You reversed your claim and turned it into second person.

^My entire thinking reading through this thread

And her cousin’s ex-boyfriend’s orphaned dog.

Of capitalist oppression.

The French and Indian war began.

The Central Orbiting Recursive Nation, that is.

Which is why they staged a rebellion against the almighty Meneral Gills company.

But until then, they were only toast.

It seems unpopular depending on where I look, but Shallan and Adolin’s plot was easily the most interesting part of the book for me. The Urithiru plot felt too self-contained for me, as much as I enjoyed it. The Shadesmar plot made me feel like the world was bigger, gave me more minor characters to love, and had some genuinely excellent moments. I found myself brought to tears on a reread as Formless emerged, and Maya’s “WE CHOSE” made me feel everything. I think a large portion of my love for this plot came from my identifying with both Adolin and Shallan. Adolin’s earnest drive is inspiring to me, and his conflict with his father while he still strives to make Dalinar proud is something I heavily relate to. I certainly can’t say I struggle with DID myself, but Shallan’s struggles were portrayed in such a way that I related to her too. The idea of repressing the darkness within myself is something I see a frankly disturbing amount of the time, and wearing many different faces is something I’m experiencing as well, her integration of Veil an exaggerated version of me learning to let myself be genuine. Perhaps that’s unpopular, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s my opinion nonetheless.

Vegetables were encroaching on their territory.

Provolone being his alter-ego.

The audience was very confused that they’d ended their song right there.

Before Max could even think about it, he reached out and snatched the pen from Michael's fingers. "So this would... get you into the database?"

Mainly due to a nearby wormhole.

I wish for vast wealth and wisdom.

The Nightwatcher stares at you for a moment, then breaks into tears. "To do such a thing would mean the end of everything," she sobs. But with a snap of her fingers, your wish is granted anyway.

Also heteronyms.

Of canning, about which they taught several emergency preparedness classes.

That he read in the ingredient facts of a can of peaches.