The Beginning of the Adventure

stop making villains so attractive it makes me question my morals

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:42:16 +0900

stop making villains so attractive it makes me question my morals

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Thu, 16 May 2013 21:42:13 +0900

Photo

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:39:20 +0900

happy mother’s day.

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:20:13 +0900

happy mother’s day.

motleyjack: thegoldenlasso: Inspired by this. No words...

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:20:10 +0900

motleyjack:

thegoldenlasso:

Inspired by this.

No words can express my love for this… <3

more Super Femmes

amazon-x: theladyj: amazon-x: fyfandomnails: The Avengers...

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:20:03 +0900

amazon-x:

theladyj:

amazon-x:

fyfandomnails:

The Avengers Nailsby ~jeealee

OK, I’m stumped, is the blue one supposed to be Thor? What am I not seeing? The others are AWESOME!

The silver makes his helmet!

Thank you! I usually don’t see cool shit like that. These are amazing nails, tho.

acceleratedfitness: THE MOST COMMON RUNNING INJURIES AND HOW TO...

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:55:48 +0900

acceleratedfitness:

THE MOST COMMON RUNNING INJURIES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

RUNNING RAGGED — THE NEED-TO-KNOW

Runner’s knee. Experiencing a tender pain around or behind the patella (or kneecap) is a sure sign of patellofemoral pain syndrome, a fancy term for runner’s knee. (And yep, this ailment is so common among runners it was named after them.)
Find relief: The repetitive force of pounding on the pavement, downhill running, muscle imbalances, and weak hips can put extra stress on the patella, so stick to flat or uphill terrain,and opt for softer running surfaces when or wherever possible. To treat the pain, some experts suggest knee taping and/or braces, anti-inflammatory medications, and cutting back on the mileage [1].

Achilles tendinitis. The swelling of the Achilles, the tissues that connect the heel to lower-leg muscles, can be the result of many finicky factors: rapid mileage increase, improper footwear, tight calf muscles, or even having anaturally flat foot [2].
Prevent the pain: To help sidestep this pesky pain, make sure to always stretch the calf muscles post-workout, and wear supportive shoes. Also, chill out on all the hill climbing, which puts extra stress on tendons. Anti-inflammatories, stretching, and the ol’ R.I.C.E strategy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) are the best ways to get back on the path to recovery.

Plantar fasciitis. This tricky-to-pronounce pain is due to the inflammation, irritation, or tearing of the plantar fascia — tissue on the bottom of the foot [3]. Just some of the causes include excess pounding on the roads or strapping on unsupportive footwear (read: flip-flops) to go the distance The result: extreme stiffness, or a stabbing pain in the arch of the foot (sounds like fun right?).
Soothe the sole: Wearing shoes with extra cushion, stretching and rolling a tennis ball over the heel, and getting ample rest can help dull the pain. If the problem persists, doctors recommend wearing custom-made orthotics, a night splint, or in some cases getting a steroid shot into the heel (ouch!) to speed up recovery and keep on keepin’ on.

Shin splints. If you’re a runner who’s never experienced that aching, stabbing sensation in the shin, please tell us your secret! Among the most nagging of injuries, shin splints occur when the muscles and tendons covering the shinbone become inflamed.

Stop the stabbing: Try icing the shins for 15-20 minutes and keeping them elevated at night to reduce swelling. Prevention is a liiiittle trickier, but some researchers find shock-absorbing insoles that support the arch may help [4]. Also make sure those sneaks are the right fit for the foot, and stick to running on softer grounds whenever possible. Avoid hills, too, which put extra force on the shin’s tibialis muscle.

Iliotibial band syndrome. Distance runners take note: This injury is not your friend.ITBS triggers pain on the outside of the knee, due to the inflammation of the Iliotibial band, a thick tendon that stretches from the pelvic pone down the tibia (the bone that runs down the thigh). Common culprits include increased mileage (half-marathon training, anyone?), downhill running, or weak hips [5].

Ease the ache: Give those muscles some love. Specific stretches, along with foam rolling, may decrease inflammation and help reduce pain.

Stress fracture. Non-contact sports can have some bone breaks, too. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone caused by repeatedly pounding greater amounts of force than the leg bones can bear.
Find time to chill: Taking some time off is a must and usually involves some crutches with a side of physical therapy. And in some cases, an x-ray may reveal it’s time to go under the knife (yikes!). To avoid the sidelines, make cross-training your BFF to avoid overuse, wear proper shoes, and get enough calcium to keep bones strong.

Patellar tendinitis. It’s often referred to as “jumper’s knee,” but this is one injury that’s just as common among distance runners [6]. Patellar tendinitis strikes when overuse (sensing a pattern here?) leads to tiny tears in the patellar tendon (the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone). Overpronation, over-training, and too many hill repeats are likely causes.
Tenderize it: To reduce the risk of patellar tendinitis, strengthen the hamstrings and quads (at the gym or at home!), and ice the knee at the onset of pain. Doctors also recommend physical therapy to help soothe and strengthen the tendon.

Ankle sprain. A sprain occurs when the ankle rolls in or outward, stretching the ligament (and causing some serious pain). Curbs, potholes, tree branches (or just an unfortunate landing) can be just a few of the unfortunate culprits.
Straighten Out: Recovery may be a little shaky at first, but many experts suggest doing balance exercises (like single-legged squats) to strengthen the muscles around the ankle [7]. Stick to some solid rest after the sprain occurs; how long depends on the sprain’s severity, so see a doc for a more specific game plan. They might also recommend an ankle brace or air cast, and taping it up when you’re ready to get back out there to prevent re-twisting.

Pulled muscles. When a muscle is overstretched, fibers and tendons can tear and cause a pulled muscle. (The calf and hamstring are common muscle pulls among runners! [8]). Overuse, inflexibility, and forgetting to warm-up are a few possible causes.
Prevent the pull: A proper warm-up, cool-down, and dynamic stretching pre-workout is the best way to avoid a pesky pull. While the pain persists, lay off (up to five days!), and stick to gentle stretching and icing the muscle.

Blisters. More annoying than a younger brother, blisters can pop up when we least expect it. As the heel rubs against the shoe, the top layer of skin can tear, leaving a bubble between the layers of skin.
Stop it or pop it: The best way to beat ‘em is prevention: Make sure the shoe (literally) fits, and wear a good pair of synthetic socks [9]. If a blister still appears, cover it up with special Band-Aids, moleskins, or gels.

Chafing. For most, there’s no escaping it. When skin rubs against skin (we’re looking at you, thighs), the skin can become angry and irritated.
Stop the sting: Avoid those short-shorts and throw on a pair of longer running shorts or capris to avoid that skin-on-skin action. When in doubt, there are also products like body-glide to keep things moving.

Side stitch. Ever get that awful pain on the side of the stomach? Formally called exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), side stitches can reallycreep up — affecting nearly 70 percent of runners. Many experts believe the pain is caused by the diaphragm beginning to spasm from being overworked and suggest poor running posture could be to blame.
Nix the stitch: Remember tostand up straight to help prevent a stitch. If it strikes, try bending forward and tightening the core, or breathing with pursed lips to help ease pain [10] [11].

JUST BEAT IT — YOUR ACTION PLAN

Still hell-bent on racking up the miles? (Yeah, most runners are.) Remember there’s a fine line between pushing through and pushing your luck — and only you (and your doctor) will know what’s best when the running gets rough. To minimize the aches and pains, though, consider these general tips to help stay on the safe side:

Stick to the 10 percent rule. Don’t increase mileage by more than 10 percent each week. Upping those miles unexpectedly is a major reason overuse injuries occur!

Warm up and cool down. Heading for an intense run? Remember to warm up and cool down to ease the body in and out of a workout. This will help keep injuries at bay [12].

Fix your form. Smooth and efficient is the key. Not only will poor form hinder performance, it could lead to unnecessary pain. So make sure to use correct running technique to prevent injuries, especially shin splints and back aches. Imbalances in the body can also lead to problems down the road, and it never hurts to visit a skilled physical therapist who can help identify and address any biomechanical issues.

Replace the sneaks. Keep track of how many miles those shoes have logged, and replace them every 600 miles — if not sooner!It’s also worth swinging by a specialty running shoe store, where they can help you figure out which shoe is the perfect fit.

Keep it even. Avoid running on uneven surfaces that put unnecessary stress on ligaments. And while off-roading is a fun change of pace, rough terrain may make it easier to twist an ankle — so be extra careful on the trails.

Strength train. Don’t disregard those dumbbells, even if running’s your main gig. Lifting can increase structuralfitness — which helps bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles endure all that pounding. Pay special attention tostrengthening hips, too, since weak hips are linked to higher rates of injury [13].

Know your limit. Shocker: Overtraining can cause overuse injuries. Make sure to take at least one day off per week, and mix up those fartleks and hill-repeatswith some easier recovery runs. Don’t forget to pencil in regular rest days, too. You (and your body) deserve it!

Disclaimer: Remember that none of this information should substitute professional medical advice. Definitelycheck with a doctor or physical therapist first once those aches and pains arise!

This article was read and approved by Greatist Experts Mike Reinold and Terra Castro.

What’s been your worst running injury?

marielikestodraw: weareallmedie: lovelymoonbeams: stunningpict...

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:27:53 +0900

marielikestodraw:

weareallmedie:

lovelymoonbeams:

stunningpicture:

‘Cause people seem to only post the 20-something Audrey Hepburn

this is genuinely the first photo i’ve seen of her looking older

Damn, if I age half that well.

Holy gorgeous.

dduane: Boing.

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:25:25 +0900

dduane:

Boing.

dduane: robowolves: feriowind: Not the sexy lingerie like I...

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:16:58 +0900

dduane:

robowolves:

feriowind:

Not the sexy lingerie like I had promised, but I kept thinking how Tony wearing only the gloves and feet of the Mark 42 looked super cute and kinda reminded me of anime girls wearing big boots and gloves, which just made me want to draw this 8UUU So yeah, Magical Boy Tony Stark ~*~*~*~

(by Spader7)

Okay, that triggered a coughing fit… (Coming down with a spring cold. Most things are triggering coughing fits today.)

tymethiefslongerthoughts: kawaiimon: theinturnet: Why...

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:08:27 +0900

tymethiefslongerthoughts:

kawaiimon:

theinturnet:

Why promote a company but not add a link?

http://www.childsown.com/

Now that’s just cool.

Infographic: Is Your State's Highest-Paid Employee A Coach? (Probably)

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:00:16 +0900

Infographic: Is Your State's Highest-Paid Employee A Coach? (Probably):

wilwheaton:

You may have heard that the highest-paid state employee in each state is usually the football coach at the largest state school. This is actually a gross mischaracterization: Sometimes it is the basketball coach.
Based on data drawn from media reports and state salary databases, the ranks of the highest-paid active public employees include 27 football coaches, 13 basketball coaches, one hockey coach, and 10 dorks who aren’t even in charge of a team.

This is appalling.

US: Philadelphia Mayor to sign landmark LGBT protection bill into law

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:36:14 +0900

US: Philadelphia Mayor to sign landmark LGBT protection bill into law:

thewayistare:

the-bitch-goddess-success:

whathappenedtocharlotte:

aspookypandaforamanda:

isincerelyhatetheinternet:

“The Mayor of the US city of Philadelphia is to sign a city-wide ordinance offering protections, and benefits for LGBT citizens into law, in a ceremony on Thursday.”

Go read the whole article

It’s not just focusing on gay and lesbian partnership rights anymore

I mean look at this

“It will make city forms gender neutral, and makes it easier for transgender residents to request gender markers on some records, and name changes. Gender-neutral bathrooms are also required in city-controlled buildings, as well as access to buildings based on gender identity.

“Healthcare discrimination against non-union transgender city employees will also be banned, and the legislation ensures that employees in Philadelphia will be able to dress in accordance with their gender identity.”

No one’s ever cared before and now it is just like “here is a windfall of unexpectedly amazing things now go live your life in happiness”

Way to go Philly!

WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

GET ‘EM, MIKE!

love this

and i like and appreciate that the discourse is changing from the dismissive “idc who somebody sleeps with” to a whole gang of aspects of life discriminated against/made harder by one’s sexuality/gender

jebiwonkenobi: When I was little I thought being an adult meant not having a bed time but I’ve come...

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:31:21 +0900

jebiwonkenobi:

When I was little I thought being an adult meant not having a bed time but I’ve come to realize that it just means being in charge of my own bed time and it turns out that I am not equipped to handle that responsibility.

Photo

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:30:06 +0900

"Seriously, if we believe a 14 year old is too immature to know how to take a pill, do we really..."

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:28:11 +0900

“

Seriously, if we believe a 14 year old is too immature to know how to take a pill, do we really think she’s adult enough to handle an unwanted pregnancy?

The truth is that the age restriction is completely arbitrary, tied only to our puritanical comfort levels. And listen, I get it; I think it’s fair to say that most people are uncomfortable with the idea of a 14 year old having sex. But here’s the thing - access to Plan B isn’t about keeping a 14 year old from having sex - by the time she gets to the pharmacy, that ship has sailed - it’s about keeping a 14 year old who has already had sex from getting pregnant. And despite what urban legend (or past embarrassing FDA memos) may tell you, making emergency contraception more available is not more likely to make young teens have sex - it will just make them less likely to end up pregnant.

We can’t let our discomfort with teen sex trump young people’s right to sexual and reproductive health and we can’t continue to let politics trump science. If we care about young women’s health and bodily autonomy and integrity, we’ll drop all age restrictions from emergency contraception. Anything less isn’t just illogical - it’s immoral.

”

- “Hey, FDA: Drop the Plan B Age Restriction,” my latest at The Nation (via jessicavalenti)

Lightning Under the Milky Way “Lightnings And Stars At...

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:22:17 +0900

Lightning Under the Milky Way

“Lightnings And Stars At Lake Korission Corfu, Milkyway Galaxy: Photo of Milky Way at Mount of St. Matthew with magnificent view at lake Korrision, undr the storms at the back is the island of Paxos and the left Lightnings is hitting Preveza and the right lightning strikes at mount Enos of Kefalonia.” — B. Metellinos

talkaboutspaceships: Couple has really awesome...

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:47:22 +0900

talkaboutspaceships:

Couple has really awesome Batgirl/Nightwing wedding cause they’re awesome. (source: http://imgur.com/a/XSADm)

fastcompany: Floating Sheep’s map charting hate tweets,...

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:36:46 +0900

fastcompany:

Floating Sheep’s map charting hate tweets, which allows you to search on several flavors of hate, is a creative use of data and mapping to raise awareness.

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Tue, 14 May 2013 22:27:56 +0900