Exactly. Recently went no contact with my parents because I was tired of always having to center their emotions in this conversation.

Cheering on the Toffees from Atlanta today! But then I’m traveling in to spend a week in Liverpool to catch my first game at Goodison vs. Leicester!

Today marked the ceremony to honor the third anniversary of Thay’s continuance. We can all carry on his legacy by choosing peace, healing, and mindfulness. Today and every day, be kind. #thichnhathanh #plumvillage #zen #buddhism

Foundryside made me think of a cyberpunk system complete with characters hacking the world around them. Tons of work to develop a scientific magic system, but nothing is more satisfying than watching characters use lateral thinking to solve problems within set parameters rather than deus ex magicka.

I think of it as adding extra expectations. So while the story has certain conventions and promises associated with romance or heist or whatever, fantasy adds conventions and promises to that. But any setting does that. Historical fiction, novels set in NYC, etc. all have specific expectations.

In my edits I’ve always said fantasy is the setting element, not a story convention. Sports/performance stories, romance/buddy stories, thrillers. To me the fun of modern fantasy is seeing these stories told in this setting rather than just the traditional journey across the map/hero’s journey.

That’s why movements like #breakingcodesilence are so important. Troubled Teen Industry survivors are speaking up and sharing their stories, even when they are painful or feel shameful, so that no more kids need to be abused like we were. Legislation like SICAA is a huge step, but we need much more.

To this day my parents stand by their decision to send me to these programs, claiming that they were “out of options.” My behaviors? I was bullied and angry. I swore at my mom and got in a couple fights. I was kicked out of my Christian private school and my parents were embarrassed at their church.

And these stories are far too common. Every year thousands of teens enter this industry, making the people who run these for-profit abuse factories billions (yes with a B) of dollars. These kids are repeatedly told, like I was, that their actions and decisions are to blame for their abuse.

And that was only the planned, sanctioned abuse. Countless sexual abuse and assault allegations have come out since we “graduated.” Many of my classmates have taken their own lives, ended up with severe substance abuse issues, or struggled for years to come to terms with the abuse we suffered.

From there I went to a therapeutic boarding school, Carlbrook, a place designed to break and brainwash children using “therapeutic” methods like Synanon’s The Game disguised as group therapy three times a week or lying in a coffin while your friends and peers screamed their worst judgements at you.

Hands down the best.