fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
A semester-long experiment with a criminal justice-centered newsletter
By: Karen Wang
Tags: Criminal Justice, Newsletter, Criminal Justice Reform, Reflection

When I first decided to start my newsletter, Puzzler, I was worried. I barely had any prior knowledge of the criminal justice field, nor did I ever write anything around that topic. I was nervous to start writing about it because I worry about my authority. I always think: ‘why would people want to read a newsletter from a journalism student when they can find more authoritative content online?’

But I started my newsletter anyway because my interest in the subject matter is pushing me out of my comfort zone and prompting me to start writing — from random thoughts pieced together to more structured analysis, and to a full-on interview that received positive comments from strangers. I never call myself a good writer, and to be honest, I am afraid of writing even though I am a journalism major. And that is exactly why I want to challenge myself and get my voice out through a topic I genuinely care about.

Pitch deck for my newsletter Puzzler

Struggles

Puzzler did not have an easy start. I had a hard time deciding what content to put on my newsletter. My first post, a combination of book reviews and an introduction to my newsletter, did not perform well. Partly, I did not have an audience base, and I was not sure which platform I should go to promote my newsletter. But I also ascribe the failure to the limitation on my topic. Initially, I wanted to focus on mystery fiction reviews. But I soon realized how that only appeals to a particular community, and that I would not be able to expand scope later on.

First discussion question posted

Therefore, I took a different approach and focused more on the current criminal justice reform in the United States. After initial research and extensively talking to experts, I realized how pervasive technology has been for law enforcement agencies. I examined the relationship between different technologies and policing; specifically, I studied the implementation and implication of body-worn cameras, mass surveillance and other technologies. Surprisingly, in a discussion question I posted on Reddit, it seems that people are not aware of how powerful and ubiquitous technology is in law enforcement. Therefore, as I plan to continue my newsletter, I will focus more on the intersection of technology and law enforcement, including the dilemma of artificial intelligence bias (this will probably be my next post, so tune in!)
Artificial Intelligence and its Problematic Nature in Criminal Justice
By: Mark King
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Racial Equity, Criminal Justice Reform, Criminal Justice, Risk Assessment

AI could have a massive impact on the future of the U.S. justice system.

Introduction

If there’s anything that has come to light about our criminal justice system in the United States, it's that our justice system is incredibly flawed and dysfunctional. With racial disparities, mass incarceration rates, Draconian drug laws, hyper criminalization of the average person, it becomes increasingly harder every day to support this broken system in the United States.

Many lawmakers and judicial heads have begun to take notice of these evident flaws in our justice system. However, instead of dismantling the flaws and reinstating more equitable and fair laws, lawmakers have opened the floodgates of artificial intelligence on these issues.

In hopes of fixing this deteriorating criminal justice system, the application and implementation of AI has become a full-fledged reality in the justice system. Many lawmakers have turned to forms of artificial intelligence such as “risk-based assessment tools”. But there's one problem with this. Artificial intelligence might just be exacerbating the same problem that the U.S. criminal justice system is frantically trying to fix: racial bias.
The Kalief Browder Case: Injustice in the Justice System
By: Matt Reicher
Tags: History, BlackLivesMatter, Criminal Justice, True Crime, Courts

Riker’s Island

Kalief Browder at Riker’s Island (via Huffington Post)

He was sent to the Robert N. Davoren Center (R.N.D.C.) to serve his sentence alongside roughly six-hundred other young men aged sixteen to eighteen. The facility was well-known for its grim conditions and violence against staff and inmates — both from other inmates and the on-duty guards. If you weren’t with “The Program” and willing to acquiesce to the demands of the other inmates, you risked constant beatings at any time. Browder, unwilling to be in a position contrary to his morals, refused to take part and was forced to defend himself.

Meanwhile, as the case moved forward, the judge appointed Public Defender Brendan O’Meara to represent Browder. Maintaining his innocence, the boy thought the case would be over quickly, and he would regain his freedom. His attorney assumed the same, figuring that a case like this with a single witness would conclude in little time. Sadly, both were incorrect.

On July 28, 2010, he and his lawyer appeared before a judge. Browder pleaded not guilty and intended to go to trial. Because of his prior guilty plea, the judge remanded the now seventeen-year-old without bail.

Browder’s relatively straightforward case, and his day in court, was continuously impeded by the prosecution under the parameters of New York’s “Ready Rule.” The law only required prosecutors to be ready to go to trial in six months — not actually to begin one. From July 2010 to May 2013, trial dates were pushed back over twenty-eight times. Browder appeared before nine different judges over that nearly three-year period of time, and prosecutors managed to remain within the legal parameters of their time requirement.

The constant delays demoralized Browder. He knew he was innocent and assumed the opportunity to clear his name would successfully end with him being released from Riker’s and allowed to go home. Now he was alone on the inside, placed in a position to defend himself against others trying to do him physical harm.

One of the many fights Browder was a part of led to his being beaten by upwards of fifteen different inmates while two guards attempted to fend off the mob of assailants. As a result of the incident, Correction officers placed Browder in solitary confinement — a place he remained for the large majority of his time over the next fourteen months. This meant that he was alone, locked in a small room for up to twenty-three hours a day.

This treatment was unconscionable and tantamount to torture for anyone, let alone a seventeen-year-old young man that was yet to be convicted for the crime he had allegedly committed.
17 Felony Animal Cruelty Charges in Case Involving 220+ West Seattle Animals
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: King County, King County Prosecutor, Animal Cruelty, Criminal Justice, West Seattle

This week, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed 17 felony animal cruelty charges against Matthew Hazelbrook. This is the case announced in October by the Seattle Animal Shelter and Seattle police.

One of the rescued rabbits in the care of the Seattle Animal Shelter. Additional photos of the saved animals are posted on the shelter’s blog, The Scoop. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Animal Shelter.)

Mr. Hazelbrook’s arraignment, where he’s expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Mr. Hazelbrook posted bond Oct. 16 on the $7,500 bail amount set by a judge. (The King County Jail is separate from our office.)

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked a judge to order Mr. Hazelbrook to not possess/own/transport/reside with any animals, not leave the state of Washington, to keep his address up-to-date with the court and have no new law violations. A judge agreed.

If you suspect an animal is being harmed, you can contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at 206–386–7387. The phone number for the King County Regional Animal Shelter is 206–296–7387 (PETS).

In the 24 hours after the arrest was announced, the Seattle Animal Shelter received an outpouring of support from community members, residents and organizations that want to help the animals.

Staff there said the best way to do that is through direct donations to the shelter’s Help the Animals Fund or via the shelter’s Amazon Wish List — though the outpouring of support was so great, the entire Amazon Wishlist was filled twice in two days. Shelter staff updated the list to reflect the needs for the 220-plus animals that were in the shelter’s care. The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is also collecting donations for the animals here.

Animal Shelter Director Ann Graves said staff may need the support of its foster community to help care for the animals so as not to strain capacity and resources at the shelter.



“The animals are in a very, very fragile state given the conditions they’ve been in and the stress of being moved to a new location,” Graves said in October. “But they are doing well in our care and our shelter team has done an incredible job in this all-hands-on-deck situation.”

The West Seattle case was discovered in part thanks to a community member who saw something and took action.

“We can’t thank the community member enough who sounded the alarms and, ultimately, helped save the lives of these 222 animals and to the Seattle Police Department for their invaluable assistance on this case.”

Information from the Seattle Animal Shelter’s blog is included in this post. This post is current as of November 19 and is not expected to be updated. For additional case updates, see King County Superior Court file 20–1–07262–8.
Jussie Smollett Case: Assault to Indictment
By: Victoria Mata
Tags: Assault, Hate Crimes, Jussie Smollett, Criminal Justice, False Flag

By Victoria Mata, Owen Kuck, Mark Moses, and Kennedy Huizar

November 20th, 2020

On January 22nd of 2019 a threatening letter was sent to “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, launching a police investigation. Just days later, Smollett reported to Chicago police officers that he was assaulted by two white men for being black and gay. Within a few days after the incident the Chicago Police Department and the general public became suspicious of Smollett and his story. Nearly a month after the attack the police announced that they believed the attack was staged by Smollett as a means to gain media attention. At this point, the city of Chicago moved to charging Smollett with a felony, only to have the charges dropped. Later on Smollett was sued by the city of Chicago and the men he hired to conduct the attack, but he continued to stand by his original narrative. Six months after the attack, the case was investigated by a special prosecutor who introduced new charges against Smollett.
Burien Assault 3 Charge
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: Criminal Justice, King County, King County Prosecutor

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged a woman with Assault in the Third Degree.

Police investigators say that on November 6 the defendant was seen by citizens speeding “at 100 MPH” in a Safeway parking lot. Later, she approached a Staple’s employee outside the business, jumped on the employee’s back and punched him in the kidney.

When an officer arrived on the scene and attempted to detain her, she resisted arrest and bit the deputy twice in the forearm.

Our office requested the defendant be held on bail, and a judge agreed, setting bail at $10,000.

Her arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.

This post is current as of Nov. 18, 2020 and is not expected to be updated. To see updates, the King County Superior Court case number 20–1–06819–1.
Redmond Murder Charge
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: Redmond, Criminal Justice, King County, King County Prosecutor

Last week, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged a man with murder in the first degree.

According to the Redmond Police Department investigation, on May 12 the defendant shot and killed his mother in her bed. After allegedly killing her, he hid the murder weapon and waited for hours to notify the police of her death.

Our office requested bail in the amount of $2,000,000.

His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 25.

This post is current as of Nov. 18, 2020 and is not expected to be updated. To see updates, the King County Superior Court case number 20–1–05695–9.
District Attorney Krasner Statement on Re-Suspension of Court Functions Due to COVID-19
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Covid 19, Criminal Justice, Press Release, Philadelphia

CONTACT:

Jane Roh, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 18, 2020) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday issued the following statement on the First Judicial District’s decision to suspend criminal jury trials until January 2021:

“Re-suspending jury trials, as they are currently handled by the courts in Philadelphia County, is the right thing to do for public health at this time. However, we can do better. All criminal justice stakeholders need to look to best practices in other jurisdictions that are allowing the people’s business to be handled in court as much as possible in these difficult times. Better practices exist and are possible in Philadelphia, with careful and thoughtful action. The District Attorney’s Office calls on all our criminal justice partners to join us to make our courts work for everyone and to moderate our jail populations in light of the pandemic.

“That said, rising COVID-19 infections and deaths here in Pennsylvania and across the country are a direct result of our federal government’s total abdication of duty to protect Americans and get this pandemic under control. We should all be outraged at the lack of a coordinated federal response to ensure rapid, mass testing and treatment, as well as relief measures so that workers are not forced to put themselves and others in danger in order to make rent, feed their families, or save for their futures. Not only is the federal government’s negligence contributing directly to more sickness and death from this virus, it is impeding law enforcement’s ability to protect communities from gun violence and our ability to investigate and resolve criminal matters in a timely manner.”

###

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.
A reflection on this semester
By: Lee Fisher
Tags: Criminal Justice, Reflection

This semester, I have attempted to shed some light on several different factors that have contributed to a broken criminal justice system in the United States. I have explored policing, for-profit prisons, prosecutorial discretion, grand juries, and the 1994 Crime Bill. My research on these issues was eye-opening for me. I was able to go beyond the headlines that brought these problems to the forefront and dig in to their causes and effects. I have come away with a deeper understanding of just how ingrained prejudice and abuses of power are in our country’s institutions.

However, the most important component of the semester was researching and proposing possible strategies for reform. This was not a straightforward task. If there was a simple fix for all of the problems plaguing the criminal justice system, it surely would have been fleshed out and implemented by now. But nothing is easy, and rooting out deeply ingrained racial and class prejudice from a structure hundreds of years old is no exception.

I set out to look at academic perspectives on this issue first. I figured that there must be one person or a collection of people out there that knew much more about this topic than I did. What I didn’t expect was to stumble upon one part of a solution myself, entirely by accident. In the second week of the semester, I wrote about a conversation I had with my mom about the Black Lives Matter protests. Over the course of a few days, my discussions with her changed her perspective on the protests and her support for them increased. I realized something that activists everywhere have known for years: face-to-face conversations have an undeniable role to play in changing hearts and minds and ultimately reforming systems.

This story became a critical part of my solution and then evolved further as I developed my manifesto. It grew to include large-scale activism and a concrete plan full of action items that made up the lead-in as well as the aftermath of Engaging, as I called it. Writing this manifesto that encapsulated my thoughts about criminal justice reform and the approach that I thought would be most effective was both fascinating and rewarding. I am grateful that I was able to spend time learning more about a topic that is so pressing and that I was pushed to think long and hard about necessary solutions.

In the future, I want to continue to learn more about the problems that plague the American legal system as well as strategies for reform. I want to continue to follow the news and current events, but the way that I do so has changed as a result of this project. As I’ve advised others, I’m wary of traditional corporate media sources. I’m more interested in alternative media, in personal conversations, and in action once I have informed myself adequately. I know it will continue to be a learning process, but I don’t want that to inhibit the call to action that I have felt for a long time. I hope it won’t.
Auburn Second-Degree Burglary Charge
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: Auburn, King County, King County Prosecutor, Criminal Justice

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged a 42-year-old man with second-degree burglary after police said he stole hundreds of dollars worth of hard cider.

On Nov. 10, an employee of an Auburn hard cider company called 911 to report that he could see items stolen from his company about 100 yards north in a transient camp. The employee told police a man in his 40s was moving items into the wooded area behind the camp.

The cider company employee told police there were several large pallets missing cases of hard cider, that a cart also was missing, and a roll-up door at the business was damaged from the bottom. A metal pole was found nearby consistent with it being used the pry the door open.

Police contacted the suspect, who had been previously trespassed from the complex. They reported finding several stolen cases of hard cider and other items in the nearby wetland area. A neighborhood business provided video of the burglary, which occurred shortly before 4 a.m.

The damage and stolen property totaled $1,543, staff at the hard cider company told Auburn police.

The defendant is also suspected by police of having nearly $1,000 of property from another nearby business. The business reported the items stolen from their warehouse.

His arraignment, where the defendant is expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 25

This post is current as of Nov. 15, 2020 and is not expected to be updated. To see updates, the King County Superior Court case number 20–1–06887–6.
Promoting Prostitution Charge
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: Criminal Justice, King County, King County Prosecutor

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a felony charge of promoting prostitution in the second degree against a man after a Sheriff’s Office investigation along Aurora Avenue North in Seattle.

In October, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office were conducting the operation in the 13500 block of Aurora Avenue North. A female detective was working in plainclothes when contacted by the suspect.

They allegedly discussed sexual acts, and the man allegedly said he could get an apartment and a bank account in both of their names. The plainclothes detective also said they discussed a fee she would pay him.

The detective said the texting continued almost daily until Oct. 27 when the suspect said he was going to get an apartment “near the track by Northgate.” Investigators said on Nov. 6, the suspect agreed to meet at a motel along the Wallingford side of Aurora Avenue North.

King County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 45-year-old South Seattle man there and said he was in possession of the phone the plainclothes detective had been texting. He denied being involved in promoting prostitution.

In charging documents, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office noted his criminal history — which includes seven warrants since 2005 for failing to appear in court — and the added dangers of prostitution during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If the defendant further engages in or promotes prostitution upon his release, his behavior has the potential to increase the transmission of Covid-19 in the community and place other Washington state residents at risk of contracting the disease,” a deputy prosecuting attorney wrote in the bail request.

A judge set bail at $2,000. His arraignment, where the defendant is expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Nov. 25.

This case is the 14th promoting prostitution case filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office this year. That number also includes charges of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor — the charge when juveniles are involved. In 2019, our office filed 23 cases. In 2018, there were 17 cases filed.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles promoting prostitution cases because those crimes are felonies (first- or second- degree) under Washington State law, and felonies investigations are referred by police to our office.

Prostitution itself is a misdemeanor, and such misdemeanor crimes in Seattle are referred by police to the separate Seattle City Attorney’s Office rather than the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Patronizing a prostitute — soliciting or requesting sexual contact from another person for a fee — also is a misdemeanor referred to the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.
For the Commonwealth: Assistant District Attorney Zach Wynkoop
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Criminal Justice, Philadelphia, Prosecutor

For the Commonwealth highlights the important work our prosecutors are doing to help secure justice in specific cases brought by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant District Attorney Zach Wynkoop of our Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit helped secure justice recently in a case involving a defendant convicted after a waiver trial for Attempted Murder and Possession with Intent to Distribute. The defendant was accused of entering a restaurant and firing a gun at a former partner’s head, narrowly missing her. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence and several hundred grams of heroin were seized. The defendant is scheduled for sentencing before the Hon. Lucretia Clemons in January 2021.
Federal Execution Thursday at 4pm & More: Take Action!
By: Death Penalty Action
Tags: Protest, Trump, Criminal Justice, Social Justice, Death Penalty

It’s a big week for anti-death penalty work.

But first, in case you missed it, a leading voice in our movement died suddenly on Thursday.

Bill Pelke made international headlines when he forgave Paula Cooper, a 15-year-old girl sent to death row for the murder of Bill’s grandmother. Bill, pictured above protesting a recent federal execution outside the federal death house in Terre Haute, became a leader in our movement and founded the Journey of Hope …From Violence to Healing, the only remaining organization led by murder victim family members opposed to the death penalty. Read more about Bill and his work here.

We are heartbroken by Bill’s death, and inspired and spurred to further action in support of his legacy.

The execution of Orlando Hall is scheduled for 4pm on Thursday.

Additional Events this week — click for details.

ALSO: OHIO INITIATIVE

We’ve launched an initiative to urge the Ohio Governor and General Assembly to more SB 296 to abolish Ohio’s death penalty during the current lame duck legislative session.

Death Penalty Action Needs Your Support. Click here to watch our inspiring 4 minute campaign video. Then….

Help Us Be Ready.

DONATE NOW!

Yours in the Struggle,

— abe

Abraham J. Bonowitz

Director, Death Penalty Action

PS: Three federal executions remain scheduled in the coming weeks, and Death Penalty Action is leading the grassroots opposition. Sign and share our new petition urging president Trump to halt the executions.

PPS: Please share our posts on Twitter, Facebook, and now on Instagram too!
For the Commonwealth: Assistant District Attorney Kara Heininger
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Criminal Justice, Philadelphia, Prosecutor

For the Commonwealth highlights the important work our prosecutors are doing to help secure justice in specific cases brought by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant District Attorney Kara Heininger of our Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit helped secure justice in a case involving a defendant convicted of sexually abusing a niece. The survivor reported the abuse she endured as a child after becoming an adult. The defendant will be sentenced by the Hon. Sierra Street.
West Seattle Second-Degree Assault Charges
By: King County Prosecuting Attorney S Office
Tags: Criminal Justice, West Seattle, King County, King County Prosecutor

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed second-degree assault charges against a man for an unprovoked attack on a 73-year-old victim near the West Seattle Food Bank.

The incident happened the morning of Nov. 11. Police investigators said the 42-year-old suspect, who had been trespassed from the Food Bank earlier that day in a separate incident, punched the 73-year-old man who was walking with his wife near 35th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Morgan Street.

The man was knocked unconscious and suffered an orbital bone fracture. He spent 12 hours at Harborview Medical Center.

The suspect was previously convicted of murder in a 1996 case, prosecuted by our office. He was released by the Department of Corrections around 2014. This case would be the second strike offense for the defendant.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he presents a significant danger to the community, and a judge agreed to setting bail at $100,000. An arraignment, where the suspect is expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Justice Journal — November 2020 — Issue 10
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Criminal Justice, Newsletter, Philadelphia

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6 spontaneous things to do with friends
By: Victoria Fernandez
Tags: Spontaneous, Ideas, Fun, Friends

6 spontaneous things to do with friends

•dress up in dresses and tuxedos and go into McDonald’s like if you were in a fancy restaurant

•play roblox with friends doesn’t matter how old you are just do it it’s fun

•learn sign language or a secret language in between you and your friends so no one knows what you are saying

•redo your room move your bed, cabinets , and decorations around

•organize your closet by color coordination and you can donate anything that you don’t want anymore

•take Ariel yoga classes it’s so much fun hanging and doing tricks on the silks
Heavenly Experience
Tags: Friends, Family, Christmas, Love, Happy

Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels

I want to share a spiritual experience I have had with you today. Unfortunately, we had this experience via Zoom, which I wish I had lived face to face.

Let me start my words without further branching out… I attended the Protestant Church Sunday service today. As a result of my thesis research, I met with the church director in the city where I live and he invited me to their ceremony. I encountered a large group of community from children to the elderly. Especially since I just joined, they gave me the right to speak. It was such a warm and sincere welcome… It wouldn’t be a lie if I said that I was moved to tears after I closed Zoom.

Religion is a very specific and subjective phenomenon, and this is not discussed through a blog post, of course. What I just meant is that it was invaluable to meet an effortless, unrequited, tolerant, warm embrace in these difficult times, especially in a time when I closed myself to love…

Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels

We are going through a difficult period. Our mental health is so susceptible to deterioration! The love and sincerity that a community showed me at an unexpected moment, regardless of religion, made me write this article.

Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels

Having this experience this afternoon stuck in my mind and I can say that it saved me in the near of a spiritual breakdown. It was an incredible experience to attend that ritual! I wish everyone to embrace each other with love regardless of religion, language, gender or race. In this way, maybe you can save a person who has darkness in his heart.

I wish everyone a loving merry Christmas!
The struggles of friendship during a pandemic.
By: Ashley Coots
Tags: Friends, Anxiety, Friendship, Life Lessons

So this whole pandemic thing has lasted much longer than most of us were thinking it would be in March. For a Canadian like me who is back to being stuck indoors looking out at the snowy abyss, feels like a bit of deja vu coming on.

Through spring it was a novelty to stay in your PJs and do a Zoom drinking session with a few friends from the comfort of your own couch. Quite honestly, I probably committed more to plans than I had in the 6 months prior because there was no build up to having to get ready to leave the house. Plus everyone got to share whatever new viral food or drink they had found from TikTok. Remember whipped coffee? Still good, but who wants to put in that effort every day.

Summer brought a bit more normalcy. Backyard hangouts, restaurants and bars had their patios, and everyone more or less choosing their ‘bubble’ of people to hang out with. It was actually the perfect opportunity to weed out those tag along friends. You know, those people that you were maybe friends with 10 years ago, and they really only hang out with one person in the group but no one else really likes them. “Sorry, we already have 10 people, maxed out, maybe next time”. Choosing your bubble and having those same people choose you wasbasically a modern day IRL MySpace Top Friends list.

Then came Fall. Things were still going alright, but any friends you weren’t able to see through the summer are almost strangers at this point. Masks in all public places, but among friends there was an honour system. The warnings of another lock down looming, so we squeezed in every last minute we could before having to start thinking about seeing our families for the holidays. The realization that each hangout could be the last time you would see your friend’s whole face not though a screen sucked.

So what now? Its winter, we’re in lockdown, we’re over it. No one wants to be the asshole who causes an outbreak that takes out someone’s family member. Do we go back to drinks over Zoom? It was fun the first time around, but even that seems like a chore to bring energy into a virtual hang. Rekindle old friendships with people you haven’t seen all year via Messenger? The amount of times “We should get together when all this is over” has been exchanged between people who have no intention of ever hanging out has to unimaginable at this point. It is also exhausting to ‘catch up’ with someone who has also done nothing but work from home and see the same 3 friends.

Adult friendships are hard enough to navigate between shifting priorities, maturity levels and just finding mutual free time. It may be time to accept that we may all be reduced to sharing memes and liking each other’s pictures for the next few months. We can resume friendships as usual when taking a bite of each other’s food doesn’t instill anxiety. Unless of course you have that friend who’s ‘just a bite’ is most of your plate. Fuck that friend.
Christmas Day
By: Richard Eaton
Tags: Photos, Project365, Friends, Photography, Christmas

Photo of the day 360/366

A great day with presents in the morning, going out for Christmas dinner with friends for lunch, an afternoon in Danang with ice skating, and more food out in the evening where we managed to find the elusive Christmas pudding 👍

#project365
NOT EVERYONE IS YOUR FRIEND
Tags: Friends, Pandemic, Pandemic Diaries, Its What You Choose, Friendship

NOT EVERYONE IS YOUR FRIEND

Everyone in this world has suffered from loneliness, it’s a basic human emotion ,but because of these difficult times ,where everyone is forced to stay alone, adviced no physical contact with others.

You get to see, to realise that everyone you considered your friend, is not. People you see people everyday and are required to spend 7+ hours with others, you tend to think they are your friends, they talk to you, stay with you through difficult times , help you figure out your emotions when you dont know how to feel….

But during these times one thing that i learnt is that some of the people u consider your friends are only around you because they need to be, when there won’t be any compulsion for them to stay , to be around you….that’s when u see the people who genuinely want to be around you ,who care about you and make time for you even when they don’t gain anything from it.

When they dont need to be around you, when they don’t see you everyday, and don’t talk to u just to be nice but they still choose to , among many other things ,this was something i had to learn the hard way and i hope u don’t have to….because its never them, its always your own expectation .

Take your time, choose people who stay even when they don’t have to.
Do we really need friends?
By: Rebecca B.
Tags: Friends

Do we really need friends?

Since a young age I have never had true friends, of course, I would talk to some girls in school and socialize on different family occasions, but I never had real friends like my brothers had, the ride or die type. I would always think that there is something wrong with me, like how is this even possible?! Anytime I would find someone that could be a potential freind, I would get very close to them and after time realize that we are such different people and it would brake me, again, and again, and again.

After a while, I gave up on trying to find good friends. I stared studying, reading; and to be honest, I learned so much I would never have been able to if I had friends around. It got me thinking that maybe people do not need friends, maybe there are different kinds of people and the kind to which I belong do not need friends and we are simply better off without them.
Soulmate
Tags: Friends, Highschool, Soulmate, Friendship, Heartbroken

What exactly is soulmate? Is it the person that is supposed to be with you all the time? Is it the person that is the first person that you think of every day? Is it the one that you wish you spend every second with?

I have a story to tell you about the so-called soulmate. It all started on the first day of high school. I was a new student so I was kinda alone and there was this one girl who approached me. Ever since then, my life has never been the same. From living a monochrome, dull life, it turns to a colorful and brighter than anything.

I never knew how much effect a presence of a person can be in my life. My family is not the most joyful family so I didn’t really understand what is the meaning of this thing called love. What it feels like to have someone care for you. But when she’s with me, I finally understand everything. I finally get the meaning of best friend.

2 years have passed and that’s where things go wrong. Well, not exactly wrong but yeah. I forgot to mention that she’s such a lively and friendly person. She’s literally the meaning of social butterfly. Back to our story, the class member has changed so there are a few new students from another class. So we became a group of 6. She’s slowly parting with me. It’s like she’s found her soulmate. It feels like she’s my soulmate, and then her soulmate is with the other person. Ever since then, it was never the same anymore. I felt like I was being robbed and the only thing that the robber left is a shredded piece of heart. I felt I was losing everything.

They became closer meanwhile me and my ‘soulmate’ slowly part our ways. We are still the same but the feeling is not there. There’s always a third person and I just feel like I’m not needed whenever they are together. Another 2 years have passed and I finally found my real soulmate. But it doesn't feel the same. The thing that I have with the girl was legit the meaning of best friend but it didn’t last long. That’s when I learn that nothing really lasts forever. It’s like no matter what happens, there’ll always be a special place in my heart for her. She can come and go away from and I’ll be grateful that she ever came. I never felt annoyed when I am with her. She’s like a gift from heaven for me. She is and will always be my yellow but I was her yellow.

Love, Daisy
A Letter to My Friends
By: Jun Kim
Tags: Friends, Happiness, Life Lessons, Covid 19, Life

#2020WRAPPED

Dear Friends,

What a year it has been. 2020 has strangely been a year of extremes without the middle. It feels like no days have passed since we went into the lockdown in March and somehow also feels like it has been years since we have been in quarantine. There is no middle. Even as I sit here and reflect on my year, I feel ambivalent about 2020. Frankly, I am still unsure whether I hated or loved it. I hated it, because we could not enjoy each other’s company as much and do the things that we love doing together, like clubbing, annual camping trip, or even just larger gatherings. I loved it, because we still found ways to connect, whether it was through a virtual game night over Zoom calls or small dinner parties that made us feel real fucking old. See? No middle.

But during the year of uncertainties and oxymorons, I learned one lesson that I feel certain and happy about: I am grateful to have each and every one of you as a friend in my life. Hence why I wanted to write this letter to share what else I learned this year that made me happy, so we can all end this confusing year on a definitively happier note.

No Comparisons

My entire life, I found my own social and personal worth in life by comparing myself to other people. My accomplishments only felt greater in comparison to others, the same way they felt like nothing in comparison to others. I learned to celebrate my victories for what they are and it made me much happier.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

I try my best to hide it, but y’all know that I am an anxious person. I always felt somewhat ashamed about it and found ways to be dismissive of my anxiety by making silly self-deprecating jokes about it. Unfortunately, with 2020 being a rough year for everyone including myself, things got pretty bad to the point where I had to seek therapy again to feel better. Fortunately, I became happier by learning that it’s okay to not be okay.

Real Friends

As juvenile as it sounds, I always struggled with who is my real friend and who isn’t. The two lists often traded names any time someone wronged me or did right by me. Like the time when Francis took a stranger’s side in an argument I was in one day and shoved an angry Uber driver who was marching towards me the very next day. This year, I learned that we are all imperfect. And there will be times when I will ride or die for you and also times when I won’t even show up because I got work the next day, but it makes me happy knowing that we are all real friends.

Conclusion

There is not like a grand conclusion to this letter. I just want YOU that read this all the way through to be happy. And if you didn’t, you are not a real friend and I hope you die. Just kidding. I want all of us to be happy. I truly wish the best for each and every one of you. If you have anything to share back with me, we should connect. Otherwise, here’s to another happy year 🥂.
Holidays
By: Ponderings Of A Mermaid
Tags: New Year, Friends, Thankful, Holidays, Community

I am not one for the holidays, but this year has been a bit different. I have been quite happy this holiday season. I’m not sure if it’s because I chose not to be depressed, or if it’s because everyone around me has had a rough year and I want to make the holidays special and enjoyable for them. I even bought myself a Christmas outfit to just have fun and make everyone smile. But as the holidays come to a close, I’m glad they are almost over, but I’m also glad for the fun that was had in them. All the parties that we got to go to and just enjoy time with friends. All the smiles that were had all around the room. It was/is a time with the people that mean the most to me. We all got to come together and enjoy being close and not letting the stress of the world get in our way. Thanksgiving brought us all being thankful for the friendships that were strengthened during this Pandemic year. Christmas brought us together filling our hearts and our lives with the smiles of finding community and safe spaces to celebrate in. Now as the New Year comes to a close, we can reflect on all the good that has happened in the past year. Yes, it has been a stressful year, but there have many joys too! I found some new friends and strengthened ones I already had. I found a job that I enjoy. The community I had this year of 2020 has grown and become one that I won’t soon forget. I’m thankful for the lessons of 2020 and look forward to the lessons and experiences of 2021. Here’s to making 2021 a year for the books!
Midnight Musings — When did I grow up?
By: Surbhi Bhattar
Tags: Friends, Growing Up, School Days, College Days, Engineering

Photo by Chema Photo on Unsplash

I met with some of my old school friends today. It was nice talking to them, jogging down the memory lane, laughing on past incidents, reminiscing the school and college days that were carefree and joyous. Now it seems almost unbelievable of how fast it all got over. It seems like yesterday only that I was a scrawny teenager with a bag full of books, a laptop, a mini drafter, paper holder, tiffin box, some loose change, and with umpteen aspirations that I stepped into my college. What seemed so ardent at that time, the 4 years of engineering with innumerous exams, tests, vivas, practicals, quizzes, extra curricular activities, gossips, frienships, first crush, love, heartbreaks, internships, first job interview, now seems like it all went by like a flash.

Cut to the present where now we are in a different time of our life, talking about plans for the future, moving up in the career ladder, investing money in the market, buying a house, a car, starting a family with their spouse. It all seems so incredible. Time teaches you to grow.
Christmas Eve
By: Richard Eaton
Tags: Photos, Project365, Friends, Photography, Christmas

Photo of the day 359/366

A lovely evening spent at a friends house where a group of us were lucky enough to have 2 Vietnamese chefs cooking amazing local dishes for us 👍

#project365
Who was Real
Tags: Friends, Love, Friendship Stories, Love Letters, Friendship

“IN THE CITY OF SECRETS

AMONG THE TRADERS OF TRUTH

THERE WAS A TRADER OF LIE

AND I TRUST THAT LIAR MORE

MORE THAN THESE TRUTH SELLERS”

When I was young, I read a book saying never trust anyone not even you shadow because even it leaves you in darkness. In those day of joy and happiness I didn’t took it seriously and if you would have been at my place that time even you would have rejected that because in those days of life we were surrounded with a lot of people u called friends or to be honest that was the purest form of friendship.

Later with the rotating wheel of life I encountered a lot of scenarios where I felt broken or my trust was tattered by some other person. Among all this artifice there is one which hurts the most, one from your close ones from whom you can’t even imagine, whose betrayal is more like a nail in your heart, that hurts to a different level.

Isn’t this crazy how people change with just a glimpse of second. And then blame you for every minute they suffered as if that was your fault, bad things and misfortune started when you joined their journey of life. Was it actually you? Maybe or maybe not, but it was not solely you, no one can clap with one hand, I guess.

I have seen a lot of posts which say don’t beg someone to stay the real one will never leave. Now the question is who is real, I never got the chance to meet this REAL. Or did I lost them thinking that they were not the real. Or we lost them listening to others.

We always run finding the real one what if we work on the current one and make him the real one or the forever one. Sometime the real one is in front of you but you don’t want to accept it as you are still afraid of past. Friendship is not about making yourself understood to others it’s also about understanding others, what they feel which pain they are suffering. The day both of you will understand each other there will none to destroy that friendship. You only have to believe on yourself and your friend to make that real friendship reborn.
Christmas Blues? This One’s For You
By: Daniel P. Donovan
Tags: Friends, Parenting, Family, Christmas, Mental Health

Christmas Blues? This One’s For You

Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

It’s funny.

Yesterday, I wrote about working less and spending more quality time with the people you love.

I then proceeded to work my ass off all day long.

I didn’t intend to, either.

But a fire appeared that I had to put out — and it meant digging into my work a little deeper than I expected.

It really pissed me off, too.

But here’s the thing…

I know myself pretty well. And I also know that I can get pretty salty when things don’t go the way I want them to.

I have no problem admitting that, but I also know it’s a problem I have to work on.

I overreacted to people I care about.

I was short and withdrawn with the people in my home.

And for a moment there, I was venomous and downright nasty. Enough to get me put on the other side of the list, if you know what I’m sayin’ ;)

Anyway, the reason I’m telling you this is simple.

If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed over the holidays…

Or if you start to get frustrated, agitated, or annoyed…

Or if you start to feel your blood boiling, even a little bit…

Take a deep breath, release it slowly, and repeat these words:

I am more than my emotions. I am love and I am light. I am allowing these feelings to pass. I am better off because of it.

Then, when you’re done, go rejoin the people you love.

Make them laugh. Make them smile. Make them feel your calm and peaceful presence.

Because at the end of the day…

No matter where your feelings take you…

Everything that matters is all right there.

So shake it off, let it go, and then go forth and make the most of it.
50+ Elegant Funny Christmas Wishes and Messages For Friends & Siblings
By: Send Wish Online
Tags: Wishes, Friends, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas, Messaging

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a special time of the year that brings all the loved ones together. No wonder our phone doesn’t stop ringing with wishes. Share the spirit of Christmas by sending your friends and siblings a funny Christmas wishes because everyone else is doing the dramatic ones! To help you create the funniest Christmas greeting for friends and siblings, Send Wish Online is here with a long list of unique and funny Christmas wishes! Read on and pick a free yet hilarious Christmas greeting!

These are some of the funniest Christmas wishes to make your loved one smile. Without Christmas wishes, the fun of Christmas is incomplete. So, don’t waste your chance to bring a smile to your loved one’s faces by wishing them with some witty Christmas humor of yours.

Originally published at https://sendwishonline.com
Christmas Wishes From a Poet
By: Sujani Hansanali
Tags: Friends, Poetry, Christmas, Médium, Medium Friendship

The house is filled with the sweet smell of the cookies

She decorates her Christmas tree with vibrant colors

It really looks wonderful

I hope, Amy from Canada will send me a lovely wish

Wish you Merry Christmas, pretty Amy