Lisa Philips is an Alchemy shop owner in the Underdark. Life is already pretty hard, but when her crush returns from war and broken up with his fiance, things get far more complicated. Is this her chance at her fairytale ending? #urbanfantasy #romance a.co/d/8YS73dK

I’ve been thinking long and hard about what to say since I learned about Charlie Kirk. I prayed for him when I found out she was attacked and I prayed when I found out he passed. I’ve never felt this way about someone not in my personal life before and I’m happy I’m not alone. I feel for his family and all those who personally knew him. I’m not Christian. I’m Muslim and I proudly say so. And while that’s not the only difference I had with him or disagreed with, I still feel like he was a brother to me. In this time, I’m seeing all the darkness of this world and it’s making me shift my alliances. I’ll never give up my faith, but I feel now is the time to reach out more than ever. The common thing I’ve seen on here is that people are saying they are going to be more “radicalized” now. And I will be one of them. I will be stronger and less apologetic about being a man of God. I will do more in my community. I will reach out to the other side of the aisle like Charlie did. We are all Charlie Kirk now #WeAreCharlieKirk

Love Isn’t the Foundation — It’s the Outcome open.substack.com/pub/ijclog…

Being smart and being wise are very different things, and one is not as good as you think. open.substack.com/pub/ijclog… #whattoread #article #Substack

I am listening to an audiobook about John Stuart Mill, and I have to say I really like him. I disagree with most of what he believed, but his thought process and how he got to his arguments, I love it. And you can't blame him for being wrong, in my opinion, he lived many years ago and didn't have the data to pull from. But I may have found my favorite person that I disagree with.

Evidence Doesn’t Take Sides. You Do. open.substack.com/pub/ijclog…

I've been thinking and I want to get more into article writing. So If I've said something that you agree or disagree with, consider following me on Substack. I'll be tackling a bunch of different issues and writing there. Subscribe to me on Substack substack.com/@ijclogic?utm_s…

If you only research one side, you're not doing research. You're doing propaganda. This will be a long-form comment so if you want to scroll after this, I understand. For the rest of you. Strap in. It’s becoming more and more apparent that people only research one side. And for my fellow conservatives and people who lean right — you’re not exempt. Too many times we only look for evidence that supports our views without also looking at things that might disprove us. We’re no longer honest about what we’re really doing. And to my fellow patriots who say (as I do), “Journalism is dead” — it’s hard to hear you over all the hypocrisy. We know the mainstream media lies. We also know influencers and independent media lie. And we know people get things wrong — to err is human, after all. But when you're “doing research” just to post something or “own” people online… stop and ask yourself: Are you doing research or spreading propaganda? Let’s take me, for example. Too many people point fingers and don’t realize they’ve got more pointing back at themselves. (Except my military vets — we learn real quick to use the knife-hand. But I digress.) Before I was Muslim, I was atheist. Before that, Christian. And back in those days, I said a lot of the same things people still say today — because Islam is still demonized in the West. It wasn’t until I met real Muslims and asked questions that I started to see the error in all that. And before you say, “Well I went on this website and it said Muslims believe X…” Did you go to an Islamic site? No? You went to a Christian site that told you what Islam says? That’s dumb. If you really want to know something, go to verified sources. Speaking of sources — always check where the data came from. One of my good friends (who means well) is notorious for this. He’ll send me a link and when I dig into it, I find out the “study” asked 10 people at a mall if birds are real… and they all said no. So suddenly there’s a “study” saying birds aren’t real? That’s a made-up example, obviously, but I hope you get the point. If you really want to be honest — and grow as a debater, thinker, or just a better person — check your sources. Be open to being wrong. There’s nothing wrong with being wrong. But there’s definitely something wrong with seeing the truth and ignoring it because of “vibes.” I know this will fall on deaf ears. But maybe someone will read this and take a moment to self-reflect. Even if you think I’m wrong — I’m willing to listen. Bring your sources. I’ll hear you out. But if we’re not trying to make the world better, then we can’t rightfully complain about the view. #ThinkForYourself #DoYourResearch #MediaBias #ConservativeVoices #SelfReflection #TruthMatters for the following people, @'ing you because I respect you, not calling you out. @gforemanBCP @ZeekArkham @decoyposts

Funny how people like to say English is the best language and so easy. But it has both “why” and “for what,” but languages like Swahili (“kwanini”) and Chinese (“为什么”) just use one phrase for both. I don’t know, English looking dumber and dumber by the day

I just published Drekenvold: Fantasy Reimagined. “Tired of elves with British accents and orcs as muscle-bound brutes? In Drekenvold, elves speak Swahili and magic is public school curriculum.” ✨ Read the full world intro: medium.com/p/drekenvold-fant… #UrbanFantasy #Worldbuilding #amwriting #whattoread

Have I joined the team? Hello all, forgive me for using this format on X, but it's my social, I do what I want. I'm fully aware that no matter what I say, it could be sent to the void, but doing it in this format drastically increases the chances that anyone reads this, which I am okay with. I would love to spark a discussion, though, so fingers crossed. I saw a video on IG where a white woman said a bunch of racially charged things about if there ever was a race war. While I do not defend her words, there are truth in her words and I know that. The person who stitched her video said, "Black people never talk about a race war," and proceeds to try to say that most people just want to be left alone, and I agree with that, as I'm one of those people. But... This is where I forgot "my place" I commented saying that I loved his videos, but there are black people indeed asking for a Race War. Now, while I could have worded it better, my goal was to say that there is racial hate on both sides. Tell me why, and you can probably already guess, that I was attacked and told that "You're Black" and that no matter who I identify, which is as an American by the way, I will always be black. I proceeded to tell them that I'm not keen on being claimed by a group that has told me most of my life that they don't want me, and most people that I do talk to just see me as American. It hurts to know that for a lot of people, not much has changed since I was that little boy in middle school being told I'm not black because I "act white," by which they meant I got good grades and had good manners. Also, the whole "talking white" thing. So am I a part of the "Uncle Toms" now? Is this where I've landed? eh, what the hell, may as well tag @gforemanBCP

Divine Tension pt 2 "Sergio, looks like you've made a fan." Igor chuckles. I turn just in time to see the priestess shooting daggers in my direction—but I don't care. If her friend had any manners, I wouldn't have to renovate the diner with his ass. I reach for the last of my burger and ignore the jokes of my so-called friends. "Sergio always had a way with the ladies," one teases. "We're calling his hands 'ladies' now?" another chimes in. They all share a laugh. I want to join in, but something holds me back. It’s not guilt, because I'd toss that scrawny Orc through another table if it weren't for the risk of getting banned from my favorite diner. No—it's that subtle magic the priestess hit me with, a shared emotion that lingers and makes my insides tighten. But that can't be it alone. If she weren't so classy, I'd expect her to flip me off by now, so I know I'm not fully caught in her spell. Then what is this lingering pull? "Enough," I announce, trying to shake off the strange sensation. "I've got enough rage here to fling someone through a wall. Any takers?" The banter softens, and the laughter dies down a notch. "Come on, Sergio," one of them calls. "Let's see if we can wrap up another quest before it gets too late. I hear some monsters need clearing by the hot springs." I nod, leaving a tip—larger than usual—on the table, and head out with the party. Two things I know for certain tonight: Goblins love hot springs. And that priestess? She definitely hates my guts #DivineTension

Divine Tension pt 1 Yan claws at his throat, nails digging into the thick hand of the massive Demon choking the life out of him. His legs thrash. Guttural gurgles bubble up as his olive skin shifts to a sickly green. “The next time a lady asks for your seat, you offer it. Do you hear me?” the Demon growls, his accent curling around the words like smoke. He doesn't loosen his grip—not enough for Yan to nod, let alone answer. I rise and place my hand on his arm. His deep blue eyes storm across my skin, but I stay grounded, letting divine energy flow through my fingers. “You’ve made your point,” I say calmly. “Release him.” The Demon exhales through his nose. Yan gasps as air finally rushes back into his lungs—only to be flipped midair and slammed through a table. Food, drink, and terrified patrons scatter. The tavern owner yells in the Demon’s tongue. The Demon waves him off, already reaching for his wallet. “You are most kind, sir,” I mutter, crouching to heal Yan and drag him clear. “Teach your friend some manners,” the Demon says. “Next time, this won’t be necessary.” I meet his gaze. “Manners can be taught... but character is another matter.” #shorts #whattoread #urbanfantasy #romance #DivineTension #miniseries

When I get online, I see a lot of hate toward Muslims. But in real life? It’s a different story entirely. I wear my faith openly—thobe, kufi, modest clothing. When I’m out, people are curious, respectful, even eager to connect. “How do I greet you properly?” “Did I say ‘As-salamu alaykum’ right?” Once, a woman told me she almost didn’t open her door because of my kufi. But she remembered her appointment and let me in. Then she asked: “Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” I told her: “That’s the point. I want people to approach me so we can talk.” We ended up having one of the most honest conversations she’d had with a Muslim. She left thankful—not offended, not fearful. Just… more informed. But here’s the thing: Online, that same woman might have scrolled past a post and assumed the worst. Why is the internet so much angrier than real life? Is it algorithms? Anonymity? Or do we just forget to talk to each other? I’m genuinely curious—what do y’all think?