the aftermath of intense experiences can leave one physically drained yet mentally invigorated. as the immediate rush subsided, a profound sense of calm and tenderness emerged, intermingling with the lingering echoes of passion.
in the quiet stillness that followed, a deep exhaustion set in, a welcome respite from vigorous exertion.
unveiling a personal narrative
this space fosters judgment-free exploration. in this spirit, gabriel shared his life story, a narrative beginning in his youth with a singular desire: to gain his father's approval.
this aspiration, however, led him down an unexpected path, one that involved a symbolic pact and a commitment to a spiritual life. although our relationship was not particularly close, in my cultural upbringing, it was customary for young boys to mirror their fathers' actions and aspirations.
seeking validation and confronting societal norms
he embodied all the qualities i admired.
he exuded confidence, strength, and a commanding presence, earning the respect of others. in contrast, i felt I lacked these attributes. the one undeniable truth about myself was my sexual orientation. like many parents, my father eventually learned of my identity. within the confines of my mexican heritage, my family's traditions, and the expectations of my village, being gay was not an acceptable reality.
navigating a complex heritage
i had no alternative path.
the lifestyle of the cartel was all i knew; it was my life. i was the son of a cartel officer. consequently, i found myself ostracized by my family and my community. to this day, i grapple with understanding the mindset of my people - a mentality that would celebrate violence against another man while condemning affection between two men.
enlightenment through adversity
faced with such circumstances, only one path seemed available.
in contrast to the abstract lessons found in religious texts and folklore, this experience provided a tangible enlightenment. it illuminated the inherent resilience and fortitude of the human spirit. i gained a new perspective, one that allowed me to comprehend, in a way previously unimaginable, the lengths to which an individual will go to earn acceptance from another.
the universal desire for belonging
a fundamental human need is the desire to belong.
it's a poignant tragedy, readily apparent in the lives of others, yet often elusive when examining our own experiences. you have always possessed a unique essence. there is no other individual on this planet who mirrors your exact combination of qualities, abilities, and unique way of expressing them.
embrace this distinctiveness with pride. acknowledge and value the singularity that resides within yourself and within everyone you encounter.
a glimpse into anime and manga preferences
for those interested in further discussion, please feel free to email info@ambushpublishing.
my years of anime consumption have led to a vast, though sometimes hazy, recollection of the series i've enjoyed. however, i can confidently recognize many titles if presented with them. i'm currently engrossed in the second season of 'tokyo ghoul' and plan to delve into the 'ghost in a shell' series soon.
diverse tastes in storytelling
i also recall a series featuring a penguin embarking on a work-related journey.
arguably, 'gintama' stands out as a personal favorite, and it's wonderful that it's making a comeback! here are a few other titles that have resonated with me, presented without any specific order:
- 'gintama'
- 'tokyo ghoul'
- 'ghost in a shell'
while i don't actively watch anime as a primary medium, i was once an avid manga reader.
i've put my favorite series, 'skip beat!!', on hold for the time being. 'akame ga kill' also provided considerable enjoyment. i recently finished watching and thoroughly enjoyed a few other shows, having also purchased and read the 'deadman wonderland' manga, including the supplementary 'another deadman wonderland' issue.
i'm curious about the manga and its sequel, 're', and whether they offer similar insights.
exploring new series and dub preferences
i'm currently following 'attack no. 1'.
i'm eager to watch other highly recommended shows like 'one punch man' (which i've heard is excellent), 'puella magi madoka magica', or 'serial experiment lain' (both reportedly ideal for fans of genre deconstructions and psychological themes). however, i'm unsure where i can access these with either a german or english dub.
i generally prefer not to rely on subtitles, as i find it allows for a more passive viewing experience, enabling me to appreciate subtle nuances in the animation and dialogue without the distraction of reading.
community discussions and shared interests
begin a new topic of conversation.
here are some recommended posts. amatista posted on june 12th. posted on june 12th. genre: manga, focusing on shoujo and yaoi.
link to comment. share on other sites. more sharing options. ExE posted on june 12th. icelime posted on september 19th. posted on september 19th.
'soul eater' has always been a personal favorite; i appreciate kid's obsessive-compulsive tendencies. uranepu posted on september 28th. posted on september 28th.
'hibike euphonium 2' is on the horizon, and i'm incredibly excited! i've also been immersing myself in manga recently, including 'octave', a mature yuri manga that is not graphic, and 'hayate x blade', which i had started reading some time ago, then set aside, only to rediscover it recently.
icelime posted on september 30th.
posted on september 30th. i've begun reading a webnovel titled 'bastard..'. i highly recommend giving it a try. hikarubg posted on september 30th.