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Tampa

2009.09.19 06:19 mikewoodld Tampa

Welcome to Tampa, FL on reddit; beaches and pirates, cigars and chickens, we welcome one and all.

2024.06.01 03:08 Jenson-ecigs How are Vape Kits and E-cigarettes Different?

Welcome, vaping enthusiasts! Have you ever found yourself pondering the differences between vape kits and e-cigarettes? Both are staples in the world of vaping, but they cater to distinct needs and preferences within the vaping community. Whether you're a newcomer trying to make an informed purchase or a seasoned vaper looking to deepen your knowledge, understanding these differences can significantly enhance your vaping journey.
Let's dive into a detailed exploration of vape kits and e-cigarettes, designed to clear up any confusion and help you make the best choice for your vaping lifestyle.

What are Vape Kits?

Vape kits, commonly referred to as "mod kits," are complete systems that consist of all the necessary elements for a personalized vaping experience. These kits usually contain a mod, which serves as the device's primary body for powering, a tank for containing the e-liquid, coils to heat the liquid, and a range of customizable features enabling you to modify wattage, temperature, and other aspects according to your vaping style.

What are E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are typically sleek, compact devices designed to mimic the traditional smoking experience in a digital format. Often referred to as "cig-a-likes," these devices are usually straightforward in design, featuring a battery and a cartridge (or "pod") that contains the e-liquid and a built-in coil.

Key Differences in Components

The most notable difference between vape kits and e-cigarettes is in their components. Vape kits are characterized by their modularity and versatility, offering various interchangeable parts such as tanks, coils, and batteries. On the other hand, e-cigarettes often have fewer components and feature a more integrated design, which can limit customization but enhance simplicity.

Performance: Vape Kits vs. E-cigarettes

In terms of performance, vape kits generally provide a more robust and intense vaping experience. They can produce more giant vapor clouds and more pronounced flavors, catering to those who enjoy cloud chasing or flavor experimentation. E-cigarettes, however, are often designed for convenience and portability, focusing on delivering a consistent, moderate vapor output that closely replicates the act of smoking.

Customization Opportunities

Customization is a significant draw for many vapers. Vape kits allow users to swap out almost every part of the device - from the tank style to the coil type and even the software that controls the device's operations. E-cigarettes, in contrast, offer minimal customization, typically restricted to flavor choices and, in some cases, nicotine strength.

Ease of Use

E-cigarettes might be more appealing for those new to vaping or looking for a straightforward experience. Their ease of use is a big selling point: just charge the device, replace the pod when needed, and you’re ready to go. Vape kits require more knowledge to manage settings and component replacements effectively.

Battery Life and Maintenance

Battery life also plays a crucial role in choosing between a vape kit and an e-cigarette. Vape kits often have larger, more powerful batteries to support their enhanced capabilities, which means longer usage times but also a need for regular maintenance. E-cigarettes are generally less demanding, with smaller batteries that are easier to charge and maintain.

Price Comparison

Considering the price, e-cigarettes are usually less expensive upfront than vape kits. However, the longer-term cost may be higher due to the need for frequent cartridge or pod replacements. Vape kits can be a more significant initial investment, but their replaceable components can offer more cost efficiency over time.

Health and Safety Considerations

While both devices are popular alternatives to traditional smoking, users must consider health and safety. Proper maintenance and understanding of your device are crucial, especially with more complex systems like vape kits. E-cigarettes provide a more controlled dosage of nicotine, which can be beneficial for those trying to manage their intake.

Who Should Use Vape Kits?

Vape kits best suit those who enjoy tinkering and tailoring their vaping experience. If you value cloud production, flavor diversity, and technical customization, a vape kit might be your perfect choice.

Who Should Use E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are ideal for smokers transitioning to vaping who prefer a simple, straightforward device that mimics the feel and handling of a traditional cigarette. They are also excellent for vapers who prioritize portability and ease of use.

How to Choose the Right Option

Choosing between a vape kit and an e-cigarette depends on personal preference and vaping goals. Consider what aspects of vaping are most important to you—simplicity, customization, performance, or cost—and let those priorities guide your decision.

To Wrap It Up

Understanding the distinctions between vape kits and e-cigarettes is essential for any vaper looking to find their perfect match. By considering your needs, preferences, and the characteristics of each type of device, you can enhance your vaping experience and enjoy each puff to its fullest.

submitted by Jenson-ecigs to u/Jenson-ecigs [link] [comments]

2024.06.01 03:07 Jenson-ecigs How Do You Choose the Right Vape Kit or E-Cigarette?

Choosing the fitting vape kit or e-cigarette is crucial for consumers and the professionals who design and manufacture these devices. As someone involved in developing vaping products, understanding the nuances of battery chemistry, design considerations, and safety protocols can significantly enhance the quality and reliability of the products you create. This guide aims to navigate the complexities of choosing the fitting vape kit that aligns with consumer preferences and regulatory standards.
When entering the world of vape manufacturing, one must focus on what sells and what sustains and propels the technology forward. How do you balance consumer appeal with technical efficacy and safety? This guide will provide the insights needed to make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving vape industry.

Understanding Vape Batteries

What powers a vape kit is as important as the kit itself. Different battery types—lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, or newer polymer models—offer various benefits and challenges. The choice of battery impacts the device's life span, safety, and usability.

Design Considerations

How do you design a device that stands out? From sleek, pocket-friendly models to robust, feature-rich devices, the key is understanding the end user. Integrating user feedback into design processes is crucial for iterative development that responds to real-world use.

Safety Protocols

Ensuring vape device safety is achievable by implementing rigorous testing protocols, following international safety standards, and consistently monitoring product performance. Recall systems and safety alerts bolster consumer trust and product reliability in the vaping style.

Performance Features

A vape kit's performance is measured by its vapor quality, battery life, and control settings. Customizable features can cater to various preferences, enhancing user satisfaction and device functionality.

User Preferences

Understanding user preferences helps tailor products that meet specific needs. Aligning product attributes with user expectations is critical, whether for cloud size, throat hit, or flavor intensity.

Regulatory Compliance

Staying ahead of regulations ensures your products remain on the market without legal complications. Keeping abreast of changes in legislation can help anticipate market shifts and adapt production strategies accordingly.

Innovation in Vape Technology

Exploring innovative technologies like temperature control and connectivity options with smartphones can set your products apart. These features improve the user experience and drive the industry forward.

Cost vs. Quality

Finding the right balance between cost and quality is vital. High-quality materials and advanced features might increase the price but can lead to better user satisfaction and lower long-term costs due to reduced warranty claims.

The Future of Vaping Devices

Looking ahead, the vaping industry continues to evolve. How will emerging technologies and changing consumer behaviors shape the future of vaping devices? Staying informed and agile is crucial.

To Wrap It Up

A profound grasp of market demands and technological capabilities is crucial for choosing the appropriate components and designs for vape kits. By prioritizing inventive solutions and safety measures, manufacturers can guarantee that their products enhance the vaping experience and remain durable.

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2024.05.31 15:22 irobotik Is Austrian Economics compatible with Citizens United?

Longtime lurker here. Pretty much the title, but would like to get some thoughts on this. Austrian economics as per Mises requires complete avoidance of governmental interference with the markets and of restrictions on the freedom of sellers and buyers to follow their own judgment regarding quantities, qualities and prices of products and services.
Problem 1: The corporate purpose is to maximize profits, which can often be improved by tariffs, subsidies, tax breaks, et cetera. At an extreme example, a corporation could benefit from regulations preventing disruptive competitors/products entering their market, such as with e-cigarettes and tobacco.
Problem 2: The Citizens United decision allows corporations to more or less directly put their hand on the scale to elect politicians that will represent their interests, which frequently are those in Problem 1 which run counter to Austrian theory.
So - it seems to me that the Austrian school would oppose Citizens United as it would naturally lead to increased transaction costs, biased markets, etc, as corporations leverage the government to maximize their profits individually. Would you agree or disagree and why?

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2024.05.30 11:07 genericusername1904 PERPETUAL ENMITY: EMOTIONALISM AND HYSTERIA AS THE POLITICAL CURRENCY, OR: THOUGHTS ON THE CHAOS AND RUIN BROUGHT ABOUT BY “GREEK STYLE MOB DEMOCRACY” OF A PEOPLES LED BY ENMITY AND FEAR INTO CHAOS AND RUIN BY INDIVIDUALS SEEKING SELF-ADVANCEMENT IN GOVERNMENT OFFICE

ID, VII. MAIORES. MERCURALIA. LIBERA. MAR INVIC.

Maintaining a state of perpetual enmity is not a thing which occurs by chance; we might today examine the various examples of those balanced “on the brink of disaster” who can be shown to have developed a quite sophisticated culture of which seemingly every institution rests upon an unresolved matter between one or more peoples so that resolution will not occur naturally until those institutions have been dismantled and that the enmity is driven by the interest or self-perpetuation of those institutions with the most proactive of their members continually seeking out new ways to deepen grievances with continual antagonism; to drag the people around them into crisis after crisis so the thing resembles very much Cassius Dio’s comment on the chaos and ruin brought about by Greek style mob democracy of a peoples led by enmity and fear into chaos and ruin by their Government which is hi-jacked by the worst amongst them through the mechanics of self-advancement to positions of comfort through political office; every career ‘politician’, as we have them today, is a demagogue in the classical and literal sense (that is: they proclaim to be friends of the people but are not, whilst also positing themselves as moral champions who ‘know better’ about XYZ than the people and seek to criminalize this or that or demand conformity to this or that), whilst every policy they seek to enact is typically driven through campaigns of fear-mongering and hysteria so as to tick the boxes for fallacious argument also.
Psychopaths with small armies of hysterics who lead the hysterics by terrorizing them and keeping them in a decades long culture of fear and enmity; always seeking out an external enemy but most importantly beating down with paranoia and persecution against the people around them, i.e. the own people, so as to maintain a sense of domestic unity; wrought in the manner, usually, of forcing verbal compliance with absurdism which seems to outside observers to be simply "low IQ gibberish" or a people who “know no better” but of which I have made the argument elsewhere is historically massively evidenced amongst we Europeans (beginning with Christianity) and of which behavioural science is merely a recent rationalization of those psychological mechanisms of “how and what exactly is occurring” in such scenarios when an absurdity is violently demanded to be professed in public as to demoralize the overwhelming majority, undermine the credibility of the professor and ensure that their power is dependent on the clique who tells them what absurd thing to profess their belief in.
Fundamentally this dynamic or relationship between psychopath and that element of the ‘public’ is unchanged since the early Christians and certainly is an old failing in the psyche moreso than it is ‘invented’ or ‘novel’ to persons or political platforms in contemporary times.
My own feeling on this is that such persons alive today who occupy and maintain their position in (especially the most dangerous arena of) Government office through hysteria and bad argument have always been with us; or will always be with us, only that the decisive factor in determining the outcome of “whether or not those persons destroy their society” is that in more rational societies, i.e. guarded against such things, that such people were living in the gutter and their hysteria or attempts at coercion through emotionalism were treated as comedy; as like the stock characters or the masks of the hysterical Women as being the Ancient Roman version of clowns throwing custard pies in their own faces – methodically foolish and absolutely not to be taken seriously. It follows, therefore, that prevention of the harm caused by such people requires the clinical immunization toward emotionalistic non-reason on the society-wide level, as the Romans accomplished via Popular Theatre.
Furthermore, I would say that Atellan Farce moreso than Caesar Augustus really made Rome strong; as: if we examine this from the point of determining the Popular Culture that shaped the mind which created the Roman People, that when Tiberius Caesar banned it “because he was offended” and exiled the actors that the social mechanism that had existed against bad persons seeking to advance themselves through political office and against bad character dispositions in ordinary persons also, i.e. the family, was suddenly dispersed for a long while and so where mockery and rational form existed once in the public sphere it no longer did, that is: the mechanism which guarded against the worst character had been removed. If we fathom this social mechanism as being the means of promulgating ‘true morality’ in the sense of highlighting the professed False Virtue of these sorts of persons we describe here, e.g. the hysteric or the criminal spouting banal clichés to deceive and lead credulous morons or the mentally unfit, then really the entire business of having a rational and sound people guarded against the most pernicious of sorts depends entirely on whether or not they are free to make fun of anybody and anything as when this is discouraged you find the emergence of irrationality which never would have dared show its face otherwise or never dreamed of self-advancement via political office.
I cannot understate the weight of this point as it relates to our contemporary (and much historically of the Christian West) of poor government policies produced by the occupation of government and NGO’s by the worst sorts of persons who have advanced themselves into that office and advanced, likewise, their poor policies singularly using the language of emotionalism and hysteria, and how this singular tactic would be laughed off in a more rational society so that such persons would never gain power and such foolish policies would never come into effect. It is true that “such people” and their madcap desires would always be around, likewise those more devious among them who merely ‘pretend’ to be emotional to avoid offering proofs and engaging in rational discussions of a thing, but the emotionalism of either would not convince anyone and the hysteria would be taken as comedic, as like a custard pie to the face.
Mask of the New Comedy, Gardens of Sallust (circa Augustus)
painting of stock character masks (so-called House of Menander), Pompeii
I cannot understate either the great difference in culture and political trajectory that is discernible from identifying Ancient Rome in its popular culture as having possessed a strong means of immunization against the self-same influences; verbatim in their expression, which utterly dominate the contemporary world leading from one chaos into another and compounding our ruin. I have often concluded that the entire business began with Christianity; that the tactic of the criminal or the beggar of pretending to be abused-for-no-reason (as like Paul claims of himself) was once recognized and widely ridiculed but then when it was not, as it was claimed to be offensive to speak frankly to such deluded persons, such persons came to dominate the people around them with the bloodiest and most feckless of governorship once they had seized those reins. A society or culture, then, unable to recognize such ‘types’ of people – chiefly the criminal who merely pretends emotionalism – has no means of ‘not’ being led by such types of people in whatsoever ideology or society they emerge in, as: the tactic is singular, linear and never changes:
My point here, as I have written elsewhere (see: Hierophants and Sycophants) is that this subject is far more important than we might otherwise consider, as: when we sift through the vast numbers of cases both contemporary and historically we find that the singular manner of argument of the types of persons who advocate ruinous policy consists in 100% of its form of that of emotionalism – or ‘emotion blackmail’. Emotionalism, be it genuine or merely an act put-on for a crowd, is employed to subvert and impede rational inquiry and deride serious discussion of whatsoever policy both the fool and the criminal wish to undertake – of which policy would easily be revealed to be counter-to-aims or unworkable or criminal or foolish within a few minutes of actual discussion. All the ruinous domestic and foreign policies of my own Europe or of the endless war propaganda from the American political parties have in their entirety hinged upon that singular and linear usage of emotionalism; chiefly atrocity propaganda, e.g. there were no public debates on the merits or objectives of waging war on Iraq, there was atrocity propaganda instead loudly and relentlessly touted by the press with no consequences when the propaganda was revealed to be the most basic and childlike of lies, likewise too there were no public debates on the merits or objectives of England decoupling from Europe, or of the economic and civic consequence of welcoming in wave after wave of foreign guest-workers (often from countries being bombed by ourselves no less), instead we had atrocity propaganda which silenced rational inquiry and so this ‘emotionalism’ easily demonstrated as being the political currency in virtually all cardinal and long-term impactful situations; not merely employed as the deciding factor but often the beginning and end of all discussion, that is: reasoned discussion itself, which would provide better solutions and avoid the ruinous policy, never occurs because it is forbidden by emotionalism.
Is it not strange that our society is moved in such ways entirely singularly - I mean that there is nothing else which moves it? Moreso is it not strange that our adult public discourse is dominated by a simple no-brain linear tactic that most of us have already mastered as small children?
The point of remedy for this could come from a number of approaches; certainly an education in logic and rational discussion (i.e. to train children to identify sophistry in rhetoric) would totally cure this from a single generation; to bring them up to a good standard of self-determination, certainly too public theatre (I mean television) which highlighted the foibles and fallacies of those bad character types would slowly inculcate a degree of rationality into the total population – although it would be hard work to avoid the misuse of that medium as a vehicle for later propaganda, but ultimately, I think, the matter boils down in any time or place to ‘government’ being at the liberty to set ruinous policy in the first place; i.e. government (comprised of civilians and unskilled persons) having the power in the first place to undertake actions and activities which are severe and which are done so with such ease. It is, for example, cheerfully declared by the two political parties of my country that tobacco is to be banned for sale to anybody born after a certain year; that a thirty year old Man or Woman in twenty years time will be committing a criminal offense, akin to Class A Drug Possession, to be found in possession of a cigarette – such policies in their implementation have been thought-through and voted on by nobody, with no concern for the predictable outcomes of this and no thought whatsoever on the part of the nominally elected heads of the two political parties that are ‘cheerfully’ doing a thing which will criminalize most of the population – especially and including the guest-workers.
Surely the matter, in terms of the prevention of such foolish policies; of which such foolish policies certainly are the bloody hands culpable for all War for instance, is that such ‘power’ itself should never be in the hands of such parties in the first place.
In the American domestic landscape it is the ‘threat’ of foolish policy, that is: the threat of one party or the other getting into office and doing terrible things to the country, which is the fuel for their embittered lunacy in the way that they go on at each other (something highlighted by General Washington as a thing to absolutely avoid at all costs, recognizing that this was why British policy and colonial administration was such a mess). In that manner, then, it can be shown that the culture of that constant threat; created by ‘power’ in the hands government, forces extreme politicisation onto a population which would otherwise have had no interest in … say … assassinating a head of state or marching through the streets chanting stupid slogans and waving a burning cross, seeking to conduct propaganda itself against the opposing party and so on. I am inclined to observe; though it is strange for us to think about this, that Hitler came from such an environment where the threat posed by ‘power’ in the hands of government, i.e. a culture of constant fear of ‘everything’ being subject to change every four years at the toss of an election, provoked one of the most ruinous political parties in European history promising to “solve the problems” – Hitler was elected and so was Tony Blair and Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, they campaigned passionately on the issues of the day – once in office they did nothing helpful and undertook extremely harmful actions against their own people (still on-going) and conducted unprecedented violence against foreign states (still on-going), as: once in office they had to be obeyed, as like a slow moving train with protocol and procedure preventing a thousand Men standing by the tracks from pulling a lever to stop it moving.
Today our lot look on witlessly at these things, believing that they are observing pure ideology or pure religion or even ethnic expression in such scenarios and so have no notion of the movements of such persons amongst the crowd; being unable to discern a con-artist from a legitimate Man or Woman with a legitimate grievance seeking legitimate solutions; not recognizing their uniforms, as it were, much less not discerning the military stratagem of the seemingly random patterns of criminal types in those movements, that is: not recognizing it as a giant warning sign the moment, even in casual conversation, an individual relies upon emotionalism rather than rational inquiry and worse if they dismiss rational inquiry as to the cause of a thing, as: this broadcasts that they have no interest in solutions.
At the time of writing perhaps the most egregious example of this “no interest in solutions” which relays from this dynamic of atrocity propaganda silencing rational inquiry in all instances where solutions might be discussed is that ghastly display occurring between Israel and Palestine which has gone on for almost a century and reached some kind of point of overflowing of such embittered inhuman animosity that the idea of “leave it alone, let them work out their problems – by the way here’s some more atrocity propaganda,” seems to me to have been the cardinal culprit in that such bloody outcomes are the predictable consequence of non-solution to legitimate grievances, coupled with political parties utilizing such things for their own personal self-advancement, having been held in place for so long – although Haiti and New Caledonia, almost never mentioned in the West, have been arguably far worse off and for far longer.
What is the point of political parties? On one hand they are invested with the ‘powers’ to radically destabilize life and impose sweeping criminalization upon their own citizenry; to declare a thing to be a crime suddenly with no public vote on the matter, to bomb civilians overseas at their leisure (becoming thereby the single greatest perpetrators of criminality), then: they have so much ‘power’ to put a harmful thing into motion but no ‘power’ to stop a harmful thing once it has been set into motion. This is a nonsensical reality which suggests, to me, to the nature of governance has not really been understood as a teachable science (indeed, objectively, it is not taught) and so when we observe politicians (such as the above named) we are observing the chaos of a highly complex and arguably the most highly influential apparatus of our society which has no safeguards in place to prevent spillage or accident, as it were.
It is staggering to sensibility that the ‘Minister of Defence’ for the United Kingdom, someone capable of instigating global thermonuclear holocaust or someone who would be expected to prevent it, is currently an unskilled civilian cinematographer and photography salesman with no background in the subject – and this at a point in time where the conscription of young people for the armed service has been cheerfully introduced and when a nuclear war with the Russian Federation is openly desired by many such members of governments across Europe and America.
In hindsight, i.e. looking back at us today later on, it is absolutely no mystery as to what occurred with us; i.e. who drove those policies, but to those of alive today I do not think that we fully appreciate the facts of the situation, that: our nations are undertaking the wretched and ruinous policies that they are and have been undertaking with the persons in charge of setting such things into law being utterly unqualified to hold their positions with their concerns extending no more so than maintaining their salaried position after the election cycle: in all it remains classical demagoguery of the worst types of characters, and it is revealing that the political currency remains emotionalism and that the political language remains the profession of being personally ‘offended’ whensoever rational inquiry is applied – this character type being familiar and always the same in its modus wheresoever we look to find the culprits of bad or criminal policy, as: really rather obviously one cannot logically and rationally discuss a thing and make that thing be about something it is not, but with a brief emotional outburst one can, always in very few words, declare any manner of absurdity to be so and to shame any response at the same time; it requires nothing at all for a lowly character to prostitute themselves in that matter, and it is my conclusion always that the overall culpability over bad policy stems in the first place from the people within a polity not possessing a vigorous enough intellectual culture to relegate such characters to the gutter where, as Emperor Julian and Lucian of Samosata observed of this lowly criminal mentality, they are content to deceive Women and very small children “never dreaming that they would one day (occupy high government office)”.
Valete.

ID, VII. MAIORES. MERCURALIA. LIBERA. MAR INVIC.

theatrical masks, so-called House of Menander, pompeii

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2024.05.29 12:45 Jenson-ecigs How Can You Start an E-Liquid Brand?

The e-cigarette sector has experienced impressive expansion, where vape e-liquids contribute significantly to the advancement and attraction of vaping devices. To enter this profitable market with your e-liquid label, you'll require creativity, technical expertise, and strategic foresight. This manual will guide you through the essential procedures for creating your brand, concentrating on the requirements of manufacturers and engineers developing the future vaping style.

Understanding the Market

Before diving into the e-liquid manufacturing process, it’s crucial to understand the current market dynamics. What are vapers looking for in e-liquids? What flavors and nicotine strengths are trending? How do regulatory changes affect what you can produce and sell? Researching these questions will provide a solid foundation for your product development.

Legal Considerations

Navigating the legal landscape is essential. Different countries and states have varied regulations regarding the production and sale of e-liquids. Understanding these laws will help you ensure compliance from the outset, avoiding costly fines and delays.

Developing Your E-Liquid Formula

Creating a unique e-liquid formula is both an art and a science. Consider what blends of flavors and nicotine levels will appeal to your target audience. Understanding the chemistry behind your product is also crucial, especially for ensuring compatibility with a wide range of vaping devices.

Sourcing Quality Ingredients

To guarantee the quality of your e-liquid, it is crucial to carefully select high-quality ingredients like nicotine, flavorings, and propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin from trusted suppliers. This ensures product safety and consistency.

Designing Your Product

Design considerations include the e-liquid itself and the packaging. How will your product stand out on shelves? Engineers and designers must collaborate to create user-friendly, tamper-evident bottles and align them with branding.

Branding and Marketing

Strong branding and effective marketing are crucial for your e-liquid brand to succeed. Develop a compelling brand story, an attractive logo, and marketing strategies that resonate with your target demographic.

Distribution Strategies

Decide whether you sell directly to consumers online, through vape shops, or both. Establishing effective distribution channels will ensure your products reach your customers efficiently.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for vape e-liquids must be meticulous to ensure consistency and quality. This includes appropriately mixing, steeping, and bottling your products in a clean environment.

Quality Control and Safety

Implement rigorous testing procedures to ensure every batch of e-liquid meets quality standards. Safety protocols are essential not only for consumer protection but also for regulatory compliance.

Launching Your Brand

The launch of your e-liquid brand should be impactful. Consider a launch event or influencer partnerships to create buzz and attract initial customers.

Growing Your Business

Once your brand is established, think about expansion. This could mean introducing new flavors, expanding distribution, or exploring international markets.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Collaborating with other brands can open up new opportunities. Whether it's co-developing products or cross-promotional efforts, partnerships can be highly beneficial.

Navigating Challenges

Be prepared to face challenges such as supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or shifts in consumer preferences. Staying flexible and adaptive is critical.

Future Trends in Vape E-Liquids

Observe emerging trends, such as organic or health-focused products, and adjust your offerings accordingly.

To Wrap It Up

Launching an e-liquid brand requires meticulous preparation and a profound comprehension of the product and the market. Emphasizing quality, innovation, and compliance enables you to create a thriving brand that delivers an exceptional vaping experience within the competitive vaping industry.

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2024.05.29 08:15 oddtomato7725 Parents and siblings are scientologists but they're super secretive about it. Is this normal?

Hi folks, all of my immediate family members are Scientologists (I was grown and out of the house by the time they joined the church so it missed me). One parent works for a WISE organization, which is something I learned about thanks to this subreddit. My siblings attended Clearwater Academy and take courses all the time. BUT: they say very little about it to me, even though it seems like a massive part of their lives. I honestly am just now putting all the pieces together from little snatches of info that they have mentioned offhand over the past ~15 years.
Because of this lack of transparency, I'm here asking all of you some questions that I hope can help me better understand the Church and my family. I'd be so grateful for any clarity people can provide.

Is this level of secrecy typical when Church members are dealing with non-Church members? I don't think they ever worked within the Church or attained high OTs or whatever, but then again they may have kept that a secret too.
Every religion has extreme beliefs that a lot of rank and file members privately don't share. E.g. the high proportion of Catholics who are pro-choice. But Scientology is always presented as a cult that gives you little room in which to have your own thoughts. Is that closer to real experiences people have, or is it possible to be sort of half-in, half-out? How likely is it that someone could be engaged in Church stuff for mostly social reasons?
Is mentioning the possibility that someone could benefit from psychotherapy, or from talking to a trained mental health professional, enough to offend a practicing Scientologist such that they don't want to talk to you anymore? I'm learning that lesson the hard way if so...
How important is money to one's ability to participate in Church stuff? My understanding is that everything in the Church costs money, but my family's financial circumstances have taken a very bad turn in recent years (thanks to untreated mental illness), so I don't see them being able to fork over much cash at this time.

Thank you again for any help you can give me in trying to figure all this out.

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2024.05.29 02:40 ItsCuzImmaTURK Is visible any good in st pete/clearwater/tampa?

Hey guys, i currently live in rochester ny, i have verizon, im tired if paying $120 for shit service, whenever i have 2 bars and 5g nothing actually works for me Im moving to clearwater, and im trying to cut the phone bill down a little, I know visible uses verizon towers, but if i can still get the same shit service for 1/3 cost i’d be willing to do so lol
Or are there any other recommendations on phone plans that arent $100 that work in clearwater area?

submitted by ItsCuzImmaTURK to NoContract [link] [comments]

2024.05.26 15:20 Rusted-1 ARK 8 Chapter 21-Cosmic Love

\"Cosmic Horror? Yeah, it's a tried and true form of writing, but what about Cosmic Love? An all-powerful, unknowable, and incomprehensible being that loves you for simply who you are; call me a sap, but I think it's a nice thought. It would make for a great book.\" - Unkown
Yes I am back once more! I'm definitely still shaking off the rust in story writing, but I'll get back into the swing of things soon. Hope you all enjoy the latest chapter!
This fanfic is based on the fanfic The Isolationists, by Seeyouon_otherside, and a continuation of the stronger_together series. Constructive criticism is appreciated.
Time Since First Contact: Y:0 M:1 W:0 D:0
Memory Transcript: Captain Leo, Human of the wanderer fleet.
I lay on the floor with Lemon to one side and Anax to the other, just listening to the radio as we all rested after working for more than two days straight without rest. The Tiwonds had sent up a lot of documentation about their planet.
“Ra-ra-Rasputin
Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone
Ra-ra-Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on…”
“Well, this sucks,” Lemon said as he moved a little and sat up.
“What? The song? I thought you loved this song?” Anax asked, confused.
“No, no, not the song, I love it. The fact that a planet has one of the kindest groups of people I have ever met, other than the humans, yet makes the human planet look tame in comparison with the horrors that lurk on it.” He said as he sighed
I sighed. “Yeah, I’m with you on that, buddy.” I kept staring at the ceiling fan and just watching it go around and around and around in my office as well. I just lay on the floor, surrounded by notepads, papers, and files on the different animals on the planet. Holo pads were streaming tons upon tons of data on the horrors that lay beneath us on that planet. “They’re such a nice group of people; I don’t want to leave.”
“We can just, you know, build a space station or inhabit a different planet?” Lemon spoke out loud.
“Honestly, I think at this point, our own people would tear us apart for something like that. Do you know what percentage of humans want to live on that planet just for the Tiwonds? 87.8 percent. That’s the people who want to live there for the Tiwonds. Over 90% of all humans want to live on that planet.” Anax sighed. “You guys are insane.”
I laughed lazily and turned my head over to a platter of somewhat stale cookies that Aurora had brought us yesterday as we were working. She’s so sweet. Don’t make fun of her kids, though, we’re going through medical supplies as fast as it is. I thought to myself as I reached over and grabbed one of the stale. What type of cookies is this? A sugar cookie? I bring it up and start eating it as Anax eats some jerky that Leejiaa had brought him. “Speaking of populations that want to stay, how many Zeyzell want to stay?” I asked.
Lemon lazily reached over and grabbed one of the many holo pads streaming data, picked it up, and pulled up the list with a quick few taps. “ 69%.”
“Hehe, nice,” I said to him. He just gave me an odd look. “Earth…no sorry human joke.” He nodded and continued.
“Much more than I originally thought, but considering how much snow there is, how it’s snowing almost 24 seven on that planet, it doesn't surprise me too much. Plus, we are always willing to follow you, humans, wherever you go. At this point, I swear some of us are attached to your back now.”
We all shared a tired laugh and then just continued to lay there, listening to the music that was playing. I reached for one of the many files Commander Feral had left us and flipped through it, letting my translator decipher all the unknown words. “ I mean, I love the people, and it’s some of the best food I’ve had in years. They’re very, very huggable. I mean, just look at Sixer. He has access to the fluffiest belly I’ve ever seen. However, their planet has shit like this.” I don’t exactly give the file to Lemon. I sort of just tossed it at him. He grunts with exertion from reaching over and having to drag it back to him using his incredibly tired arm, I don’t think we’ve slept in a few days. He then opens it and groans.
“I am with you on the boat. They are the kindest people I have ever met, but this animal literally steals your spine and leaves eggs in your brain in one single go if you are a quadruped. That’s not something I think I can live with being in my neighborhood. And that’s not even counting the other horrors that make this thing look like a good bedtime story. I mean, have you seen the photos of the deep ice? They’ve got crap in there that makes Cthulhu look like a plushie.” Lemon said as he rubbed his eyes.
“How in the world do you know about Cthulhu?” I asked, looking over at the exhausted Zeyzell, who had severe, unkempt fur.
“You guys have a lot of paper books in some of the big cases you keep in the cargo hold on this ARK ship. I go through them a lot because I find reading books like that very fun. Let’s just say you have some weird shit down there.” He shivered a little. “I am never touching that book called Room again.
We don’t precisely acknowledge him with a typical noise. We all groan as we acknowledge Lemon and what he just said.
“Is anyone else absolutely terrified of the animals down there?” Anax asked.
“Afraid, yes, terrified, no because I’ve seen so much already.” I then hear some odd noise from the clearwater pipes that run above my desk. Looking through the glass, I saw a very familiar shape swim through it. “Natare’s in the pipes again.” The other two groan.
The door to my office suddenly burst open, and in comes Alvaro. “Have you guys seen—?” I simply pointed to the pipe and then pointed to where it went. “Thanks. Aurora! He’s in pipe D-17!” Alvaro shut the door, and I heard his metal feet running down the hall. We continued to lay there and do absolutely nothing, as we were all exhausted from pouring through so many documents.
“Hey guys, have you noticed how odd it is that so many planets are almost to the exact specification of the Tiwonds and that most aren’t just lifeless rocks?” Lemon asked.
I laid on my back and just thought about that. He was right. A lot of planets here have a really high gravity for some reason. I could probably science it, but I’m too tired right now. “Yeah, you’re right. That is pretty weird. Also, the area around the Red Lighting Veil is super barren, like all the planets and celestial bodies are inside the veil or moved there. I mean we passed through some ridiculously empty pieces of space on our way here, but the second we entered the veil onto the other side, looking at its depth, we popped out the other side. Bam! Planets and beautiful celestial bodies are everywhere. If I didn’t know better, I would say this place is artificially manufactured, but that isn’t possible from what I know. They’ve been here for a while because it’s their home planet. Man, I'm tired.”
Anax sat up. “You know, that question is good enough to get me awake. Hang on.” My curiosity has been peeked. I sat up and watched Anax wander over to one of the computers and sat down. He began typing in commands to it and then watched the results, one of his eyes brows raised up, which attracted my curiosity even more. I then wandered over and sipped some cold coffee which helped to pick me up a little bit and look at what he was displaying on the computer. “Do you see this?” He asked as he pointed to the screen. I looked farther at the screen past his white fluffy Zeyzell paws And looked at what was before me.
“Empty Space?” I asked, confused.
“No, well yes, but actually no, look here, here and here.” he pointed to several points on the screen I looked at them, and that's what I saw it.
“Residual gravity? What is that?” I asked him.
“It's an old program I cooked up long ago, back in my academy years. It is designed to detect where gravity or large gravity bodies once were in detective remnants around them, like distortions in space and time, remaining radiation, that sort of thing. When we were passing through this massive Dead Zone, I left the program on because I was obviously curious, but I never really thought about it. However, right before we were ripped through that weird orange portal, or gateway, or whatever, and brought to the Veil, it had gathered a ton of data. Look at this.” He gestured to the entire screen. “The residual gravity is ancient. We're talking possibly thousands if not billions of years old, it should have dissipated by now, but it hasn't. For whatever reason, the residual gravity is still there, which shouldn't really be possible. If you take the residual gravity and calculate it to the amount of large gravitational bodies like those planetary systems inside the Veil, you get a near-perfect match. This means at some point most, if not all of the planets, all the stars, everything inside the veil now, where we are, was at one point outside of it.”
I blinked, dumbfounded. “But the Tiwonds don't have that kind of technology to move entire planetary systems. Hell, even I don't think the Federation does. I don't think you guys do either.” I told Anax.
“He's right, we don't. What are you getting at Anax?” Lemon asked, now that he had joined us from his lying on the floor.
Anax sat there momentarily, tapping his claw on the table as he thought deeply. He then leaned back in the chair and looked back at us. “From what I've been overhearing from some of the crew, for what I've been able to gather from the Tiwonds themselves, their history, their doctrines, their philosophy, their religion, massive energy Spike that happened when we entered the Red Lightning Veil, I mean we all felt that in our very bones, and something rather disturbing I overheard from Alvaro…I don't think we're alone in the Red Lightning Veil,” Anax finished.
“Anax, what in the world are you talking about?” I asked.
“Anax…I think you're on to something,” Lemon said. “Leo, remember that bizarre message we got when we first arrived at the Veil?” He asked.
“Yeah, kind of hard to forget…Wait a minute…” I started to connect the dots. There was no possible way the Tiwonds could project a message like that outside of the veil. The veil simply had too much interference for their technology, and even our tech couldn't penetrate it. We could see outside of it like a one-way mirror, but we couldn't send anything. “The Tiwonds didn't send that message, did they…” I asked Anax, “Can you bring up the message?”
He nodded and brought it up from the files. “I will keep you safe, I will give you a home. I will give you a family to lean on, as they shall lean on you too.”
“Yep, that's the message,” I said. Looking at it felt strange—like it was there, but it shouldn't be. Looking at it gave me a sense of hope and calm, yet there's something undeniably fundamentally strange about it—not in a bad way, just… an off way.
“On top of that, all the strange stuff we experienced getting here, the glitching coordinates that kept sending us this location, or in the general direction Red Lightning Veil, and other strange things… I think we might have been guided here somehow.” Lemon told us.
The entire room went silent as the reality hit us. Something or someone brought us here, and it was not the Tiwonds. This caused a pit to form in my stomach. We were Untold light years away from this place, and yet here we are now. this was a terrifying revelation, we all looked at each other and looked back at the screen and noticed another program had finished. “Anax, what's that?” I asked.
He turned back to the screen. “It's another program I was running. It's going to match the gravitational forces of the bodies here to the remnants out there, which, again, SHOULD NOT BE THEIR.” With an extreme emphasis on the should not be their part, he said. We looked at the numbers that popped up and the overall comparison and…
“83.2 Percent of accuracy, with a .2 percent margin of error,” Anax told us. I needed to sit down. I grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, letting my body fall into it as the shock of it rolled over me.
“83 percent accuracy…fuck…” That was all I could manage.
“Wait…Anax, can you bring up the planets and other celestial bodies inside the Veil?” Lemon asked.
He nodded his head and brought them up. That's what I noticed it, the planets, the stars, everything. “There…there too close together,” I said aloud.
Lemon nodded. “That's what I wanted to check out.” I looked at the planets, the suns, everything—it was just too perfect.
“Anax, can you bring up the gravity of all of…this?’ I asked.
He nodded his head and swished his tail in acknowledgment. That's when I saw it: the gravity fields and all the celestial bodies were too perfect.
“Beyond the Veil, Stuff like this should not be possible. The planets, moons, and stars are aligned so perfectly that they won't interfere with each other. However, they are close enough for the theoretical, or I guess not theoretical anymore, maximum amount of celestial bodies in one area to be packed this close together,” Anax said, the confusion and worry evident in his voice.
“There is just enough space between all of the planets for space travel of a large fleet of ships, like corridors, like it was built and didn't happen naturally.” Lemon quietly whispered like he was afraid that someone would hear him.
My Palms became clammy and sweaty as the full extent of this place hit me. “It's artificial. The entire Red Lightning Veil was artificially built.” We all sat there as we realized this: If the Tiwonds didn't build this place…then who did?
“Look at these meteor patterns and asteroids even though they're both the same thing,” Lemon told us. We all looked at them. As Lemon had taken over the computer, Anax's paws were shaking too much. “If you look at the patterns at which these asteroids hit the Tiwonds home planet… regularly, you get a pattern, and the meteors don't hit anywhere else… they only hit their home planet which are then safely extracted for their materials as they land ONLY in the oceans and snow deserts of their planet…By the light keeper, protect me.” Lemon said. Now, it was my turn to say something disturbing.
“What that means is that this place is not only artificially created; whatever created this place obviously did it for the Tiwonds and is either actively taking care of them or has put in place measures that will help take care of them to help continue their existence, as the Red Lightning Veil itself is a massive barrier.”
“And we are meant to satisfy the Tiwonds somehow,” Anax said; his entire body shook slightly. “I have overheard many Tiwonds had begun to worry that they were alone in the universe. I did a lot of digging… and you know when these questions reached their magnum opus?” He asked. Lemon and I looked at each other and shook our heads. Anax laid back in his chair. “A year before we arrived at the Red Lightning Veil, this cannot be a coincidence. Everything here, everything that has happened, is too perfect.” He returned to the computer and began typing commands into it.
Lemon and I look at each other. “Which can only mean…” Lemon began.
“...that whatever is taken care of the Tiwonds is active and is actively watching them and taking care of them as of this moment. And it is very close.” Anax finished
We all sat there in stunned silence. I really, really wish I could unhear all of this and live in ignorant bliss, but that could no longer happen.
“Cosmic horror whoop-dee fucking do,” Lemon said to no one in particular as he put his head in his paws.
“Do you think the Tiwonds know about this?” I asked.
“If they do, they most likely think it's normal,” Anax told us.
The stress in the room was like a tightly bound metal cable, one-That’s when there was a knock at the door. We all shot a foot up into the air as we looked at the door in fear. “Can I come in?” Oh, it was Leejiaa. We all breathed a sigh of relief.
“Of course, sweetie, you can come in,” Anax told her. The door opened, and we first saw her extremely swollen pregnant belly, and then her head appeared. She looked like a tick ready to pop.
“By the light keeper! Are you OK, sweetie?” She asked for the second her eyes landed on Anax.
“Yeah.” Was Anax‘s only response as his hands shook slightly.
“Have you been up this entire time since the meeting? Wait, when was the last time you got to sleep?” She asked, greatly concerned.
Anax blinked, then looked back at Leejiaa. “Yeah.” Anax looked at Lemon and me, and we all silently agreed not to tell anyone what we had found out, as it might cause mass panic.
“Oookkkkkaaayyy?” Leejiaa Replied, obviously not buying it. “Well, come on, it's your turn to make lunch. Let's go.”
“Is that the only reason you came to get me?” Anax replied to her, obviously joking with her.
“No, I've missed you. Come on, let's go,” Leejiaa told him rather bluntly. I couldn't help but smile as the couple hugged each other and walked out of the room. Anax held her organic hand, and Leejiaa's three mechanical arms swung by her side.
“I'm going to the bar to watch TV with friends. I need something else to think about other than this,” Lemon said as he turned to me. “You want to come with?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you, but I appreciate the offer. I need to think about this by myself for some time.” He nodded his head before getting up and walking to the door. Before he fully closed it, he looked at me and gave me a concerned look, then turned fully away and walked out. I turned back to the message I was displayed on the screen; the one that was sent to us, for all we knew now, was sent by some mighty entity. All I could do was sit there and digest what I had learned. I continued to stare at the message, and suddenly, old memories started growing in my mind—memories of my father. I had forgotten entirely or had trouble thinking of some of these memories, but suddenly, they were clear as day. I'd always been close to my father, so I closed my eyes and remembered them.
{Subject asleep}
I turned to Dad as he continued to smith the sword before him. His large tree trunk-like arms and elephant skin continued to go up and down as he hammered away at the sword, making it for some larper who wanted to go as Link to Comic-Con. The heat on my face was intense, the Sparks emanating from the metal Hammer hitting the metal sword with a loud clang each time, the large leather apron my dad wore against his bare chest, and his large graying bread. Our pet wolf Tobuscus stood next to his side as Snowshoe, our pet snow fox, continued to prance around my feet, demanding pets, completely unbothered by the heat that would send most of his species skittering for the cold embrace of the snow around us. “Dad?” I asked. I was afraid to ask this question, as I didn't know what his reaction would be when I asked him. he stopped hammering, and I saw Tobuscus look at me. Dad never turned around.
“Yes?” He asked plain and simply.
“Do…Do you love me?” I asked.
Surprised by the question, he dropped his hammer and turned around, eyes filled with worry. “Of course I do. Why would you think I wouldn't?” He asked
“I just…You spend so much time with all my other brothers and sisters, and… you don't seem to want to spend much time with me.”
He sighed as he knelt in front of me and then held me by the shoulders in a comforting way. “It's not that I don't want to spend time with you. It's just that I don't fully understand you. I don't know who you are… oh God, I'm messing this all up.” he shook his head and looked down, then looked back up. “Look, son, you have to know I love you. Is this that I don't fully understand your interest or what it is you truly like to do as they're always on those… computers, piloting a ship in space? I don't fully get that… you understand what I'm saying, right?” He asked me. “Oh, I'm so bad at this.”
“I think I understand,” I told him.
He sighed. “Thank you, but what I'm trying to say is that… I want to learn what you like so I can connect better. Does that make any more sense?” He asked.
I felt my spirits sore at that. “Yeah, come, I can show you how to make a spaceship in my game if you want.”
He let out a hearty laugh. “That would be wonderful.”
I turned around towards the house, the old farmhouse we had renovated into something slightly more modern but that still remained beautiful, like it had been plucked directly out of time.
“Oh, son, one last thing.” My dad called out.
I turned around and walked back to him, and he knelt once more, this time with a hammer in hand, as he gently placed it on the ground. The birds chirped around us as the cows in the distance mood. A few of our chickens were wanting around, walking right next to us, clucking as they went, their beaks making a soft thud as I looked for ticks and other insects on the ground. I looked up at my father and… his eyes, they weren't normal green, they were orange, a very deep Orange.
“I love all of my children.” When did my dad's voice become so deep and powerful? “No matter who you are, where you came from, or what you wish to be, I will love you all because I am your father, and my love is unconditional. I will do anything to protect all of you, no matter the cost. You are all mine now, and I am all of yours. For whatever horrors may leak from space to other alien Empires that may seek our destruction, I will do anything to protect all of you, my children. Please do not fear me. I only wish to help, hold, and comfort. I will remain out of your way as much as I can so you can all evolve beautifully and the place I have created for all of you. You are my son now. That means I love you like a father would.” My father gestured to the farmhouse; it's ordinarily white walls were now painted red, and that's when I noticed the small storm. It was very faint and far in the distance, but a storm encircled the entire area. And the lightning was red. Suddenly, his arms embraced me, and They wrapped around me in a tight hug.
“I love all of my children. You are no exception, and I'll take care of you now. You do not need to fear threats outside the Veil. Do not worry. I am here for all of you.”
The love emanating from him was so pure and potent that I began crying. As I began to cry, it hugged me tighter. “Hush now, the Federation can no longer hurt you. You are safe. Shhhh, Shhhh.”
Wait wha-?
Beep, beep, beep.
{Subject Awake}
“Hmmmmmm?” My eyes blinked open as I sat up and wiped tears from my eyes. I looked around and realized I had somehow ended up on my bed, on the other side of the room. I looked around, confused, but no one else was there except me. I looked over at the phone and saw that it was ringing. I stood up and walked over to the ringing pad. I looked at the caller-OH SHIT.
“Hello, great to hear from you, Commander Feral. This is Captain Leo.”
“Ah, captain. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Hm? Oh no, no…” I then realized I was feeling pleased, relaxed, and calm. I couldn't explain it, but I wondered if it was from that strange dream. “Is something the matter? If any of my people are petting your people too much and they are complaining-”
Commander Feral laughed at that. “No, no, if anything, they enjoy being petted by your human fingers. We should open massage parlors specifically for that. No, I'm here to talk about something much more distressing.”
“Oh? What is it?” If he was worried about something...
“Have you ever heard of a cult called Cult of the old god?”
First/Previous/Next

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2024.05.24 19:53 healthmedicinet Health Daily News May 23 2024

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DEHYDRATION IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS MAY LEAD TO ATTENTION CHALLENGES

Dehydration can lead to a wide array of mild to severe symptoms, from temporary inconveniences on mood to life-threatening concerns. Researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health studied how dehydration affects cognitive performance. They found that even mild dehydration can diminish a person’s ability to pay attention
5-23-2024

STUDY FURTHER ILLUMINATES ABILITY OF CANCER DRUG TO LOWER BLOOD SUGAR

University of Oklahoma researchers have deepened their understanding of a drug’s ability to prevent fat buildup in the liver, a condition that often occurs with obesity and can lead to serious fatty liver disease. Their findings—which illustrate the complexity of metabolic disorders—are published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The publication builds on a previous discovery made by Tiangang Li, Ph.D., and a team of researchers at OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center: A drug developed to suppress cancerous tumors can also improve insulin sensitivity and lower
5-23-2024

THE BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH—FOUR DISEASES LINKED TO YOUR ORAL MICROBIOME

Your mouth is one of the most diverse habitats in the human body. It contains over 700 known species of bacteria, as well as yeasts, viruses and some protozoa. This community is collectively referred to as the oral microbiome—and like your gut microbiome, the bacteria in your mouth play an important role in your health. Some of the most common diseases caused by changes to your oral microbiome are tooth decay and gum disease. But growing evidence suggests that the oral microbiome is also linked to many other serious health
5-23-2024

BIRD FLU IS HITTING AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FARMS—THE FIRST HUMAN CASE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN VICTORIA

The first human case of avian influenza (bird flu) in Australia was reported yesterday in Victoria. A child acquired the H5N1 strain of the virus in India and became ill upon returning home to Australia in March this year. Based on information made available yesterday on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), we can ascertain the child is a two-year-old girl. She tested positive in early March and was reportedly very unwell but has since fully recovered. According to the Victorian Department
5-23-2024

NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRION PROTEIN COULD GUIDE FUTURE NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE RESEARCH

Liquid-liquid phase separation of full-length PrP is promoted by the tryptophans in the octarepeat and not influenced by copper. A study from Bochum describes a mammal-specific domain of the prion protein and offers new approaches for research into neurodegenerative diseases. Prion diseases are progressive and invariably
5-23-2024

RESEARCHERS ADVOCATE FOR STRUCTURED FRAMEWORK TO STUDY THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE TRAINING IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS REHAB

A team of experts in multiple sclerosis (MS) research recommends a structured approach to the study of mechanisms of exercise training for improving outcomes for multiple sclerosis (MS). In a review article, “Focusing on neural mechanisms of exercise training benefits in multiple sclerosis,” , they emphasize the value of adopting an experimental medicine framework to optimize the development, evaluation, and application of exercise interventions in MS rehabilitation. MS is a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system
5-23-2024

CHILDREN FROM LESS AFFLUENT FAMILIES ARE LESS ACTIVE, HAVE POORER DIETS AND SUFFER FROM OBESITY, SAYS REPORT

A new report released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals alarming disparities in the health of young people across the region, with those from less affluent families disproportionately affected. Dr. Jo Inchley from the University of Glasgow’s MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit is the International Coordinator of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. The survey monitors the health behaviors and social environments of nearly 280,000 boys and girls aged 11, 13 and 15 years from 44 countries in Europe
5-23-2024

WHAT’S AT STAKE WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT CASE ON MISINFORMATION?

Concerns over medical misinformation are not new, but the COVID-19 pandemic magnified long-simmering tensions over two fundamental concepts: Freedom of speech and the federal government’s responsibility to protect people from what it considers false and dangerous claims. These are the core issues in a landmark case, Murthy v. Missouri, on which the Supreme Court of the United States is expected to issue a decision this summer. During the initial oral arguments, which took place in March, government physicians and public health officials sounded the alarm that the proliferation of false

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2024.05.24 10:19 Jenson-ecigs How Can You Start an E-Liquid Brand?

Understanding the Market

Legal Considerations

Developing Your E-Liquid Formula

Sourcing Quality Ingredients

Designing Your Product

Branding and Marketing

Distribution Strategies

Decide whether you sell directly to consumers online, through vape shops, or both. Establishing effective distribution channels will ensure your products reach your customers efficiently.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for vape e-liquids must be meticulous to ensure consistency and quality. This includes appropriately mixing, steeping, and bottling your products in a clean environment.

Quality Control and Safety

Implement rigorous testing procedures to ensure every batch of e-liquid meets quality standards. Safety protocols are essential not only for consumer protection but also for regulatory compliance.

Launching Your Brand

The launch of your e-liquid brand should be impactful. Consider a launch event or influencer partnerships to create buzz and attract initial customers.

Growing Your Business

Once your brand is established, think about expansion. This could mean introducing new flavors, expanding distribution, or exploring international markets.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Collaborating with other brands can open up new opportunities. Whether it's co-developing products or cross-promotional efforts, partnerships can be highly beneficial.

Navigating Challenges

Be prepared to face challenges such as supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or shifts in consumer preferences. Staying flexible and adaptive is critical.

Future Trends in Vape E-Liquids

Observe emerging trends, such as organic or health-focused products, and adjust your offerings accordingly.

To Wrap It Up

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2024.05.24 07:26 Sweet-Count2557 Best Hotels Clearwater Beach Families

Best Hotels Clearwater Beach Families Looking for the perfect family-friendly hotel in Clearwater Beach? Well, look no further! We've done the research and found the best hotels for families in the area. From luxurious resorts to cozy inns, we've got you covered.Our comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision, taking into account facilities, safety, cleanliness, room size, location, and value for money.So, get ready for an amazing family vacation in Clearwater Beach, where memories are waiting to be made!Key TakeawaysSandpearl Resort offers excellent family-friendly facilities, safety and security, cleanliness and hygiene, and convenient location.Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key provides spacious accommodations with separate living areas and on-site activities for kids.Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is a beachfront hotel with family-friendly amenities, but it may get crowded during peak seasons and has parking fees.Sheraton Sand Key Resort offers direct beach access, on-site pools and restaurants, and various room options.Sandpearl Resort: Family-Friendly FacilitiesWe highly recommend Sandpearl Resort for families due to its excellent family-friendly facilities. This resort is one of the best Clearwater Beach family resorts, offering a range of amenities that cater to families with children.One of the standout features is the kids club, where children can engage in supervised activities and make new friends. The beachfront pool is another highlight, providing a safe and enjoyable space for families to relax and play. The resort's commitment to safety and security is evident, ensuring that families can have peace of mind during their stay. With a focus on cleanliness and hygiene, the resort maintains high standards to ensure a healthy environment for families.The rooms at Sandpearl Resort are spacious and well-designed, providing comfortable accommodations for families. The resort's location and accessibility are also favorable, with easy access to the beach and nearby attractions. While the resort is priced at a higher range, the value for money is still considered good.In conclusion, Sandpearl Resort is an excellent choice for families seeking a memorable and safe vacation experience at Clearwater Beach.When considering spacious accommodations, the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key stands out.Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key: Spacious AccommodationsThe Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key offers spacious accommodations and is perfect for families looking for ample space during their stay. Located in Clearwater, Florida, this family-friendly resort is one of the top choices for families visiting the area.The resort features spacious suites with separate living areas, providing plenty of room for families to relax and unwind. With a focus on safety and security, the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach ensures that families can enjoy their vacation without any worries.The resort also offers a variety of amenities and activities for families, including a kids club, game room, and a designated children's section in the pool area. While the resort has limited dining options, there are two restaurants on-site, and more dining options are available just outside the resort.With its spacious accommodations and family-friendly amenities, the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key is a great choice for families looking for a comfortable and safe stay in Clearwater, Florida.Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa: Beachfront LocationOur family loves the beach, and a beachfront location is a must for us, so the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa would be a perfect choice. This hotel offers a beautiful beachfront location, providing easy access to the beach and stunning views of the ocean.In terms of family-friendly amenities, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa doesn't disappoint. They've supervised pools for kids, on-site restaurants that cater to children's tastes, and even a special club for kids to enjoy.While the hotel offers a fantastic beachfront location and great amenities, it's important to note that during peak seasons, the hotel may become crowded. Additionally, parking fees apply, which might be an extra expense to consider.When it comes to safety and security, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa receives a rating of 4 out of 5. This indicates that the hotel takes appropriate measures to ensure the safety of its guests.Overall, if you're looking for a family-friendly hotel with a beachfront location, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is a great option to consider. Its amenities and proximity to the beach make it an ideal choice for a memorable family vacation.Sheraton Sand Key Resort: Direct Beach AccessThere is direct beach access at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, so we can easily enjoy the beautiful sandy shores. This feature makes it a convenient choice for families looking to spend quality time by the beach.Here are four reasons why the direct beach access at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort is beneficial for a safe and enjoyable family vacation:Safety: With direct beach access, families can avoid the need to cross busy streets or navigate through unfamiliar areas to reach the beach. This ensures the safety of both adults and children.Convenience: The convenience of direct beach access means that families can easily access the beach whenever they please. This allows for flexible beach activities and ensures that families can make the most of their time at the resort.Supervision: With direct beach access, parents can easily supervise their children while they play on the beach. This adds an extra layer of safety and peace of mind for families, knowing that they can keep a close eye on their little ones.Easy Beach Amenities: Direct beach access means that families can easily bring their beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach essentials without worrying about carrying them for long distances. This makes it easier to set up and enjoy a day at the beach.Overall, the direct beach access at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort provides families with a safe and convenient way to enjoy the beach during their vacation.Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach: Close to the Airport and BeachWe can easily access the airport and beach from Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, making it a convenient choice for our family vacation. Located close to both the airport and the beach, this hotel offers easy transportation options, ensuring a stress-free and efficient arrival and departure. The proximity to the beach allows us to enjoy a day of sun, sand, and surf without having to travel far. The hotel's convenient location also means we can easily explore the nearby attractions and activities.In terms of safety, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach takes the well-being of its guests seriously. The hotel maintains a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene, ensuring a safe and comfortable stay. Additionally, the hotel has a large, supervised pool specifically designed for kids, providing a safe environment for them to have fun and cool off.Along with its convenient location and emphasis on safety, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach offers a variety of amenities to enhance our family vacation experience. The hotel features three on-site restaurants, providing us with a range of dining options to suit our preferences. We can also enjoy refreshing drinks at the bar, adding to the overall relaxation and enjoyment of our stay. Furthermore, Wi-Fi is included, allowing us to stay connected and share our vacation memories with loved ones.Overall, with its proximity to the airport and beach, commitment to safety, and array of amenities, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is an excellent choice for our family vacation.Now let's transition to the subsequent section about the kids-friendly amenities offered at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach.Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach: Kids-Friendly AmenitiesWith a supervised outdoor pool and a separate room for kids located close to the suites, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach offers a variety of kids-friendly amenities to enhance our family vacation. Here are some key features of this hotel:Kids eat free: At the on-site restaurant, kids under 12 can enjoy complimentary meals, making dining hassle-free for families.Supervised outdoor pool: The hotel provides a supervised outdoor pool where families can relax and have fun in a safe environment.Separate room for kids: The proximity of the kids' room to the suites allows parents to have their own space while keeping an eye on their children.Kitchen in every unit: Having a kitchen in each unit allows families to prepare meals and snacks, offering convenience and cost-saving options.These amenities cater specifically to families, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for everyone. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach prioritizes safety and convenience, providing a range of features that families can appreciate.Transitioning to the subsequent section about the Pier House 60 Marina Hotel, we can explore another hotel option that offers a homely hotel feel.Pier House 60 Marina Hotel: Homely Hotel FeelPier House 60 Marina Hotel offers a homely hotel feel, making guests feel comfortable and at ease.The hotel provides an included breakfast, ensuring a convenient start to the day.With a limited number of rooms, guests can enjoy a more intimate and personalized experience during their stay.Homely Atmosphere and ComfortThe Pier House 60 Marina Hotel offers a homely atmosphere and comfortable accommodations for families visiting Clearwater Beach.Spacious and well-appointed rooms with cozy furnishings and modern amenitiesFriendly and attentive staff who prioritize the safety and satisfaction of guestsConvenient location near Pier 60 and other popular attractions, ensuring easy access to entertainment optionsComplimentary breakfast provided, allowing families to start their day with a delicious and nutritious mealThe hotel's homely atmosphere creates a sense of warmth and comfort, making guests feel right at home during their stay. The accommodations are designed with families in mind, providing ample space and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.With a focus on safety, the staff at Pier House 60 Marina Hotel strive to create a secure environment for families, allowing them to relax and unwind without any worries. Whether it's enjoying the pool with a kiddie pool for the little ones or exploring the nearby Pier 60 venue for entertainment, the hotel offers a delightful experience for families visiting Clearwater Beach.Included Breakfast and EntertainmentWe can enjoy the included breakfast and entertainment at Pier House 60 Marina Hotel. The hotel offers a smaller, homely atmosphere, perfect for families seeking comfort and safety.The breakfast provided is a convenient and satisfying start to the day, ensuring that guests are fueled for their adventures ahead.Additionally, the entertainment at Pier House 60, located at Pier 60 nearby, offers a variety of activities and events for families to enjoy. From live music performances to arts and crafts, there's something for everyone to partake in.However, it's important to note that Pier House 60 Marina Hotel has a limited number of rooms available. Therefore, it's advisable to make reservations in advance to secure a spot at this family-friendly hotel.Limited Number of RoomsAlthough Pier House 60 Marina Hotel offers a homely hotel feel, there's a concern about the limited number of rooms available.This limited availability can be a problem during peak seasons or when there are specific events happening in the area. It may be difficult to secure a room at this hotel.Guests who prefer a wider range of options in terms of room types and configurations may find the limited number of rooms limiting.The limited number of rooms could also lead to potential overcrowding in common areas such as the pool or breakfast area, especially during busy times.It's important for guests to plan and book their stay in advance to ensure they can secure a room at Pier House 60 Marina Hotel.Despite the limited number of rooms, Pier House 60 Marina Hotel still provides a comfortable and homely atmosphere for guests, with added benefits such as included breakfast and a pool with a kiddie area. However, it's crucial to consider the limited availability when planning a stay at this hotel.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre There Any Dining Options Other Than the Ones Mentioned at Sandpearl Resort?Yes, there are other dining options available at Sandpearl Resort besides the ones mentioned.While the resort has limited dining options, there are several restaurants located nearby that offer a variety of cuisines.Guests can explore the surrounding area and find a range of dining choices to suit their preferences.Additionally, Clearwater Beach itself has a wide selection of restaurants and cafes, providing plenty of options for families staying at Sandpearl Resort.What Are the Nearby Attractions and Activities Near Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key?Nearby attractions and activities near Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key include beachfront activities, water sports, and the famous Pier 60. The resort is located at a distance from Clearwater Beach attractions, but there are plenty of options just outside the resort.The accommodations are spacious with separate living areas, and the on-site amenities include a kids club, game room, and a designated children's section in the pool area.Dining options are limited, but there are two restaurants at the resort.How Crowded Does Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Get During Peak Seasons?During peak seasons, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa can get quite crowded. It's a popular destination for families, and the beachfront location attracts many visitors.However, it's important to note that crowdedness may vary depending on the specific time of year and events happening in the area. Overall, it's recommended to plan ahead and make reservations in advance to ensure a comfortable stay at the resort.Are There Any Additional Amenities Offered at Sheraton Sand Key Resort Besides the Ones Mentioned?Yes, there are additional amenities offered at Sheraton Sand Key Resort besides the ones mentioned.The resort provides direct beach access, on-site pools, and restaurants for guests to enjoy.In addition, there are various activities available such as jet ski rental, tennis, and a market.Guests can also relax by the pool with drinks from the poolside bar.The resort offers different-sized rooms to accommodate the needs of families.What Are the Sizes of the Rooms Available at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach?The sizes of the rooms available at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach vary, but they offer a range of accommodations to suit different needs.Some rooms may be more spacious than others, while others may be more compact.It's best to check with the hotel directly or visit their website for specific room size information.ConclusionIn conclusion, Clearwater Beach offers a range of excellent hotels for families.One example is the Sandpearl Resort, which provides family-friendly facilities such as a kids club and beachfront pool.Families can enjoy activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding, and relax in spacious and clean accommodations.With its stunning beachfront location and various amenities, the Sandpearl Resort is the perfect choice for a memorable family vacation in Clearwater Beach.

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2024.05.21 19:29 healthmedicinet Health Daily News May 20 2024

DAY: MAY 20 2024
5-20-2024

Why nightmares and ‘daymares’ could be early warning signs of autoimmune disease

An increase in nightmares and hallucinations—or ‘daymares’—could herald the onset of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, say an international team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. The researchers argue that there must be greater recognition that these types of mental health and neurological symptoms can act as an early warning sign that an individual is approaching a “flare,” where their disease worsens for a period.
5-20-2024 Yoga and meditation-induced altered states of consciousness are common in the general population, study says
Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and other practices are gaining in popularity due to their potential to improve health and well-being. The effects of these practices are mostly positive and occasionally transformational, yet they are known to sometimes be associated with challenging altered states of consciousness. New research by a team including investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that altered states of consciousness associated with meditation practice are far more common than expected. Although many people reported positive outcomes, that were sometimes even considered transformational, from these experiences, for a substantial
5-20-2024 Examining the benefits of out-of-network care for pediatric moyamoya
Total in-episode expenses and resource use before the index surgery (preop) and including/after the surgery (postop). The comparisons are separated for analysis into (A) single institution cohorts (1 and 2) and (B) multi?institution cohorts (3 and 4). Moyamoya disease is a rare condition that affects the blood vessels in the brain, especially in children. Narrowing and blockage of vessels significantly increases the risk of stroke and requires surgical revascularization for treatment. Although research shows that outcomes of revascularization are better
5-20-2024 Study explores links between social media use, mental health and sleep quality
The more time you spend on social media, the greater the likelihood of having unpleasant social-media related dreams that cause distress, sleep disruption and impact our peace of mind. Flinders University’s Reza Shabahang says that the vast and rapid adoption of social media has the potential to influence various aspects of life, including the realm of dreaming. “As social media becomes increasingly intertwined with our lives, its impact extends beyond waking hours, and may influence our dreams,”
5-20-2024 How are asthma and heart health linked?
Although the heart and lungs are neighbors in your chest, people may think of them as separate entities with unrelated problems. But a growing body of evidence suggests that asthma—one of the most common lung disorders—is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Asthma is a serious chronic disease in which airways are inflamed, often in response to specific triggers. It affects about 25 million people in the U.S., including nearly 5 million children, causing millions of annual visits to doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. “We call these major changes
5-20-2024 STUDY EXPLORES PATIENT TRUST IN PHYSICIANS
Trust in one’s physician drives positive health practices. In a scoping review, SUNY Poly Professor of Sociology Dr. Linda R. Weber discovered new developments in the measurement of trust, identified those measures of trust that have known reliability and validity, and compared those instruments’ conceptualizations, dimensions, and indicators. The paper is published in the journal PLOS ONE. Weber explains that 10 dimensions emerged from the study: fidelity, technical competence, communicative competence, interpersonal competence (i.e., caring), honesty, confidentiality, global, behavioral, fairness, and system trust/accountability. In addition, these findings provide the foundation
5-20-2024 TIMESAVING TIPS FOR COOKING HEALTHY MEALS
Living a busy, fast-paced life can make it hard to find the motivation to cook a healthy meal at home. However, learning some shortcuts in the kitchen can keep your healthy eating goals on track and help you avoid grazing on unhealthy snacks, grabbing the first thing you see in the fridge or going out for fast food. Why cook at home? Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight is challenging when you eat out too frequently. Restaurant portions often are super-sized
5-20-2024 UNDERSTANDING PERIMENOPAUSE VS. MENOPAUSE
Menopause marks a significant transition for women, yet understanding its precursor, perimenopause, and its symptoms can be complex. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health and medical director of The Menopause Society, says experiencing perimenopause and menopause can be confusing for some. She says it is not only patients who may find it confusing, but medical providers as well, due to lack of training in menopause management. “Menopause is defined by no menstrual cycle for a year,” says Dr. Faubion.
5-20-2024 LOW-DOSE IRON SUPPLEMENTATION HAS NO BENEFIT FOR BREASTFED INFANTS, SHOWS STUDY
The American Pediatric Association recommends iron supplements to all healthy infants who breastfeed longer than four months, while its European counterpart, Society of Gastroenterology, Hepataology and Nutrition, does not recommend it. These deviating guidelines stimulated researchers to design a new study. Breastfeeding is strongly recommended, and the proportion of children are breastfed during the first half of life is high. The researchers wanted to determine whether breastfeeding babies could benefit from extra iron.
5-20-2024 ALLERGY MEDICATIONS COME WITH HAZARDS: BE AWARE
People with seasonal allergies often turn to over-the-counter and prescription medicines to relieve symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes, nose or throat. But they often aren’t aware that these meds—including antihistamines—have as much risk for potential side effects, drug interactions and overdose as other drugs. “All medicines have side effects associated with them even when they are taken appropriately and according to dosing directions on the label,”
5-20-2024 I CAN’T AFFORD OLIVE OIL—WHAT ELSE CAN I USE?
If you buy your olive oil in bulk, you’ve likely been in for a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets have been selling olive oil for up to A$65 for a four-liter tin, and up to $26 for a 750 milliliter bottle. We’ve been hearing about the health benefits of olive oil for years. And many of us are adding it to salads, or baking and frying with it. But during a cost-of-living crisis, these high prices can put olive oil out of reach. Let’s take a look at why
5-20-2024 Researchers uncover biological trigger of early puberty
Heather Brenhouse, associate professor of psychology, says disrupting the caretaker relationship can really traumatize a child or a developing rodent. Credit: Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University New research conducted by the Brenhouse Lab reveals how early life adversity triggers early puberty and late-life anxiety, paving the way for potential interventions. The onset of puberty has been creeping downward for decades. In the United States, the average age of girls reaching puberty ranges from 8.8 to 10.3 years old. The early start of puberty, which is associated with many health risks, can be
5-20-2024 Bioluminescence and 3D-printed implants shed light on brain–spinal interactions
Brain-spinal cord duet’s neurodynamic symphony is now accessible to scientists via novel multi-organ implants. Credit: Dmitrijs Celinskis A sensory process such as pain is no ordinary phenomenon—it’s a symphony of neural and vascular interactions orchestrated by the brain and spinal cord. Attempting to dissect this symphony by focusing on a single region is like trying to understand a complex melody by listening to just one instrument. It’s incomplete, potentially misleading, and may result in erroneous conclusions. Enter the Carney Institute’s team of visionaries. Their mission? To develop tools that allow
5-20-2024 New thesis explores cancer treatment that can prevent relapse
. What is the main focus of your thesis? Relapse following initial treatment efficacy remains a major clinical challenge for many cancers. The focus of my thesis has been to explore the therapeutic impact of immune cells in patients with blood cancer (leukemia), by first investigating which cells
5-20-2024 New study reveals health and social benefits of car-free living
Participating in a three-week car-free challenge has enhanced the health and well-being of Oxford residents, according to research conducted by The University of Bath’s Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), in partnership with climate charity Possible and Low Carbon Oxford North (LCON), conducted this research project. After ditching their cars for three weeks, 10 out of the 12 drivers across Oxford who participated said they plan to continue with reduced car use beyond the project. The findings of this research project show that: Day-to-day transport emissions were slashed
5-20-2024 Research shows linked biological pathways driving skin inflammation
A certain biological pathway—a set of linked reactions in the body—drives the inflammation seen in the skin disease psoriasis, a new study finds. The work could lead to improved therapies for all inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic and allergic dermatitis and a type of boil called hidradenitis suppurativa, say the study authors. The findings are published in the journal Immunity. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to irritation and infection, but when out of control, it can lead to the reddish, flaky, itchy lesions that
5-20-2024 Prescription co-payments linked to more hospital admissions in New Zealand, study finds
A new study from researchers cautions that bringing back the $5 co-payment for prescription medicines could see a jump in hospital admissions. The study analyzed health data for 71,502 people and found those who didn’t pick up a prescription because they couldn’t afford the $5 fee had a 34% higher rate of being admitted to hospital.
5-20-2024 How a simulation is informing COVID-19 vaccine policy after our ‘return to normal’
As the saying goes “There is no such thing as normal” and this has been especially true after the pandemic. Before the emergence of the omicron COVID-19 variant, countries like the U.K. had high vaccination coverage along with widespread exposure to COVID-19 in the population. This combination of vaccine and infection-derived immunity is termed hybrid immunity and is different to vaccine immunity or infection immunity alone. In contrast, other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and those in the Western Pacific, had a very different pandemic experience.
5-20-2024 Researchers find intriguing connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other common conditions
A study has found that while some medical conditions appear to increase our likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, others appear to decrease the odds. The study, led by Dr. Yijun (Nicholas) Pan and Dr. Liang Jin, analyzed data from 2,443 older Australians living in Melbourne or Perth who are part of the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study, an internationally recognized cohort for dementia research. “We found anxiety and other neurological disorders are associated with increased likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Pan said.
5-20-2024 Prepping autistic or sound-sensitive kids for cicada noise
As Chicagoans await the emergence of the cicadas, parents of children on the autism spectrum and/or who have sensitivities to sound can take a few steps to prepare for what is expected to be a loud summer. “Some children on the spectrum can struggle with loud or unexpected noises, such as toilets that automatically flush, fireworks around the Fourth of July or the emergence of a large number of cicadas,”
5-20-2024 Study highlights importance of screening for rare inherited iron metabolism defects
Over 40% of cases curated based on stringent clinical and laboratory criteria from the Indian subcontinent have an inherited iron metabolism defect on comprehensive genomic evaluation, report investigators in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Although iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent form of anemia globally,
5-20-2024 Study finds tyrosine kinase Csk promotes germinal center B cell survival and affinity maturation
The authors found that Csk (a tyrosine kinase that attenuates B cell receptor signaling) is required for germinal center maintenance and efficient antibody maturation. The immune system strikes a fine balance by identifying and neutralizing disease-causing agents while carefully avoiding destruction of healthy tissues and cells. Now, researchers from Japan have shed new light on one of the processes that helps train immune cells to act only against genuine threats.
5-20-2024 Significant gaps between science of obesity and the care patients receive, say experts
As research continues to produce evidence about the underlying causes of obesity and optimal strategies to treat and manage obesity have evolved, there are disparities in application of the latest scientific advances in the clinical care that people with obesity receive. Widespread adoption of current findings, consistency of care and expertise in obesity care varies by health care professional and institution.
5-20-2024 Improving online depression treatment
Symptom course of depression for individuals who dropped out of treatment and those who completed treatment. In the dropout group, there is an initial decrease in symptoms while the patients were still in treatment, which tapers off as they drop out. For completers, there is close to a linear change over time. This suggests there is a relation between the more that an individual continues to participate in ICBT and their depressive symptom improvement.
5-20-2024 Women face worse chronic kidney disease management in primary care
Women receive worse primary care-based chronic kidney disease (CKD) management than men, according to a research letter adult patients with CKD receiving primary care at 15 practices using electronic health record data to examine sex disparities in guideline-based CKD management
5-20-2024 Bisoprolol does not reduce exacerbations in at-risk COPD patients
For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bisoprolol does not reduce the number of self-reported exacerbations treated with oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, or both, according to a study
5-20-2024 Anticancer potential of CLK kinase inhibitors 1C8 and GPS167 via EMT and antiviral immune response
The diheteroarylamide-based compound 1C8 and the aminothiazole carboxamide-related compound GPS167 inhibit the CLK kinases, and affect the proliferation of a broad range of cancer cell lines. A chemogenomic screen previously performed with GPS167 revealed that the depletion of components associated with mitotic spindle assembly altered
5-20-2024 Study sheds light on bacteria associated with pre-term birth
Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that multiple species of Gardnerella, bacteria sometimes associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and pre-term birth, can coexist in the same vaginal microbiome. The findings, published in mSystems, add to the emerging picture of Gardnerella’s effects on human health. Gardnerella is a group of anaerobic bacteria that are commonly found in the vaginal microbiome. Higher levels of the bacteria are a signature of BV and associated with higher risk of pre-term birth, but it is also found in women who have no sign
5-20-2024 New AI model uses federated learning for multi-organ segmentation based on medical image data
Researchers have successfully developed the technology that can accurately segment different body organs by effectively learning medical image data used for different purposes in different hospitals, which is expected to greatly contribute to the development of large-scale medical AI models in the future.
5-20-2024 Second Phase 3 clinical trial again shows dupilumab lessens disease in COPD patients with type 2 inflammation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with type 2 inflammation may soon gain access to a new drug—dupilumab—that showed rapid and sustained improvements in patients in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine. This monoclonal antibody is the first biologic shown to improve clinical outcomes in COPD. The data supporting the use of dupilumab in COPD will be reviewed by the United States Food and Drug Administration in June. The disease improvements—as measured by a significantly lower annualized rate of acute exacerbations
5-20-2024 New AI model uses federated learning for multi-organ segmentation based on medical image data
Researchers have successfully developed the technology that can accurately segment different body organs by effectively learning medical image data used for different purposes in different hospitals, which is expected to greatly contribute to the development of large-scale medical AI models in the future.
5-20-2024 Second Phase 3 clinical trial again shows dupilumab lessens disease in COPD patients with type 2 inflammation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with type 2 inflammation may soon gain access to a new drug—dupilumab—that showed rapid and sustained improvements in patients in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine. This monoclonal antibody is the first biologic shown to improve clinical outcomes in COPD. The data supporting the use of dupilumab in COPD will be reviewed by the United States Food and Drug Administration in June. The disease improvements—as measured by a significantly lower annualized rate of acute exacerbations

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2024.05.21 06:42 GuiltlessMaple Best Closet Air Fresheners

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Freshen up your closet with our top picks of closet air fresheners! From sprays to scents, we've rounded up the best products to keep your wardrobe smelling amazing. Say goodbye to stale odors and hello to a fresh, inviting space. Get ready to explore and find the perfect solution for your closet!

The Top 20 Best Closet Air Fresheners

Natural Aromatic Closet Fresheners - 12 Pack Floral Hanging Sachets by Rose Cottage - Experience the freshness of nature in every corner with Rose Cottage's 12Packs Floral Hanging Potpourri Bags - the perfect natural air freshener for your closet or any space in need.
Long-Lasting Flower Scent Closet Air Fresheners - SKPPC 15 Pack Closet Air Fresheners, long-lasting, flower scented sachets perfect for drawers, closet, and gift-giving, keep the sweet aroma lasting up to 1-2 months with proper usage.
Premium Odor Elimination Baking Soda Deodorizer Sachets - Experience the ultimate odor-eliminating power of baking soda with Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Deodorizer, providing freshness for 60 days!
AirBoss Closet Airfreshener - Lavender Fields - Experience the pleasant fragrance of Lavender Fields with AirBoss's easy-to-use, continuously releasing, water-based gel Closet Air Freshener, designed for continuous freshness and perfect for odor control.
Long-Lasting Closet Scented Air Fresheners - Owevvin 20 Packs Air Freshner Deodorizer Scented Sachets Bags provide a long-lasting, aromatic solution for freshening drawers and closets with their reusable, hook design.
Premium Cedar and Lavender Sachets for Closet Fragrance - Experience the long-lasting, natural fragrance of premium cedar and lavender sachets, expertly designed for use in drawers, closets, and on shelves, with no chemical additives.
Long-Lasting Gardenia Scented Fragrance Sachets for Home Use - Enhance your home's scent experience with MYARO's 12-pack Gardenia scented sachets, designed for long-lasting fragrance in various spaces like closets, drawers, cars, and storage areas!
Organic Lavender Closet Drawer Sachets - Experience the power of nature with The Good Home Co's Closet & Drawer Sachets, featuring a relaxing lavender scent and a commitment to natural, cruelty-free materials.
Rose Cottage Large 12 Packs Scented Lily Closet Air Fresheners - Experience the long-lasting and luxurious fragrance of Rose Cottage's large 12-pack Lily Closet Air Deodorizer Freshener Sachets, designed to transform your home with its diverse range of scents and eco-friendly packaging.
Aromatic Rosemary Sachets for Closet Fragrance - Experience the fresh and long-lasting scent of rosemary with Joanssore's 8-pack sachets, perfect for personal use or gift giving and designed to deodorize your closet or drawer.
Fresh Scented Sachets for Closets and Drawers - MYARO's 12-pack of scented sachets, designed for drawers and closets, provide a long-lasting, natural fragrance that keeps your living space smelling fresh and helps eliminate odors.
Fragrance-Free Odor Eliminator Gel for Closets Lasts up to 4 months - Neutralize tough odors with airBOSS's 17 oz Fragrance-free Closet Odor Eliminator Gel, featuring Activated Charcoal for long-lasting freshness up to 4 months.
Enhance Your Home with MYARO Scented Sachets for Long-Lasting Fragrance - MYARO scented sachets offer a fantastic array of fragrances, from fresh Lavender to the romantic Jasmine, to the Ocean's delightful summer sea water scent, making any room a pleasure to be in.
Scented Air Fresheners for Small Spaces - Pure Breeze Air Fresheners by Renuzit: Bring freshness and neutralize odors in small spaces with a classic scent of white muguet, jasmine, apple, pearl, and cucumber.
MYARO Fresh Scented Sachets for Air Refreshment and Fragrance - MYARO scented sachets offer a range of fragrances for a variety of uses, providing long-lasting freshness and enhancing the atmosphere in your home or office.
Eco-Friendly Lavender Closet Air Freshener: Sachets for Wardrobe & Closet - Breathe in the soothing aroma of natural lavender with these eco-friendly, long-lasting sachets, perfect for transforming closets, cars, and more into a calming sanctuary for your home.
Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz: Long-Lasting Freshness for Closets & Furniture - Experience the freshness of Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz with natural baking soda odor elimination, perfect for various spaces.
Inviting Renuzit Snuggle Gel Air Freshener for Closets and Small Spaces - Refresh your small spaces like bathrooms, closets, and kitchen sinks with Renuzit Snuggle Gel Air Fresheners' inviting laundry scent in a convenient, adjustable design - perfect for continuous fragrance without batteries!
Fresh and Calming Lavender Scented Sachets for Drawers and Closets - MYARO lavender sachets transform your wardrobe, storage, and living spaces into a refreshing aromatic haven, perfect for maintaining a pleasant and peaceful environment.
Refreshing Lavender Vanilla Air Gel Beads for Odor Neutralization - Experience the refreshing power of Clear Air Odor Neutralizing Gel Beads in Lavender Vanilla, trapping odors for up to 90 days in up to 450 square feet with their non-toxic, eco-friendly formula.

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Reviews

🔗Natural Aromatic Closet Fresheners - 12 Pack Floral Hanging Sachets by Rose Cottage

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I recently tried the Rose Cottage 12Packs Floral Hanging Potpourri Bags in my home and was pleasantly surprised by the unique blend of scents. What stood out to me was how these natural air fresheners truly lived up to their promise of lasting for months. The large size sachets were perfect for tackling the smell in my closet, and even better, they worked well as a shoe odor eliminator too!
One of the things I appreciated about these fragrances was that they were made with essential oils created by French professional perfumers. The combination of these scents, along with the Japanese paper packaging, truly made for an incredible and long-lasting fragrance experience.
I also found that the large size sachets were more suitable for bigger spaces, as their fragrance did tend to dissipate a bit faster in smaller areas. Nevertheless, if you place multiple sachets strategically around your space, you'll still enjoy the pleasant scent.
Overall, the Rose Cottage air fresheners were a welcomed addition to my home, providing a natural and long-lasting solution to freshen up the air. Not to mention, the beautiful designs made them great as gifts for friends and family!

🔗Long-Lasting Flower Scent Closet Air Fresheners

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In my daily life, I've come to rely on these SKPPC closet air fresheners as a simple yet effective solution for maintaining a pleasant scent throughout my home. These flower-scented sachets, available in a pack of 15, are perfect for freshening up drawers, closets, and even suitcases. The long-lasting fragrance can last for up to two months, making them a convenient and cost-effective choice.
One of the features that stood out to me is their versatility. You can place these air fresheners in various spaces to fill your life with sweet aromas, keeping you in a good mood all day long. Whether it's in drawers, closets, suitcases, or handbags, these sachets have got you covered.
However, there's a catch: these sachets need to be stored in a closed space, away from direct sunlight, to preserve the aroma. It took me a while to figure out the best way to store them, but once I did, the scent lasted much longer. Additionally, it's essential to open the package when you first use the sachets, as leaving them unopened can cause the aroma to fade over time.
Although some users have reported issues with the scent strength, I've found that these closet air fresheners are a great gift idea. Their sweet aroma can brighten someone's day and make a lovely present for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or even mother's day. To get the most out of these sachets, gently shake them to encourage diffusion and enjoy the long-lasting, delightful fragrance they provide.

🔗Premium Odor Elimination Baking Soda Deodorizer Sachets

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Recently, I started using Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz Deodorizer for my household and found them to be quite versatile. The natural strength of baking soda in these deodorizers makes it effective in various small spaces.
What stood out to me is the unique perforation in the deodorizer balls, which allows for maximum odor elimination right at the spot. The sachet filled with baking soda and Arm & Hammer's clean burst scent works wonderfully to eliminate odors for up to 60 days and keeps the freshness intact.
One noticeable downside, though, is that the fragrance may be too strong for certain rooms, like kitchens or bathrooms. The scent might even make your dishes or medicine smell and taste odd.
Overall, I've found these deodorizers to be quite efficient in eliminating odors in small areas. It's just essential to be cautious about using them in highly fragrance-sensitive spaces or if you prefer a lighter scent.

🔗AirBoss Closet Airfreshener - Lavender Fields

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Behold the AirBoss Closet Airfreshener in Lavender Fields - my daily savior in the battle against musty closets. The hook design is convenient, allowing me to hang it effortlessly in my wardrobe. The gel formula is water-based, making it environmentally friendly and easy to use. However, be prepared for a bit of evaporation, as the gel dries up within thirty days.
The scent itself is a lovely, calming lavender, perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere. The airfreshener works continuously, and I appreciate the absence of any harsh chemicals. But be mindful, once the gel has evaporated, you'll need to replace the product to maintain its effectiveness. Overall, it's a reliable and eco-friendly option for keeping your closet fresh and fragrant.

🔗Long-Lasting Closet Scented Air Fresheners

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I've been using the Owevvin scented sachets for a while now, and let me tell you, they're a game-changer! I recently received this pack of sachets as a gift, and I must say, I'm quite impressed.
One of the things that stood out to me is the simplicity of their design. The sachets are lightweight and easy to use, making them perfect for filling up drawers and closets with a delightful scent. They also come in a variety of scents, so you can choose the one that suits your taste buds the best.
Now, let's talk about the packaging. Owevvin sachets come in a resealable bag, making it easy to store and reuse. The hook design on each sachet is a nice touch too, as it makes it convenient to hang them in multiple spaces.
Of course, no product is perfect, and the Owevvin scented sachets are no exception. The scent can sometimes be a little overpowering, so I suggest using them in moderation to prevent your space from smelling too strongly.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied with my experience using these scented sachets. They're perfect for a quick pick-me-up or as a thoughtful gift for friends during special occasions. With their long-lasting effect and easy-to-use design, I highly recommend giving Owevvin scented sachets a try!

🔗Premium Cedar and Lavender Sachets for Closet Fragrance

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I recently tried out Professor Killamoth's Cedar Chips and Lavender Sachets, and I have to say, they were a game-changer for my wardrobe. The pack of 20 sachets was perfect, as it allowed me to easily place them in various parts of my closet without feeling overwhelmed.
I was particularly impressed by the long-lasting fragrance these sachets emanated. The combination of premium cedar and lavender truly created a delightful aroma that filled my closet. It was like walking into a little oasis of freshness every time I opened the door.
However, I did notice that the sachets had a tendency to detach from their hangers when I opened the closet. A small piece of double-sided tape would have been a helpful addition to the package to secure them better.
Overall, I'm a big fan of these Cedar Chips and Lavender Sachets. They've not only helped to keep my clothes smelling fresh but also added a touch of luxury to my wardrobe. I highly recommend them for anyone looking to revitalize their closet and enjoy a pleasant fragrance with every wear.

🔗Long-Lasting Gardenia Scented Fragrance Sachets for Home Use

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I've been using MYARO's Gardenia Scented Sachets for quite some time now, and I must say, they've definitely made a difference in my daily life. These sachets are infused with natural fragrance and are perfect for freshening up various spaces around the house. They're great for drawers, closets, and even gym bags - any place where you want a pleasant scent to linger.
One thing that stood out to me was the packaging. Each sachet comes individually sealed in a poly-bag, ensuring that the fragrance remains fresh for as long as possible. This attention to detail is something that I truly appreciate.
However, there were a few cons as well. Some users mentioned that the scents didn't last as long as they hoped, and that they had to use multiple sachets to get the desired effect. Additionally, a couple of reviewers experienced issues with the delivery and customer service.
Despite these minor setbacks, I've found MYARO's scented sachets to be a reliable and pleasant addition to my household. They've definitely made my drawers and closets smell fresher, and for that, I'm grateful.

🔗Organic Lavender Closet Drawer Sachets

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I recently fell in love with the Good Home Co Closet and Drawer Sachets in lavender scent. These biodegradable sachets are not only gentle on the environment but also on our skin. They're free from parabens, phosphates, sulfates, and phthalates, and being 100% vegan and cruelty-free adds to their appeal.
However, their durability leaves a bit to be desired. They don't last very long, be it in my closet or drawer. It's almost like using the lavender sachets as dryer sheets - now that's an idea!
Despite this slight drawback, I still enjoy using these lovely fragranced beads tucked away in soft, beautiful fabric sachets. They add a sense of tranquility and freshness to any space they're placed in.

🔗Rose Cottage Large 12 Packs Scented Lily Closet Air Fresheners

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In the world of deodorizers and air fresheners, Rose Cottage's large 12 pack lily closet air deodorizer is a game-changer. The upgrade in size, thanks to the addition of more top French essential oils, ensures that these sachets provide a long-lasting, pleasant scent that permeates your surroundings.
Designed with both aesthetics and fragrance in mind, these sachets are a perfect addition to any living space. The large-size sachets are ideal for larger spaces, but for optimal scent circulation, it's recommended to place them in close proximity to each other. Don't shy away from giving the sachet a little shake for an extra burst of fragrance.
Compared to bamboo charcoal bags and dried flower bags, Rose Cottage's air fresheners offer a variety of scents that release a delightful aroma. With Japanese paper packaging, your home will benefit from not just the scent, but also the durability these products offer.
These sachets make an excellent gift, as they're not just functional but visually appealing as well. And with Rose Cottage's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, you can rest assured that these air fresheners are designed with your needs in mind.
In summary, Rose Cottage's large 12 pack lily closet air deodorizer is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to bring a touch of elegance and freshness to their home.

🔗Aromatic Rosemary Sachets for Closet Fragrance

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I couldn't resist trying these Joanssore rosemary sachets when I caught wind of their rave reviews. The smell of fresh, dried rosemary filled my closet, transforming it from a dusty corner to a welcoming haven. The vibrant color of the sachets is a plus, adding a touch of elegance to my drawers and closets.
Something I noticed, though, is that the strong scent of rosemary might be overpowering for some, making me feel slightly lightheaded. However, the company assures customers that they follow the best practices in their sachets, so I'll keep an eye on the potency and adjust accordingly.
While I can't say I've used these as a gift yet, they've certainly become a favorite of mine for personal home use. Every time I open my closet, the smell of rosemary takes me to a place of calm and relaxation. Overall, it's a small luxury that has made a big difference in my daily life.

🔗Fresh Scented Sachets for Closets and Drawers

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I've been using MYARO Scented Sachets in my home for a few weeks now, and let me tell you, they've been a game-changer. The set includes 4 lavender, 4 ocean, and 4 cedar wood sachets, all packed in a convenient 12-pack. I love how they're made with natural, organic quality vermiculite and high-quality fragrance oils - I can truly appreciate the thought that went into creating these lovely scents.
One thing I really appreciate is the fact that the sachets are infused with a long-lasting scent. I had one in my car for over a week now, and the fragrance still lingers. It's such a hassle-free way to keep my room smelling fresh and welcoming. Plus, they've helped me a lot in eliminating any unpleasant odors around my home.
Of course, not everything is perfect. While these sachets are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes (as they've cleverly pointed out), I found myself struggling a bit with putting them in small, confined spaces. However, despite that tiny inconvenience, I'd say these MYARO Scented Sachets have definitely made a difference in my home life. They're perfect for a quick pick-me-up, whether it's for my closet or a tired room, and their pleasant, long-lasting scents have been a real treat to experience.
Overall, I'd say these MYARO Scented Sachets are definitely worth considering if you're looking for a hassle-free, natural way to freshen up your home without breaking the bank. They're so versatile, you can even gift them to your loved ones to spread the love (and maybe a bit of the scent too).

🔗Fragrance-Free Odor Eliminator Gel for Closets Lasts up to 4 months

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In my quest for a fragrance-free deodorizer that could tackle my musty closet, I stumbled upon the airBOSS Closet Odor Neutralizing Gel. It's no secret that our closets hold some of our most beloved belongings, but they often harbor some less-than-lovely smells as well. This product promised to tackle the odor from mold, mildew, tobacco, perspiration, and even shoes, and with a time frame of up to 4 months, I was intrigued to say the least.
Upon opening the container, I was immediately greeted by the neutral scent, which was a pleasant surprise. It's a welcome change from the overwhelming fragrances that some deodorizers come with. The gel was thick, but applied easily to the corners of my closet. I was eager to see if it could live up to the hype.
The airBOSS Closet Odor Neutralizing Gel worked wonders on my closet. It absorbed the musty odor that had been lingering for months, leaving behind a fresh scent. However, it was a bit of a bulky package, as I received it in a plastic jar instead of the style shown in the picture. This added a bit of extra space-taking in my closet, but it was a minor inconvenience.
Overall, the airBOSS Closet Odor Neutralizing Gel did its job and neutralized the odor in my closet. The fragrance-free aspect was a plus and the gel lasted for months, making it a worthwhile investment. But the extra bulk in packaging was a bit of a downer. Nevertheless, it's a product that gets the job done and keeps my closet smelling fresh.

🔗Enhance Your Home with MYARO Scented Sachets for Long-Lasting Fragrance

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Recently, I've been using the MYARO 12 Packs Sandalwood Scented Sachets for Drawer and Closet, and it's been a truly pleasant experience. The sachets are made using top-quality essential oil from France, which helps spread a delightful fragrance around my home.
One of the great things about these sachets is their versatility. I placed them in my shoe box and was amazed at how effectively they eliminated the sweaty and stinky smell. Similarly, hanging them on my clothes has allowed my lover to enjoy the wonderful fragrance when they get closer to me.
These sachets are not only great for freshening up my home but also make fantastic gifts. When someone receives a MYARO scented sachet, their surprise and excitement are palpable. You can also place them in your drawer to have the pleasant scent linger slowly.
While traveling, I've found these sachets to be particularly helpful in masking the exhausting smell of gasoline in my car. I've also noticed a significant improvement in my sleep quality when I place the sachets near my pillow. The sweet smell helps me relax and sleep more soundly.
To make my life even more aromatic, I often add these sachets in places like my office, guest room, toilet, and fitness bag. It not only freshens up these spaces but also makes them feel more pleasant and welcoming.
With the MYARO scented sachets, you can choose among various fragrances like Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, and Ocean. Each sachet offers a unique blend of scents, making it suitable for different moods and preferences.
Overall, the MYARO 12 Packs Sandalwood Scented Sachets for Drawer and Closet are a fantastic investment for anyone looking to bring a touch of elegance and freshness into their home and enhance their daily experiences.

🔗Scented Air Fresheners for Small Spaces

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I recently tried out the Renuzit Pure Breeze Pet Air Fresheners, and I must say, they really did a great job in keeping my home smelling fresh and clean. These cones are perfect for small spaces like bathrooms and closets, and they released a pleasant scent that was just the right balance between fresh and subtle.
One thing that really stood out to me was their adjustable fragrance levels. I could easily control the intensity of the scent, which was perfect for my preference. Additionally, these cones are easy to use - just turn them upside down when they run out of fragrance, and it's effortless to see when they need to be replaced.
However, I've noticed that their scent tends to weaken over time. It used to last up to three weeks, but now it doesn't even last three days. I would've appreciated if it lasted longer, as it would mean fewer replacements and more savings.
Still, I recommend the Renuzit Pure Breeze Pet Air Fresheners to anyone looking for a simple yet effective way to keep their home smelling fresh. They're affordable and easy to use, plus they help control odors without overpowering the room with an overwhelming scent.

Buyer's Guide

A well-maintained closet not only offers a better space for organizing clothes and accessories but also makes a positive impact on the overall indoor air quality. A quality air freshener in your closet works to neutralize bad odors and contribute to a healthier living environment. However, with a broad array of options available in the market, selecting the most suitable closet air freshener can be a bit daunting. This buyer's guide provides essential information to make an informed decision and help you find the right air freshener for your closet.

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Odor Neutralization Capacity

One of the first things to consider when purchasing a closet air freshener is its effectiveness in neutralizing bad odors. Look for products that employ natural and safe ingredients like essential oils, activated carbon, or baking soda to absorb and eliminate odor-causing agents. These materials are eco-friendly and safe for use in closed spaces, ensuring that the air in your closet stays fresh and pleasant.

Room Size and Duration of Refresh

Closet air fresheners work best when their coverage matches the size of the room where they are placed. Therefore, it's essential to consider the volume of your closet space and ensure that the chosen air freshener can effectively cover the area. Also, pay attention to the package information and find out how long the air freshener releases a pleasant scent. A convenient duration will provide sufficient time for you to freshen up your closet while keeping the scent pleasant.

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Ease of Use and Maintenance

An air freshener that requires minimal effort for installation and maintenance is the best choice for busy households. Look for options that are easy to place and don’t need frequent replacement. Also, consider whether you prefer a refillable or disposable air freshener, depending on your preference and convenience.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices

Staying eco-conscious is an important aspect for many buyers during the purchasing process. When choosing a closet air freshener, look for products that are planet-friendly and contain biodegradable ingredients. Additionally, opt for a recyclable or reusable container so that your purchase not only freshens up your closet but also contributes to a cleaner and healthier planet.
By taking the factors mentioned into consideration, you will be able to find the perfect closet air freshener to keep your space fresh, odor-free, and inviting. Remember that each product has its unique features, so consider your individual requirements and preferences for a truly satisfying shopping experience.

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FAQ

How do closet air fresheners work?

Closet air fresheners work by releasing fragrances into the air, which can help mask unpleasant odors and create a more pleasant environment. Some air fresheners use natural scents, while others may use synthetic fragrances. These products can be found in a variety of forms, such as spray bottles, plug-ins, or gel dispensers, which release fragrance over time.

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Are there any natural closet air fresheners available?

Yes, there are many natural closet air fresheners available on the market. These products often use essential oils, plant extracts, or natural fragrance blends. Some popular natural air fresheners include baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and other citrus fruits.

What are the benefits of using closet air fresheners?

Mask unpleasant odors, such as those caused by pets, smoke, or mold
Create a pleasant environment by releasing fragrances
Help control dust mites and other allergens
Provide a more inviting atmosphere for guests

How long do I need to use the product for it to be effective?

The effectiveness of air fresheners can vary based on the product and usage. In general, it is recommended to use the product regularly (e. g. , every day or every other day) for best results. Some air fresheners may require more frequent use, while others may last longer.

What are some tips for finding the right closet air freshener for my needs?

Consider the size of your closet and the level of humidity in your area
Look for air fresheners that target specific odors, such as pet odor or cigarette smoke
Evaluate the fragrance options and choose one that appeals to your preferences
Check the reviews and ratings to get an idea of the overall effectiveness and customer satisfaction

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2024.05.18 21:41 MisterAmmosart Trip Report: 05/05 - 05/17. Mainly Tokyo. IIDX traveling in Kanto. Long post.

Freshly back and awake after a twelve day stint for my first time there. I knew that I wanted to go in general, and while I didn't have a firm itinerary planned out, there was one main goal that I had in terms of sites within the country. The main video game that I play is Beatmania IIDX, and it has internal trophies which are represented as badges. Your profile allows you to assign up to five of them as visible when you start a new round, and there are badges to earn for playing at least one round in every prefecture in Japan, as well as every subregion. Getting the Kanto badge meant that I needed to play at least one round in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Chiba. After five days, I had that complete, and now I have a permanent record of this trip within the game itself. There was also a time-limited event to earn points in IIDX in order to exchange them for goods, such as a hat, or a towel, or a new account card and a poster, and I managed to get that taken care of in somewhat dramatic fashion. I did some other things too.
Primary general points
· Getting Suica set on the phone and using it was generally painless. There were only two times where I needed to summon the help of a resident JR employee to clear up an issue with the gate not reading the card for some reason.
· Most vocal interaction which I had was the opposite of painless, because I continuously kept trying to speak Japanese and failing, and most people would realize that I was completely failing at it and responded with English (some with full on sentences, others with just a few words). There were a few rare times that I was able to express my intent in Japanese, receive a response, understand the response, and reply as necessary, but that was rare. Once English was invoked, I would stay with it, because that's what they were expecting. I've been self-studying the language for more than twenty years in varying degrees of intensity, and while my reading comprehesion seemed sufficient enough for this trip, and while I didn't expect my speaking to be as good because I don't have any opportunity to practice speaking, I came away bitterly disappointed in my vocal and speaking comprehension in terms of my interaction with people there. Even within the trip I could at least overhear common chitchat better, but any time I needed to converse with someone for some reason, I usually needed to have things repeated several times and broken down before I finally realized what was being said.
· You are going to be asked about separately buying a bag with every non-food purchase. Accept or immediately present one that you are carrying to indicate how your purchase shall be bagged.
· I never once had my passport requested for presentation.
· Only once did a person volutnarily reach out to address me, and it was just to ask me where I was from in English. Otherwise, everyone left me alone the entire time.
· Weather through the period was ideal. Mid to upper 70F/25C range and only a few days where it was rainy, and even then it wasn't a downpour. A while ago I personally resolved to only wear suits in public and I purchased a new pair of Mephisto shoes after hearing reports of the extensive walking causing problems for traveller's feet and shoes. My attire help up well; there were only a few times that I needed to avoid sunlight to not get too hot, and I have no issues to report from the shoes.
· I only got X'd out of a restaurant one time, and I think it's only because I wandered into it before it was ready for service. Otherwise, I never once waited in line for food, I never once went to restaurant more than once, and all food was acceptably priced for the portion and excellent for the quality.
For these per-day recounts, I wrote them contemporaneously at the end of each day, so you'll need to forgive me for some writing being in present tense and other writing being in past tense.
Day 1 - Travel, Sugamo, Ikebukuro
Non stop flight from Chicago OHare to Haneda. 12 hours. Good thing I usually don't watch movies, because that just means that all I needed to do was binge a few to make the trip go by.
Pre-trip research led me to choose APA Sugamo as my home base for the visit, and I think that it was a very fortuitious choice. I'll have more to say about it later.
Some awkward encounters happened right away upon checking in here. I was at the nearby Family Mart to buy some things and I didn’t catch that he was making sure I wanted a bag until he repeated it five times. Yes, I’ll take it. Before getting there I was coming down to ground level after checking into my room, and when that person saw that I would have been the only other person going down to the ground, they ducked right back out. I was warned on both of these kinds of things happening, so I guess it’s good to have that immediately out of the way. It would turn out that people deliberately avoiding me was rare throughout the trip.
Despite not sleeping on the trip, I had freshly arrived and had no sense of being tired, so once I had my stuff down, I went off to Ikebukuro right away. No picture or video truly conveys how crowded these areas can get. It can only be experienced in person to be understood.
I soon found Round One Ikebukruo and went right in. So dense and loud. It’s entirely alien to me to see no less than ten IIDX machines in operation and all of them in use. I dumped the money into random tickets, as I foresaw doing, but now I have to wonder if that was the right thing to do, or if it’s tied to that location. I guess I’ll find out.
The forecast is for rain so I need to be in a hurry to figure out where I’m going to go. There might be only one day left for me to get my time limited toys.
Day 2 - Kawasaki, Kanagawa - Utsunomiya, Tochigi - Oomiya, Saitama
My body decided that it only needed four hours of sleep this morning. Without doing more research, I somehow decided to assume that more of the Round One locations were close to 24 hours of operation much like Ikebukuro. Answer: no. I hopped on the train early and went to Shibuya first, but it was very quiet, so I decided to get some of the travels out of the way today and headed south to Kawasaki. I still needed to dawdle for a while until Silk Hat opened at 900AM, and when I finally was able to get inside, I was only able to verify that their store had several allotments of the campaign goods and all allotments were out. Played one round on a monitor that was surprisingly blurry, and I don’t know why that would be the case with a lightning model, but it was, so that was enough.
After doing all of that, I resolved to try to go to Chiba and Ibaraki afterwards. I figured that with Kanagawa and Tokyo likely all out, going to the outskirts would make more sense. However, there was an injury on one of the rails that threw everything off normal, and the train I found myself riding was bound for Utsunomiya instead. Seeing as how I was going to go there eventually, I rolled with it.
It doesn’t take too long to move away from Tokyo metropolitan area before you encounter more forest like areas and rice paddy fields. Halfway through the trip I noticed that two older women suddenly hopped off while the train was waiting to go to the next stop, and I followed them when I realized they found the express line. Utsunomiya has a substantial size to its area and buildings but it was very quiet on the streets there in midday. Walked a mile to Sega GIGO, found that they didn’t even have the goods tracker up. All out. Interesting buliding for it having several neon signs, all vintage and authentic at that. Getting to there from the south meant cutting through Saitama, so I knew I had enough time to make one last attempt there. Research shown two stores being near Oomiya station, so that’s where I ended up. Taito Station was immediately visible upon exit, and they have two IIDX machines specifically with 20 gram springs, which is closer to my home setup and that much lighter than standard 50 gram springs. The final hour drew near and I made one last visit to that city’s Round One. Unlike nearly every other place I went to so far, it only had one IIDX machine. However, and maybe because of that, their goods listing didn’t show everything as out. One painful language exchange later, I was able to discern that what I wanted was available. When you spend more than 3000 yen in a single credit, the game wants to verify if you really want to proceed. It does it again at 6000 and 9000. Yes, I really do. But, having made that money dump I was able to get my hands on the e-amuse card and poster with fifteen minutes left before the deadline. Mission complete. By this point in the day it was exceedingly difficult to even look at the screen so I was ready to come home, but not before getting some goods at the Oomiya Book Off and redeeming what I could for points at Round One Ikebukuro. By the end of the day the only thing that I could tolerate doing was to buy some chicken and nigiri from the nearby train station. Good enough. At that point in the day my body felt like it wants to rock back and forth after all the train riding done today. But, it ended up being worthwhile after all.
One nostalgic feeling I had the most strongly in the day was at the Utsunomiya location where the smell of it triggered past buried memories of yesteryear. I think I want to attribute it to the stronger second hand cigarette smell but I’m not sure - all the same I felt its presence strongly there. Also, I don’t see Oomiya (or really Saitama itself) mentioned as a fun place to go, but it might serve as an acceptable alternative to Ikebukuro, only not as massive in scale of human quantity. Depending on how the trip goes in total I may end up back there for IIDX playing, at least if I don’t find any other place that has 20G springs.
Day 3 - Akihabara
With the travels out of the way, it was time to keep things more regionalized and stick to one area, and there is shopping that needs to be done, so it was off to Akihabara and to see how much of other posted tales hold true. The answer is that it is a lot of it. Kotobukiya can stand to open sooner than noon. Super Potato is indeed priced for a market which wants to snap up anything cheap - I at least found Xi for under 500 and felt that it would have been a bit silly to buy only that, but it didn’t make spending 2000 on one single issue of Arcadia any better. I had no idea that Hey Arcade was right next to both of them; while it was assuredly nice to be there and see the row of Cave shooters among everything else, something got messed up with my registration of my new eamuse card with everything else, so that quickly added to my stress. Having to carry around a few hundred dollars worth of crap with every step didn’t help matters. At least I was able to help a person recover their lost phone by applying a bit of logic to the situation and deducing it to belong to the only person there who looked French, as it was on the Lock Screen. They were relieved, yes. Then, rain came, and it was more than I was anticipating, and I left the umbrella at the room, particularly since I knew I’d be shopping this day. It also turns out to have not mattered much, because I went to visit Bic Camera so that I could get myself a hair trimmer while here, and that turned into me finding a bunch of Kit Kats available, so that meant a second bag. The wind kicked out the rain and my umbrella. In trying to get as many gifts secured as possible, I found some gachapon, but it needed 100Y coins, and I didn’t need paper money in the trip yet. After fighting with maps, I found an ATM to get cash, and got the gachapon. I came home late with feeling rather crushed about the day in that I couldn’t take pictures very well with having to juggle weather and bagging considerations. There were some nice parts of the experience to be sure but between that and more gawking at Super Potato pricing ($135 for PS3 Caladrius? $6000 for Pulstar?) and seeing similar markups on other goods, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that there is a reputation that this area carries and the pricing is there to go with it.
Day 4 - Laundry Day. Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
I was so drained at the end of Day 3 that I fell asleep on the bed immediately after ending the night call, which meant that I woke up at 0200AM to a room that was fully lit. This meant that I needed to look up how to resolve my eamuse problem or else I wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep. I did both. Awake at 0800AM meant that I had time to do laundry while I figured out what to do with the rest of the day. This meant that I was able to get more of Sugamo in pictures, and it was nice to be able to walk among the actual residences, and do other things like come across a school as it was actually in session. With them being close by and all in succession, I figured to get Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku visited. It turns out to have been a good day for it, as the temperature was perfectly cool and no rain came, and the sun came out only for a little bit. Shibuya somehow doesn’t seem quite as large in scope in person but the crowds were definitely there, and it is much more hilly than I anticipated as well. After wandering around and not seeing any arcade for a bit, I came across a series of coffee and cookie shops and remained strong to not indulge. It was there while looking at a Disney store (which gets tourists to take pictures of it for some reason) that the song Alone Again came on through the nearby public speakers. What timing. It drove me to finally get a treat for myself, and the frozen latte (black sesame and houji) and croissant (dark chocolate filing) were certainly good, it ended up costing more than the dinner I’d have later this day. I found a seclusion with a garbage can to eat the food and not carry the trash around, then an arcade soon after, and it was time to determine if I could fix the problem. Just like an easy click, it was. New to trash. Old to new. Done. Why did it have to be this way. Harajuku came next, and the environment there was distinct. This one in particular felt like it was an extended carnival atmosphere with the single tight knit market street and emphasis on fashion. A conversation with a freelance artist in the subway actually went well enough that I didn’t feel dumb. The same sensation carried to Shinjuku as well, only it was more spread out. Kabuki street was interesting to see in person, and I didn’t get any unseemly vibes from the place. Maybe it’s different later at night. A return home at a reasonable time allowed me to go down Sugamo’s market street a bit; most of it was closed, but it was interesting to come across the few remaining stores that were open by 0800PM, and more so the one that wasn’t. Coming back to the hotel I found a 24 hour ramen shop with nobody inside. The chef didn’t want to speak and only pointed to the ordering kiosk when I addressed her. The food came through a slot in the obscured window. At least her thank you as I left was a bit more warm, and the food was certainly delicious. To match with the matcha dessert that I bought from Sugamo station, I swung by a 7Eleven to get a drink, and found a milk tea for cheaper than a vending machine. The overhead music in the store was an instrumental version of Alone Again.
Day 5. Ibaraki - Mount Tsukuba, Miraidaira. Kashiwa, Chiba. Akihabara 2.
Awake at 0500AM on my own and knowing the current forecast meant that my envisioned plan for the day was quickly realized. Reaching the Tsukuba Express starting point from Akihabara needs you to get very far down into the ground before getting out into sunlight. I was on the ride early enough to see schoolchildren going about their commute, some of them being no older than ten and going about it unaccompanied. The people of Tsukuba seemed to be particularly helpful and cheerful that day, even despite my Suica issues at the gate. I didn’t ask his name at the counter but the man at the service desk was eager to speak with me about my career and what I was doing there. One asked where I was from on the way up to the summit and another caught my cable car ticket on the way down. There had to have been a few of them who saw my doing this climb in my business attire and thinking me to be a complete idiot if not outright mocking them for doing it that way while they employed the use of dual walking sticks and the like. I know I read some reports of the home stretch being difficult, but it did get pretty close to being an actual rock climb instead of a trail hike for that part of it. A quick stop to Miraidaira on the way back to get the Ibaraki play. The way the town center greets you upon leaving the rail gate struck me as incredible, as well as for how quiet it was. It was like walking onto a movie set. I did find the sweet shop after the play, and that was another painful interaction yet again. Oh well. Two quick stops down Tsukuba Express and one across from Tobu Urban Park line was enough to have a toe in Chiba, and I didn’t even need to leave the physical building of the train station to get to the basement level to find a machine for a play. Thank you, Kashiwa, you were great. Gunma is all that’s left. The descent from Tsukuba did take some earnest exertion, and after doing that the two stops, that put me back in Akihabara about when I anticipated; what I failed to anticipate is how much that place seems to drain on me. I think I just need to eat at an actual dinner time. Once I got back to Sugamo and had food it was a bit better, but while in Akihabara and being around that environment, and not finding things on a shopping list, I found myself just standing still and watching life pass me by. I hemmed and hawed a while for a maid girl’s hour of service for chitchat, but eventually I talked myself out of it because I just didn’t want potential trouble, just like her name. Komaru. I thought about doing this once just to say that I did, but I ultimately decided against it. You cannot go to this place with the expectation that you will find anything unless it is advertised and new. If you are looking for anything used, don’t count on it being there. You also cannot go there without having a strong resolve to not engage with the touts, because it becomes disheartening to see them do their job and blankly stare at the world when they're forced to stand out there and do nothing. Back to Sugamo to find a place that advertised Wagyu but the price they wanted was more than I wanted to spend. The ramen and seaweed & rice servings were fine, but they advertised endless drink and I didn’t receive that. All for $20? No, son. I did better than that elsewhere, I’ll know better now. Long day.
Day 6 - Tokyo Flea Market, Nakano Broadway, Ueno.
The weather couldn’t have been better for this weekend. I’ve read reports that the flea market held near the horse race track will be arbitrarily cancelled regardless of what is reported on the website, but my gut instinct told me that it would occur today, and it did. Turns out that a flea market is a flea market which is a flea market, no matter where it happens. Same allotment of clothes and stuff that few people really want to buy, although I was able to find myself some neckties at least. I probably overpaid based on what I saw later in the route, but that’s fine. They look nice. I settled on some shot glasses for a gift as well, but I’m surprised that I can’t ind something ornate that isn’t part of a sake set. Seated in the shade with a chocolate churro while rap music played in the background - it’s like I never left home. A woman came to sit across from me for the sake of sitting down; she was from Holland and today’s her last day in the country. Her husband came with food eventually. She had three weeks here and went to several places (allegedly, she didn’t list them out) and I asked her about Nakano Broadway. She didn’t make it there. It’s a good thing that I did - this is probably the kind of environment and market that people expect of Akihabara now, and maybe that’s how Aki was years ago, but it’s different from this. What’s more interesting is that Mandarake has a larger presence here than in Akihabara (so it seems to me), and their stores had floor after floor of any and every kind of pop culture product that’s been made in the past sixty years at least. Buttress that with extensive watch and jewelry stores and a slender arcade in the basement, and it’s a very well centralized microcosm of the country’s economy on the whole. I actually made a point to have dinner earlier than usual this time and found a place to serve some deep fried pork cuts served with rice and soup on the side. It was enough, and very well made. The day had not ended and my bag was heavy with several books purchased there, so I reported back to base briefly and decided to try visiting somewhere else, and settled on Ueno. Just as I arrived, a festival was underway where local teams of people made an elaborate show of carrying a home made shrine to a temple. Streets were officially blocked by police to allow the procession. In following the line I came up against makeshift food and amusement stands with the traditional toy gun shooting and goldfish catching. It appears that this is an official “start of summer” festival and I was able to watch it all happen in front of me. That was the good part of the day.
Day 7 - Tachikawa / Kunitachi. Shinjuku 2.
One of the games that I've never played is Beatmania III The Final. I've played some BM3 7th Mix years ago, but not The Final. I found a location that has one - World Game Circus in Tachikawa. In looking around that area before the trip, I saw that there was a nearby shinkansen museum, and not much else, so I figured that going to both places would make that walk worthwhile. Turns out that it wasn’t a museum in the proper sense of a dedicated building. Rather, it was a bullet train engine car on the side of a building that was unrelated, and that was it. A cute interaction happened here - when I approached the car, I heard some children running around inside, so I approached cautiously without knowing if I was encroaching upon someone else's alloted time or something. Once the children saw me, they gave a hearty irrashaimase as I entered, and the boy stamped a paper and presented it to me. Perfect. Despite it not being a typical musem, the card did have some interesting content, and it's good to see some kind of commemoration for their achievements and progression in that industry regardless. They have a lot to be proud about there. Off to WGC. Maps wasn’t lying about the walk taking twenty minutes. It's a good thing that I looked it up on streetview beforehand, because I otherwise would have walked right past it without knowing it was there. Then there it was, and there I confronted a past that I couldn’t visit again. Sure, I got to play BM3 The Final at last, but my timing was off, my hands were off, there wasn’t much I could do. Along with that I can say that I’ve played on a Beatmania II cabinet, and that was better than 5th Style at least. But that was it, that was all I could stand to do. It was right there and I couldn’t bear to put up with it more than a few rounds at best. Dream big, because only disappointment follows if your smaller dreams ever are fulfilled. I don’t know why finding IKEA back in Shinjuku was so difficult, but it took a while. I bought a bag, and then I bought a bag because the other bag was at the end of the register, which makes sense. I did feed myself before getting back to the Taito station to play some songs, but it still wasn’t good enough. All thumbs. Ended the day with laundry since the timing worked. Speaking of making dreams big, it’s time to cross another one off the list tomorrow. I can’t wait.
Day 8 - Takasaki, Gunma. Oomiya, Saitama 2.
It’s a good thing that I only needed to get to Ikebukuro to transfer over to the next stop, because that’s where that particular run ended for some reason. I wonder what was up. Speaking of things getting messed up on trains, I managed to find my way on a train that needed a separate ticket, which I didn't have. The conductor found me right away and had me disembark at Uraja for me to wait for the proper transfer. The weather forecast said there’d be rain, and the travel forecast said it would take two hours to get there, and neither lied. I feel like I had more people staring at me in Gunma than other places. I will say that I found the Takasaki station area to be rather charming, with the stores that it had inside and the emphasis on the music culture there. It’s one thing to offer a piano to the public to play, but it’s another to have a public willing to use it. This location had both. Having what was essentially a Bic Camera built into the facility was a nice touch too. The Leisure Land arcade was sandwiched between other floors that had its own offering of gaming stuff, so that was an unexpected bit of a fun thing to look through. The area was clean and sparsely populated, and it wasn’t picked clean of all matter of things that would normally get snapped up, so that was interesting. Finally, I made it over to the machine. They had separate fans for each location. I got the songs and then the medals came, and that’s that. Kantou Seiou. I would have stayed a bit longer but I wanted to have the medals show up right away, and my internet wasn’t cooperating, so that’s all I could do. I think there was an Internet cafe that I could have used in the facility, but I didn’t want to deal with an awkward conversation. I did get some Lawson on the way out, as well as some trinkets from the local Gunma-chan store as well as some mini croissants and some macademia cookie things. More vocal awkwardness. Omiya was one of the stops on the way back, and I found a place to serve omrice, so that’s another one off the list. No shoes allowed inside. The value wasn’t there but the service was good enough, as was the flavor. The machines with the 20G springs are indeed legit. Back home in time for some McDonalds, and that’s another food-checklist item marked off. Takoyaki mayo dipping sauce - somehow it’s both salty and sweet. While returning to the hotel, I did happen to encounter an argument amongst two teenaged locals where the guy ended up half-heartedly kicking the girl and getting her to cry. I wonder what their argument was about. I didn’t play hero, but someone else did so enough to prevent an escalation and called the police over.
Day 9 - Sugamo, Tokyo Sky Tree, Akihabara 3, Kanda
Up early enough to decide that I should at least visit the Sky Tree while I'm there just to say that I did, and that I should visit the Sugamo street market upon its open since it was right there in front of me. I'm glad to have done so. With everything open, this felt more like what one would think to expect from a flea market environment that's operated and supported by the local populace. Small stores were open both sides of the street that go on for many blocks, and some tents and tables were set up to sell second hand goods as well. I was able to find someone selling a US Morgan dollar and he wanted only 2000Y for it, so that was an easy buy. If I would have known better to anticipate this area, I wouldn't have felt compelled to buy kitchy tourist crap that is expected as gifts elsewhere. If you are looking for a place to idly shop around that doesn't get extremely crowded and has an authentic local feel to it, consider making a point to come here. Off to Sky Tree. Getting the combo ticket for the second deck was worth it just for the lack of crowds on the upper area. If you're going to come here, consider getting a phone selfie stick or something of the kind so that you can take pictures against the windows without the structure scaffolding obstructing your view. On the subject of shopping again, this might be another area to consider visiting just for the sake of the specialty stores to be found here, such as those for chopsticks or hairpins. To close out the day, my wife reminded me to look for something from the Square Enix cafe, so that meant swinging by Akihabara yet again. Since it is within a walkway, it was a bit of a pain to find this place even with using maps, but I eventually found it and got what she wanted to find. Played some IIDX at Game Panic, which was surprisingly small and the one machine that was avaialble to play had some 2P turntable issues, so that didn't last all that long. Dinner was at a nearby place that specalized in tofu, so that was a good ramen serving with that infused. For the evening, I wandered south to Kanda to get night pictures, and found it to feel pretty similar to Ueno.
Day 10 - Ginza, Tokyo, Kanda & Akihabara 4
Launrdry in the morning. I also wanted to say that I went to Ginza in my time here, and I didn't research anywhere to go to keep it a surprise. It was a bit warmer and sunnier than usual that day, and I stuck to the main road for most of the walk, so I can't say that I found too many points of the interest along the path that I walked starting from Yurakucho station and heading out that way. High class store for high class people, and that's too rich for my peasant blood. Similarly for Tokyo proper itself, I suppose I'd have to needed to wander far away from the Yamanote vicinity to find points of interest there, as I didn't encounter anything that was remarkably distinctive here in comparison to other areas that I have previously seen. Continuing north across Nihonbashi brought me to Kanda and eventually to Akihabara yet again, as if it was a magnet that pulled me inside every time. For the sake of trying a different place I chose to play some IIDX at the Leisure Land arcade there, and I'm glad to have done that, as those machines were probably in the best coniditon that I encountered within that area. Dinner was at Tenkaippin, which I didn't realize until after I placed the order was cash only. The clerk didn't request it beforehand but I voluntarily left my passport there to show that I would return, and promptly went to the same ATM that I had found days prior in order to get the cash to pay for the bill.
Day 11 - Haneda T3, Nishi Nippori, Nippori, Uguisuidani, Otsuka, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukruo, home.
The end. I resolved to take the subway over to Haneda today to get the one luggage over there and stored, and it’s a good thing that I did - there’s no easy solution for getting over there without encountering a crowd. If anything I wonder if Yamanote is actually better. Regardless, I got that much done. With the day left to go, I ventured to Nishi Nippori and I needed to summon the map several times to make sure I found the location, as it was as obscure as it could get. Just a sign on the ground for the third floor, a stairway that led to the back, an elevator that had no decoration, a single room that housed everything. Arcade PCB kits on shelves, joystick panels in exposed boxes, nicotine odor from years past - it was like I was transported to 1995 upon entry, beyond the fact that the games weren’t as old. Most of them, they did have a lot going for SF3 3rd yet. I was able to take care of some game business in a hurry since I was the only one there. It was a very pleasant respite for play in comparison to most of the other sessions. The region itself felt much the same as this arcade - old and well worn, as in well lived. Venturing south to Nippori led me to stumble upon a shrine and cemetery just by following some stairs. Usuigudani was cleaner but mostly had hotels as points of interest. Back home to buy some mochi while mochi was for sale in midday. Then to Otsuka, thinking that I would wander to Ikebukuro, but I ended up wandering back to Sugamo instead. Whoops. Meal at Sugamo, then back out to return to Shibuya and Shinjuku at night to catch evening shots, when I hadn’t done so before at these places. Good thing I did that to get Golden Gai area shots at night. With the night winding down, I decided to have one last IIDX play at Round 1 in Ikebukuro to symbolically end where I started.
Ending arcade comments
· Although the upkeep is generally better and more consistent than the US, some machines will have hardware issues here too. I was surprised by the blurriness with some of the LM IIDX machines.
· Densha De Go on the propert large cabinet is nice but quickly becomes very expensive.
· Bombergirl is OK enough and having the dedicated detonator button that pops up for hitting the base is a cute touch.
· Chase Chase Jokers feels rather clunky and I'm not sure what the game is trying to do. Interesting side screen concept at least.
· Nostalgia is delightful and would probably find a small fanbase worldwide if it had more exposure.
· Favorite IIDX locations are Taito Station in Oomiya for the light keys and Leisure Land Akihabara for the high quality of the LMs there. Honorable mention goes to the Game Versus loctation in Nishi Nihonbashi, but that might not be worth it for a dedicated trip unless you go there first thing in the morning.
Ending overall comments
This was a life altering trip for me, as would be expected. While I'm glad to have made the journey, as to be expected, I will only want to return after making an extensive redoubled effort into speaking and hearing comprehension, because I know that I came across like a blubbering idiot so many times, and it's truly aggravating because I generally know what I want to say and most of the words that are used to say it, but it just doesn't come out of my mouth properly when it needs to be done.
I welcome any questions you may have, as that will help for me to recall the memories and have me write them down.

submitted by MisterAmmosart to JapanTravel [link] [comments]

2024.05.17 17:53 cheriaspen DeSantis Leads The Way & Signs Bill DELETING The Term ‘Climate Change’ From State Law He Had To Remove “The Potential of Global Climate Change” As A State Energy Policy"! Stop Agenda 2030! The legislation deletes more than 50 lines of previous state statutes dealing with climate change. Way to go

De Santis just crushed the Globalists utopian dream in Florida by denouncing so called ‘climate change’ laws. It’s no longer a State “priority
This is such a wonderful thing to hear and embrace. Now lets make this happen in every State and country! Let’s face it, climate always naturally changes. Alarmism is unbecoming. Striking down restrictive laws based on UN climate alarmism is a really, really, really great idea the whole world needs to get on board with, and pronto. It’s working in Perez Zeledon Costa Rica in a HUGE way, which we will share in a post very soon, so we KNOW the Agenda 2030 problem is fixable. Let’s hear from Florida:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (HB 1645) on Wednesday May 15, 2024 that will erase several instances of the words “climate change” from state statutes and restructure the state’s fossil fuel-based energy policy that listed climate change as a priority when making energy policy decisions.
The priority now is to ensure “an adequate, reliable and cost-effective supply of energy for the state in a manner that promotes the health and welfare of the public and economic growth,” as spelled out in a legislative analysis.
“Florida rejects the designs of the left to weaken our energy grid, pursue a radical climate agenda, and promote foreign adversaries,” DeSantis said on X on Wednesday afternoon. The message included a statement reading, “Radical green zealots want to impose their climate agenda on people through restrictions, regulations, and taxes.”
The legislation removes over 50 lines in state law that were established in 2008 under then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist when it comes to addressing climate change. The Crist administration also required the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to set clean energy goals. (Crist is now a Democrat.)
Among the parts of current law that will be removed are a provision for addressing “the potential of global climate change” as a state energy policy, and a provision for the state to “play a leading role in developing and instituting energy management programs aimed at promoting energy conservation, energy security, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
It removes provisions that all state agencies shall contract for meeting and conference space only with hotels or conference facilities that have received the “Green Lodging” designation from the Department of Environmental Protection “for best practices in water, energy, and waste efficiency standards, unless the responsible state agency head makes a determination that no other viable alternative exists.”
The legislation prevents local governments from enacting some energy policy restrictions and prohibits the construction or expansion of offshore wind facilities and certain wind turbines within a mile of the coast (Florida has no such facilities currently).

This isn’t the first time that the DeSantis administration has shown a disinclination to combat climate change. A year ago he turned down more than $350 million in federal funding for energy efficiency initiatives in the Sunshine State. That was followed by rejecting another $320 million in federal funding to reduce vehicle emissions, part of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act intended for carbon-reduction projects, as reported by The News Service of Florida.

Democrats and environmentalists criticized the bill.
“I think it’s taking us absolutely in the wrong direction,” said Pinellas House Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross, who serves as an environmental scientist with the group Environmental Science Associates. “We can’t deny that climate change is happening. Whether you trust the 99% of scientists who do believe in climate change, we know that weather is getting worse, that we have more extreme weather patterns with a very active hurricane season predicted. Combined with the destruction that we’ve already had in this state, stripping the words ‘climate change’ out of statute isn’t going to make it go away, it’s just going to make us less proactive and prepared.”
“Once again, Gov. DeSantis has failed us by signing HB 1645,” said Sierra Club Florida Clean Energy Organizing Manager Brooke Alexander-Goss in a written statement. “Allowing this bill to become law jeopardizes the health and safety of all Floridians, further proving that his top priority is to appease large corporations and fossil fuel companies. We will pay more at the pump and for our insurance premiums, and we will certainly see increases in climate-related disasters and deaths. Make no mistake, Florida will continue to fall behind the rest of the country when it comes to investments in a cleaner and healthier future.”
The CLEO Institute’s executive director, Yoca Arditi-Rocha, said, “It is extremely alarming that leaders in Tallahassee have eliminated statutory language that recognized the dangers of climate pollution, the importance of energy efficiency, and realities of increasing extreme weather events due to a warming planet.”
She went on to say that “Floridians are on the frontlines of rising sea levels, rising extreme heat, rising property insurance prices, more frequent floods, and more severe storms. This purposeful act of cognitive dissonance is proof that the governor and the state Legislature are not acting in the best interests of Floridians, but rather to protect profits for the fossil fuel industry.”
The governor was scheduled to sign the bill in Clearwater Beach, in Pinellas County, but a spokesperson told the crowd that had assembled about 15 minutes before the appearance that he would not appear in person, due to concerns about weather. Clearwater and northern Pinellas were under a severe thunderstorm watch at the time. A listing on the state’s website shows that he signed the legislation at 4:26 p.m.
The bill signing came one day after a poll of 1,400 Floridians found that 68% say that the state government should do more to address climate change. When it comes to the belief that human activity is the cause of climate change, 58% thought so, down from a year ago. The survey showed that only 40% of Republicans say that human activity is the cause of climate change.
source here

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2024.05.17 17:40 getfawked_99 Court transcripts coming soon. 😘 no crowd funding needed.

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2024.05.16 15:28 Downtown_Statement87 I tried to make a new mom friend in Oconee County. This is what happened.

Here's a very long and convoluted story about what happened when I moved out of Athens and tried to make friends in a new county. It's really long.
*
When you're a mom, it seems like you'd have a lot in common with other moms. You're both exhausted. You both can change a diaper while eating a hamburger while making a doctor's appointment while driving a car. She has spit-up on her shoulder? Yeah, well you have Goldfish in your hair.
But it's surprisingly hard to make mom friends. Go to any park or playground, and you'll see lots of Lone Moms dotting the landscape, swiping at their smartphones while their children play. I don't know why this is, but it's always kind of bothered me.
Raising children can be a terribly isolating endeavor. You are busy, but also bored, since most of the tasks required of you are mundane, repetitive ones like loading the dishwasher, cooking food, and extinguishing the dog. You are surrounded by people all day, but these people are mostly pre-verbal, so you end up feeling lonely a lot of the time. I would think that moms would flock to each other like toddlers flock to the one thing in the house their parents forgot to baby-proof. But no. It turns out that most moms don't mix.
When I lived in Athens, GA, it wasn't so hard. I'd figured it out. I'd spy a mom fiddling with her Maya baby wrap next to the sensory play area, sidle up to her, and hit her with my opening conversational gambit: "What's your position on ancient grains?" And thus would begin a heartfelt conversation about Quinoa and Amaranth and what cereals they prefer. But I didn't really care what we were talking about. I just cared that we were talking.
So I was anxious when I moved out of Athens to the tiny town of High Shoals. It's just over the border from Oconee County, and most moms in Oconee County don't talk about ancient grains. They talk about things I don't have any experience with and thus can't comment on, like who is their favorite area aesthetician. (The last time I had anything resembling a facial was when I fell asleep in the middle of feeding the dogs and woke up with one of them licking my face).
Oconee moms talk about where they're spending their family's spring break ("not Destin"), and how Grayson was just robbed at the regional gymnastics finals. Oconee County is very affluent, and very conservative. You still can't get a beer there on Sundays, but at least the Zaxby's drive-through stays open til 10 pm.
Nonetheless, I resolved to try to make new mom friends. I practiced smiling in the mirror and repeating "What's your home church?" (my new conversation starter) until there was only a hint of crazy-eye brought on by sleep deprivation. I worked on not making sweeping generalizations about people based on what county they live in. I reminded myself to brush my teeth and my hair every morning, instead of on alternating days like I usually do. Finally, shortly after Christmas, I was ready to go.
Now, at the same time all of this introspection about friend-making was going on, my oldest girl asked me for a puppy. I told her no and she went away. Then two days later she came back with a compromise: "How about a rat?"
Probably most folks consider "provide a rat-free environment for your children to live in" to be up there with other parenting dictates like "don't feed your baby Jagermeister." These are rules that are so obvious that they don't even bear mentioning. But when Sadie asked for a rat, I thought back to what happened when my teenaged self and friends watched the punk-rock adolescent classic "Suburbia."
Inspired by a character who had a tame rat as a pet, several of my friends rushed out and secured rats for themselves. They would carry them around in the pockets of their leather jackets when they went to the mall to ask an adult to buy clove cigarettes for them. These rats, I remembered, were well-mannered, good-natured varmints.
A quick look on the web confirmed my memories. Rats, the internet assured me, are smart, and social. They are friendly, and loyal, and can be trained to learn their names and do tricks. If you aren't squicked out by the naked, scaly tail, the bulging genitalia, the beady eyes and twitching whiskers, and the general association of rats with things like plague and death, a rat might be just the thing for you.
My husband was not enthusiastic about this plan, mainly because one of his morning rituals is going out to check the trap in our chicken coop to see what predator was snared overnight. Sometimes he'll come in in the morning with a possum in the trap, or even a black snake. But usually, it's a rat.
"Robin," he said, trying to sound reasonable, "Please don't go out and voluntarily purchase more vermin. We have plenty of rats right here." He pointed at the hissing, red-eyed rodent trying to gnaw its way out of the cage he'd just carried in from the coop.
"Yeah, but those rats are different," I said, hoping he wouldn't ask me why.
"Why?" he said. "It's exactly the same thing. It's a rat."
"Well..." I said, trying to stall. "Not really. See, this is an outdoor rat. We're getting an indoor one. Plus, these rats are free. The rat I'm going to get costs $18."

My husband loves me, and he loves Sadie. But mainly, he's tired. And so eventually Sadie got her rat. Honey lived happily in Sadie's room in his 3-tiered Rat Palace, and every day I would take time out from soothing the infant and wrestling with the 3-year-old to play with the rat, something the pet store warned I had to do if I wanted to socialize him.

"Time to coddle the rat," I'd announce to the children, disappearing up the stairs to Sadie's room. I'd take Honey out of his cage and scratch his neck and ears. I'd hold him in my palm and encourage him to climb up my arm to my shoulder. I'd turn on Sadie's radio and the two of us would listen to Katy Perry together.
Eventually, as Honey grew, I started taking him downstairs on brief field trips. I'd put him in the sleeve of my sweater, down by my wrist. If I kept my arm bent he would rest there contentedly, and eventually I would become embroiled in making baby food or putting away toys and would completely forget that I had a rather large rat in my sleeve.
One afternoon in January, Sadie suggested that we visit a park in Oconee County. We got ourselves ready and, as we were heading out the door, Sadie stopped and said, "Hey, why don't we bring Honey?" I agreed and so Sadie cleaned out one of her purses and stuffed Honey inside.
When we got to the park, I decided it would not be safe for Sadie to run around on the playground with a bag full of rat (I do have some standards), so I offered to put Honey in my sleeve. She handed over the rat, which settled in the sleeve of my v-neck sweater, and ran off to play.
At first, we were alone on the playground. But after a while a mini-van pulled into the parking lot and a mom and her daughter climbed out. The daughter was the same age as Sadie, and they began enthusiastically playing together as soon as the girl hit the playground. I stood on the other side of the jungle gym from the other mom, wishing I had some of my daughter's friend-making mojo.
Then I remembered my resolution. "This could be it," I realized, watching the other mom through the slats in the climbing structure. "This could be my new mom friend."
I remembered that if I wanted to enlarge my social circle and meet people in this new town, I'd have to invest some energy and take some risks. I remembered what I had told myself about being friendly and open and willing to meet someone where they are. I remembered all of those things. Sadly, I forgot that I had a rat in my sleeve.
I circled around the jungle gym closer to the other mom, trying to make it look like I was moving just to get a better view of my kid. When I was close enough to her to not have to yell, I gave her a big, friendly smile, and said "Our kids seem to enjoy playing together."
"They sure do!" said the other mom, brightly. She smiled, too, and the conversation with my first Oconee County mom was launched.
"How old is she? Oh, mine too! What school does she go to? Does she like it? Yes, we do live close by. We just moved. You grew up here? Seems like a nice place."
Outside, I was engaging in normal-sounding small talk. But inside, I was rejoicing. "I'm doing it!" I thought. "I'm having a normal conversation with another adult! I'm not crying, or babbling, or forgetting where in the sentence I am! I'm just a few more comments away from suggesting our kids meet up at the library some time, and when I do that, she'll say sure, and she'll have to come to the library, too, since her kid is only six and can't drive, and then we'll see each other again and then Bam! Mom friends! Yahoo!"
I decided to close the deal. I said, as casually as possible, "It's great that our kids are having so much fun together. Do you guys ever do any of the afternoon art things at the library?"
The other mom smiled and said, "Yes, we...do. We do go there sometimes."
"Great!" I said.
But things were not great.
Something had happened in between my question about the library and her response. I didn't know what it was, exactly, but I could sense it. The other mom was still smiling, still making eye-contact with me. But something had changed.
I replayed the conversation in my head. The slight pause in her answer to my question about the library. "Yes, we...do." Her eyes had flicked away from my face and down to my chest for a split second -- just a momentary glance -- before meeting mine again. I'd seen her do it but had thought nothing of it, because she'd looked back at me and finished answering.
And she was still looking at me, her face absolutely calm and straight and normal. Nothing bad was happening. She was still standing there, probably waiting for me to suggest a meeting. So what was the problem?
As surreptitiously as possible (which was not at all, since she was standing 2 feet away from me, watching my face) I dropped my own eyes down to my chest. And then I understood.
Honey, the rat who was so at home in my sweater sleeve that I often forgot he was there, had crawled up my sleeve and around to the front, and was now poking his head out of the point in the "v" of my v-neck sweater.
Looking at it from my perspective, I'm just a mom who is trying to make a new friend and who also happens to have a rat crawling around in her sweater. What's the big deal? But from her perspective?
I can hear her standing in her kitchen, staring into a big glass of red wine and telling it to her husband. "A woman tried to talk to me at the park today, but there was a rat in her sweater, so..."
I looked up from the trembling pink nose and sharp eyes of the rodent poking out of my cleavage and into the face of the woman I was never, ever going to be friends with. I had absolutely no idea what etiquette was called for in this situation. Should I acknowledge what was happening with a breezy "oh, ha, don't worry, he's tame"?
Or should I feign surprise, and act as shocked as she? "Oh my gosh," I could shriek, batting at my sweater, "How did that get in there?" Was it worse to be the kind of person who puts vermin in her sweater on purpose? Or the kind who gets fully dressed without realizing there's a rat loose in her clothing? I couldn't decide.
Because this is the South -- the place where one's darkest character failings are met with a sweet "bless your heart!" -- the other mom didn't do what some other moms might have done (e.g., pepper spray me while calling Child Protective Services). Instead, she decided to do the polite thing, and pretend that our casual conversation hadn't just been interrupted by the appearance of a clothing rodent.
She stood there, her serene expression belying the tsunami of WTF? probably roiling in her head, and exchanged a few more banal pleasantries with me. Taking my cue from her, I also tried to ignore the rat, who had crawled down to the waist of my sweater and now nestled there like a distended appendix.
"Well," I said finally, "I guess we'd better get on home." All the other things I wanted to say -- "Maybe we'll see each other again!" "It was great talking to you!" -- felt like chalk in my mouth as I walked with my daughter to the mini-van.
"That girl was really nice!" said Sadie, climbing in her booster seat. "Maybe we could meet her here again."
"Maybe so," I said, reaching under my sweater and extracting Honey. He thrashed and twisted as I inserted him into the purse Sadie had brought along.
"We could play with Honey, maybe," Sadie said as I started the van. "Do you think she likes rats too?"
"I don't know, Bean," I sighed. Should I tell her that, no, she probably doesn't like rats very much at all. Should I tell her that if she wants to be accepted in her new town, she needs to lose the rat and turn her face to more normal little-girl pursuits, like weaving bracelets out those damn rubber band circles? Should I tell her that the weird things she loves are the very same things that will make her lonely? The way her mom sometimes is?
"I don't know," I said again. "But I'll tell you what. If you find a person who likes both you and your rat, you snag 'em, OK? That's when you know you've found a friend." I pulled the car out of the lot and drove myself, my daughter, and our pet rat back home.

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2024.05.15 17:10 DOKI_DOKI_BROTHER I want to switch to refillable vapes / pod vapes

I use disposable vapes for now , need to buy a 10k puffs vape every week , it costs me about 1850 per vape (I usually get the nasty ones ) , however this is very expensive in the long run
I don’t really have an addiction to the nicotine , like none at all and was planning on using e juice without nic to save money in the long run , I was planning to get a Cali burn v3 but my friend says he needs to replace the coils/pods almost every 2 weeks , is this true because then this doesn’t seem like a very viable option to me , currently for the last 3 weeks I’ve left vaping/cigarettes /weed cold turkey and have no problems , however rn I’m at home , but I need these when I go back to college , can you suggest something that I can do which is going to be financially reasonable, cause spending 8k a month on vapes kinda really eats into my pocket money budget
Thanks in advance

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2024.05.14 22:18 BeneficialStorm4378 Advice and tips for westcoast journey

Hi everyone!
We’re planning an exciting road trip through Canada this summer (1 month, August and September) and would love some advice and tips from those who have been there before. We’re adventurous, open-minded and love hiking and running. We'll be renting a car and camping a lot, though we have a limited budget. We can’t wait to discover the beauty of Canada! Below is our planned route with the activities we have in mind.
Vancouver (2 days) - Arrival in Vancouver - Exploring Vancouver
Victoria (1 day) - Goldstream National Park - Hike: Goldstream Trestle Bridge Trail/Niagara Falls Trail
Sooke / Ucluelet / Tofino (3 days) - Hike in East Sooke National Park, drive to Ucluelet/Tofino - Whale tour, explore Tofino, Hike: Tonquin Trail - Hike: Wild Pacific Trail, surfing/beach time - No WCT - too late :(
Sunshine Coast Trail (3 days) - Multi-day hike on the Sunshine Coast Trail
Whistler (1 day) - Visiting Whistler and surroundings
Clearwater / Wells Gray National Park (1 day) - Explore Wells Gray National Park, drive to Jasper
Jasper National Park (2 days) - Hiking and exploring Jasper, drive via Icefields Parkway to Banff
Banff National Park (3 days) - Exploring Banff, Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, and Johnston Canyon, running race in Canmore
Glacier National Park / Revelstoke (2 days) - Hike: Asulkan Valley Trail, drive to Revelstoke - Hike: Lake MilleEva, drive to Kelowna
Kelowna (2 days) - Explore Kelowna
Vancouver (2 days) - Relaxing in the city, attend some activities.
—— After Vancouver we would like to take the train to Seattle (departure flight). However, we will also have approx. 10 days in the USA where we have the following activities in mind:

Exploring Olympic National Park
Visit Portland, Mount Rainier National Park
Explore Seattle, attend a concert or baseball game, flight back home

We’d appreciate any tips on must-see places, hidden gems, or cost-saving advice. Thanks in advance!
—— Thanks for all tips and advice! We have accounted for travel time, this is not clear in my post.
We want to finalize our trip ASAP so that we can book and reserve spots

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2024.05.14 14:01 Zappingsbrew A post talking about 400 words

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2024.05.11 08:49 Angel466 [Bob the hobo] A Celestial Wars Spin-Off Part 1010

PART ONE THOUSAND AND TEN
[Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter] [The Beginning] [Patreon+2]
Sunday
Brock loved one aspect of being a teenager again, and that was the utter lack of responsibility that no first-time teen truly appreciated. He’d stolen a facsimile of that freedom over the last six months of his life as Angelo, though not in a good way. Back then, no one expected anything of him because he was a waste of oxygen that nobody except Robbie cared about.
Well, Mason and Sam were worried, but as the younger roommates, that was the extent of their capability. Now that he’d been handed the original formula, it was fun to wind everyone up by hiding behind the kid façade. Not so much when Robbie laid down the law, but the highs outnumbered the lows tenfold, such as nobody expected him to be up before lunchtime on a Sunday. So when he rolled out of bed with barely two hours to spare, he found the apartment practically a ghost town.
He whistled the words “Yoooohooo,” to see if anyone would respond, and no one did.
Dang.
Where is everyone?
The warmer was empty, and the fridge had the basics, but he wanted a Robbie meal, and he was sure his best friend in the whole world wouldn’t be holding out on him. He went over to the magic box covered by a dishcloth and lifted both the cloth and the lid in one move.
Nada. Nothing.
With a huff of disgust, he lowered the lid (minus the dishcloth since that slid over the back) and went to step away when he remembered the trick to the box. Well … crap! How was he supposed to know what Robbie had put in there for him? The only one who’d know for sure was Robbie, and he was probably out putting together a global grocery shop to restock their pantry after yesterday’s party.
Okay, think dumbass, he ordered himself. Robbie wouldn’t have left you something you couldn’t get to. He placed both hands on the magic box and drummed his fingers. “Alright, box. How do I make you cough up my breakfast?”
The answer was so obvious that he wanted to bang his head against the counter for not thinking of it sooner. Because Robbie’s innate is food. Stop asking what he made and ask yourself what it is you want for breakfast!
Dozens of options rolled through his mind, each sounding better than the last. And then he had it. “Nonna’s frittata,” he said to the box, already salivating, and he hadn’t even smelt it yet. He flipped the lid and filled the room with freshly cooked fluffy eggs and Grana Padano cheese. “Oh, holy mother,” he whimpered, practically drooling over the chunky potato pieces that, for some reason, many Americans left out of the traditional frittata. His Nonna had always called it a travesty.
“Come to Papa,” he declared, lifting the plate to his nose, and breathing in deeply. “Robbie, you’re the best,” he promised, shutting the magic box’s lid and patting it like a dog that had done well. He then went to the cutlery drawer and grabbed a knife and fork for himself. He didn’t worry about a drink because he was certain he could drown in the amount of saliva already dripping from his chin.
For the next ten minutes, he tried his very best to slow down and appreciate the meal. To remember all the good times he’d had with his grandmother before she passed away.
As always, when it came to his Nonna’s recipes, he was full by the time he finished, though he lifted the plate and licked the flavour-infused oil from the surface.
“Risparmio e il miglior guadagno,” he whispered, quoting his grandfather’s favourite defence about his wife’s cooking whenever she’d bust him doing exactly what Brock was doing now and chase after him with whatever wooden implement she had at the time.
Brock paused, then put the plate down and stared at it. He barely remembered what his grandfather looked like, but he’d remembered that. The stocky, no-nonsense, chain-smoking roadworker had died from lung cancer while he was still a toddler, and in that moment of reflection, he couldn’t help but wonder how different things would be if Nonno had survived his fatal condition.
His mother certainly wouldn’t have gotten away with her drug use, and he wondered if Rocco and Giani would’ve gotten tangled up in the underworld if he’d been there to keep them on the straight and narrow. They were young to his old, but Nonno was still the patriarch – or had been.
Then again, if he had lived, Angelo wouldn’t have spent so much time on the streets or met Imogen, which led to Robbie being his best friend. He might still be Angelo instead of Brock…
“God works in mysterious ways,” his Nonna often quoted.
If only you knew, Nonna. I miss you so much.
He dropped the dish and cutlery into the dishwasher and went in search of everyone.
As always, he started with their side of the apartment first.
Since it was heading on for lunchtime, it didn’t surprise him that Charlie was gone. She was probably next door doing more car preparation for the racing driver Nascerdios, who was supposed to be coming by in the next couple of days.
For a second, he thought about knocking on Boyd and Lucas’ door and quickly decided that would be just as fatal as Nonno’s lung cancer. At the very least, Boyd would rip him limb from limb and beat him to within an inch of his life with each of them for bothering them the night after their engagement party.
That left Mason, and a light knock on his door had his friend calling out, “It’s open.”
Brock let himself in and was thrilled to see Mason in his work corner, with his fancy table alight and some sort of internal organ being dissected, his laptop open, and ten tons of paperwork scattered around him.
…mainly because it left something else in the room unused.
“Hey,” Brock said after glancing at the gaming corner and finding it just as he’d left it; fully closed up. “Any chance I could…?” His grin was all teeth as he rolled both pointer fingers at the gaming corner.
Mason growled and waved him off. “And you’re still going to find time to play basketball with us this afternoon, right?”
“Damn straight. I have to prove my superiority to all you losers,” Brock laughed, making a beeline for the coveted machine. He opened the folding doors and pushed them back into the same wall that shared the hallway. Then he kicked over the system, practically giggling with excitement as the whole thing slid and rolled like a Transformer shifting between forms.
And because he had been the last one to use it, the seating was still set to his specifications. He slid around the side and into the chair that was already angling itself with the footrests at the perfect height for him. He took the headset from the charger built into the back of the headrest and pulled it over his ears, twisting the microphone to sit in front of his mouth. “Ground Control to Major Tom,” he sang as the screens on the overhead brace came to life.
He saw rather than heard Mason snapping his fingers at him through the gap between the upper monitors and the keyboard and popped one ear out of the headset. “Yeah?”
“Keep it down, buddy. Some of us are trying to study.”
“Oh…sure. Sorry.” To make a point, he sucked his lips between his teeth and pretended to bite them, flipping both thumbs up at his friend.
Mason laughed and shook his head. “You’re still an idiot.”
You’re studying, and I’m gaming. Who’s the idiot again? Brock mused to himself as he returned the headset’s earmuff to his ear and began typing on the keyboard.
A quick log-in and scan of his character’s inventory and how the land around his base was situated (because leaving the game for days sometimes cost you as others raided your space), he headed out into the mainframe, appearing once more at the crossroads where he’d first met everyone.
Patalon was there, but he had the AFK sign above his head. “Awww,” he said, quickly shooting the orc tank’s player a ping chat to let him know he was available for some more fun if he was interested. Then he left the crossroads and headed ‘east’ towards the mountains.
* * *
The almost inaudible ding sounded like the biggest of Chinese gongs going off in the tiny room, and just like those types of summons, two men launched themselves over the back of the couch where they’d been watching TV and a third rolled off one of the three cots that were placed on the far side of the room. A fourth man rushed in from outside, having crushed out his cigarette on the doorframe, and all four leapt into their seats, each grabbing their receptionist-style headsets that only covered one ear from the back of their chairs.
“Now, this time, try not to stomp on his system so hard you warn him off,” the youngest of the four said from the far end said, as they all woke up their characters and converged on the gaming crossroad. “Or he might disappear for longer than a couple of days.”
“Fuck you. We’re getting paid to find this fucker’s scrawny ass, not pussy foot around forever holding our dicks,” another snapped. On a large monitor against the wall behind their consoles, they could all see the grid section of New York City. As brutal as Clay’s initial assault on the city’s network had been, it had narrowed the field from a global search to this city of eight million people.
The smoker ignored their banter and leaned forward to read the private message on his screen. “You can’t hide forever, Trevino.”
[Next Chapter]
* * *
((Author's note: going out tonight, so I put this out before I left. Enjoy!! 🥰😘💕 ))
((All comments welcome. Good or bad, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🥰🤗))
I made a family tree/diagram of the Mystallian family that can be found here
For more of my work, including WPs: Angel466 or an index of previous WPS here.
FULL INDEX OF BOB THE HOBO TO DATE CAN BE FOUND HERE!

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2024.05.10 20:50 captnamurica2 HAYPP Group: Capitalizing on the Nicotine Pouch Craze

I run a small hedge fund based out of Raleigh, NC. Myself and my Fund are long $HAYPP. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the post. For more blog posts like this check out my Fund's blog at https://www.rogue-funds.com/blog
All Financial Figures are in USD unless otherwise specified.
I think HAYPP Group, the biggest online retailer of nicotine pouches, can capture a huge chunk of the sales in what I believe will be the biggest form of nicotine intake growth over the next 10-15 years.
The future of nicotine consumption will be nicotine pouches and it is growing at an unprecedented rate. Here in the States the go to item for nicotine pouches are Zyn’s (owned by Philip Morris), in Europe it’s Velo (owned by British American Tobacco), but there are various other brands that all catching fire: ON! (Altria), Rogue, Juice Head, FRE, Lucy, and Sesh, among various others.
What is HAYPP?
Brief History
HAYPP is an online retailer and distributor of nicotine pouches and snus. The company was started by a couple of Swedish teenagers in 2009 and through mergers and acquisitions they no longer are in charge of the company as the current CEO joined in 2017/2018. The company bought Nicokick.com and northerner.com (northerner owns 9% of stock) which are now both of their main American brands. They switched from Snus to Nicotine Pouches 6 years ago and haven’t looked back.
Domains Owned By HAYPP Group
HAYPP currently owns a roughly 85% online market share for their Nordic part of the business, which they refer to as their “core” business as well as a ~55% market share of the oral nicotine market (85% market share of the nicotine pouch e-commerce market) for their growth market which is considered the US, UK, Germany, and Swiss countries.
Market Share of HAYPP
HAYPP vs Closest Competitor in each Market
SEO Powerhouse
So how do they have such a grasp on what would obviously be a hyper competitive online industry? The main reason for their hyper success in the online market is that they have a death grip on the SEO landscape. Their mastery of SEO allows them to spend almost nothing on marketing and to keep pushing out their distribution system (which continues to drive costs down for them and consumers). This creates a positive feedback loop as they become even cheaper than their competitors, allowing them to lock in customers (over 90% of the customers becoming recurring customers).
How Consumers find HAYPP
HAYPP Marketing Expenses as a % of Sales
If you google just about anything related to Nicotine pouches, there is probably a 95%+ chance that the top unpaid search result will be a HAYPP Group Domain. Even niche searches such as “what is an upper decky” (Gen. Z slang for nicotine pouches) or basic searches such as “what are the top nicotine pouches” you will see that HAYPP Group owns the top of the search.
https://preview.redd.it/e7ocu0jdanzc1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=f8e80b8d743de3dc9133504bd6ff85dbbaee48bb
Google Searches Highlighting the SEO power of HAYPP
This is huge when sites like Google severely limit the amount of advertising that addictive products can utilize on their search engine. HAYPP ends up barely spending anything on marketing due to 40% of new customers coming through word of mouth and the rest from SEO.
Data
Their other field of expertise is data collection and selling. Due to the large variety of pouches and being the number one online seller of nicotine pouches, they have created a major database which they sell to various nicotine pouch producers such as Philip Morris and Altria. Producers buy these on an annualized basis, and you can see the usage of their data among the investor relation reports/presentations/websites of various producers. As you can see from my beautiful pictures on this post, they compile plenty of data to help me understand the business better.

Lowest Cost Seller and Best E-Commerce Distribution
Due to their distribution network, HAYPP has become one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest) sellers of nicotine pouches in the world. You can buy Zyn’s cheaper from HAYPP websites than you can from the ZYN website. Haypp’s prices are 20-40% cheaper than grocery stores and 30-50% cheaper than convenience stores.
They have been integrating their distribution network so that most variable costs are being converted to vertical fixed costs creating operating leverage for them as they rapidly scale their revenue and are able to increase margins. They have implemented 2-day delivery across the US and close to implementing across Europe markets as well.
https://preview.redd.it/0sajvfgkanzc1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=3aad16b9df1be7bf6bbcc8f16ebf8c469c15b3a0
HAYPP Distribution
Leveraging Market Share for High Quality New Products
The last part of their business model is their ability to leverage their large consumer base to help new products capture market share, which allows them to capture higher margins on their products and it increases the variety of products which consumers would like to buy. In Nordic countries the variety of products is a benefit to them as consumers want to try various brands and flavors. When this competition trend hits the US it will only benefit them even more.

Why Haypp vs Pouch Companies
Currently in the US there are only a couple main brands with Zyn owning a huge chunk of the market. In Europe, Velo is the most popular brand but there are many Nordic brands that consistently attack margins and currently there is little competition in the US market which most likely won’t last much longer. As consumers search out the cheapest product and try to hunt for variety, HAYPP will be that future as convenience stores lag in variety and cost.
Products such as Zyn will definitely continue to grow (currently Zyn is growing at 70% y/y) but we could see margins shrink as competition becomes fiercer and consumers branch out away from the first movers, although Zyn continues to take up 70% of the US market. This only further benefits HAYPP as they are the go-to spot for a large amount of variety. Although they don’t benefit as much from less competition, they are still beneficiaries of an oligopoly esque market due to their cost and distribution networks.
Most large publicly traded pouch companies are also cigarette and chewing tobacco sellers who are rapidly seeing those segments get cannibalized by vaping and nicotine pouches combined with regulatory crackdown risk. Since HAYPP has no exposure to either one, you will not experience any cannibalization outside of snus cannibalization in the Nordics. This is the best pure play bet on nicotine pouch consumption.
Certain countries have limited the ability for consumers to have access to nicotine via retail stores which will allow them to take huge shares of the overall market in places like Germany or in California where they have banned flavored nicotine products in retail stores has led to windfall of customers to HAYPP’s e-commerce model.

Management
The current CEO of HAYPP group, Gavin O’Dowd, used to work for British American Tobacco (BAT) and was the driving force for the VELO acquisition. He currently owns 3.6% of the stock and various other PE firms and Family Offices own large chunks of HAYPP. Most executives have warrants that could give them the right to 200k-400k shares each (29m shares outstanding with no serious history of dilution).

Regulations
As many of you are aware, regulations are a huge part of the nicotine industry. Taxes are going to be huge risks, which are then combined with flavor bans. I think nicotine pouches are one of the products that are least likely to get hit with serious bans since their health risk is much lower than almost any other nicotine product.
The nicotine pouch industry as a whole has been behaving spectacularly well when it comes to ensuring they are not purposefully marketing to young people. They are trying to avoid having a Juul 2.0 fiasco which basically murdered that business and completely fragmented the vaping industry which is on the brink of regulatory crack down.
HAYPP does their part by ensuring age regulation across their whole site. They have age verification to order and deliver. They have a huge emphasis on ensuring that they abide by the law.

Financials
Core Segment (Nordic Countries)
The company is growing heavily in every segment that it operates in. Its core segment seems to be slowing down in growth due to heavy cannibalization from snus sales. This should only be temporary as nicotine pouch volume grows at 30%+ y/y. Once snus nears its cannibalization endpoint, I would expect revenue to begin growing again in its core market (although not at 30%). Current revenue is $250m USD and EBITDA is about $18m USD for just the core segment for the last twelve months. Management expects high single digit EBITDA margins for 2025.
Core Segment Sales and EBITDA Margin
Growth Segment (US, UK, Germany, Switzerland)
The growth segment is skyrocketing. Growth is over 46% y/y and this growth has been consistent and should continue to be consistent. EBITDA margin for the growth markets has begun to inflect positively which will cause a massive amount of leverage in their EBITDA to occur as their fixed cost model begins to do its job. As economies of scale drive forward, we should see this margin increase substantially over the coming years. Currently Revenue is at $77m USD for growth markets and EBITDA is at -$3.5m USD.
Growth Segment Sales and EBITDA Margin
Let’s Talk about the Growth Segment a bit more.
This is where the real value from HAYPP will come into play. While it currently begins to inflect positive in terms of profitability, it should be noted that the Growth markets have a massive TAM compared to their core market and could cause the company to 5x in the next few years if they maintain or gain market share and continue to grow in these massive TAMs.
Total TAM growth
As they grow, their competitive advantage deepens due to sticky customers and cheaper products from economies of scale. The US has an even faster scale of 49%+ growth y/y and HAYPP is outpacing the US nicotine pouch growth at 57% y/y. As the US begins to approve various products and variety begins to flood the US market, a ton of US users want to try various Nordic brands that don’t have access which lends a very strong lean towards an online website such as HAYPP. The US is a very ripe environment along with the UK and Germany (where nicotine can only be sold online) for HAYPP to continue to outperform massively.
Emerging Segment
Their “emerging” segment is where they have begun to introduce vapes into their value chain. HAYPP is beginning to sell vapes to UK and Germany, but it is at the very beginning stages and has no current significant impact on their bottom or top line. The company says the growth they are experiencing in this segment has been very similar to the growth that they experienced when they introduced Nicotine Pouches in growth markets. This is the most likely segment to get hit with regulatory concerns, so for now I won’t even consider this in a to be a profitable unit and will just assume it will be a small drain on EBITDA for the foreseeable future.
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet is great with no large debt burden and good working capital management. As they hit profitability this yeaearly next year I would expect a cash build up until the company decides if they will be returning cash to shareholders or reinvesting in the business.

Valuation
HAYPP is extremely undervalued based on where they are from a profitability standpoint and their current inflection point. Due to their high growth, it will be hard to pinpoint an exact value on them so this will merely be an exercise in estimating their value among a range more than usual (anyone who claims they can perfectly value a high growth company is probably overvaluing due to unsound conviction).
First let’s look at how they are currently valued, which is roughly 14x their core EBITDA. Now let’s take a second and think about how insane that statement was. Their core market is the Nordic countries which will be hitting growth again as their snus cannibalization slows, the Nordic countries basically have no further regulation risk for nicotine pouches, and it is a noncyclical industry. I would argue that 14x their core EBITDA is probably an appropriate valuation based on only their core segment.
What this means is (if you haven’t noticed already) that you are getting their “growth” segment for free based on the valuation of the stock. The growth segment alone is probably worth multiples of the current stock price due to the massive TAM and extreme growth prospects. If we assume the emerging segment is worthless (which it isn’t and it will be profitable at some point) then that means all of the upside in the stock can be based on what the value of the growth segment. Based on TAM, growth, and lack of cyclicality then this leaves the only risk as regulation.
There will most likely be some sort of regulation, but we are very far from that as the Tobacco industry has been very careful in how they implement their new nicotine pouch momentum in a more appropriate way compared to vapes. The most likely regulations will probably be flavor bans of some sort or retail bans (which further benefits HAYPP). Regulations will most likely be limited in scope due to just the sheer lack of mortality risk associated with pouches vs any other form of common nicotine intake.
Based on their probable conservative revenue growth (40% average for the next 3 years, and 15% after that), EBITDA growth, the fact that they will have both core and growth markets at high single digit EBITDA margins in 2025, and their lack of cyclicality, then I would estimate that their Growth markets are worth a very conservative $400m-$500m USD. I am likely undershooting the valuation because they are driving profitability very fast and their revenue is growing closer to 40%-60% in growth markets right now. If they are able to keep up current growth figures and expand to double digit margins before the end of the decade then they could be worth 2x-3x this value (which is why valuing growth companies are so hard, because I can’t foresee the future). Again, I valued the emerging segment as worthless which is unlikely as well.
So, based on the value of $450m USD for the growth markets and the current value of $240 USD for the Nordic markets, that would create a sum of the parts equal to roughly $700m or nearly triple the current share price. This valuation leaves a ton of room for margin expansion and higher growth prospects because let’s face it, the US alone is probably worth at least 3x-5x more than the Nordic countries not including the UK, Germany, or Swiss. This is a very conservative valuation for the company, but it shows how great the risk/reward is based on the current price. Using a conservative valuation here also helps accommodate for regulation risk.
In SEK terms this would be 250 SEK/share or 7.35B SEK.
Conclusion
Even accommodating for regulation risk, a valuation of $700m seems appropriate as a starting point for the valuation for HAYPP Group. I think there is a very high likelihood that I could be off on this by a large margin, but I feel like the downside is very protected with this valuation. Management has been great in execution and I expect that to continue. In a more bullish case where every segment of the company fires on all cylinders we could see a valuation of $1.5B+, but that is not a scenario that I would like to bet my investors’ money on. For now, I will stay invested and keep watching them execute and adjust my valuation accordingly.
Disclaimer: The author of this idea and his Fund have a position in securities discussed at the time of posting and may trade in and out of this position without informing the reader.
Opinions expressed herein by the author are not an investment recommendation and are not meant to be relied upon in investment decisions. The author is not acting in an investment adviser capacity. This is not an investment research report. The author's opinions expressed herein address only select aspects of potential investment in securities of the companies mentioned and cannot be a substitute for comprehensive investment analysis. Any analysis presented herein is illustrative in nature, limited in scope, based on an incomplete set of information, and has limitations to its accuracy. The author recommends that potential and existing investors conduct thorough investment research of their own, including detailed review of the companies' SEC and CSA filings, and consult a qualified investment adviser. The information upon which this material is based was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified. Therefore, the author cannot guarantee its accuracy. Any opinions or estimates constitute the author's best judgment as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. The author and funds the author advises may buy or sell shares without any further notice. This article may contain certain opinions and “forward-looking statements,” which may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” “potential,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “plan” and other similar terms. All such opinions and forward-looking statements are conditional and are subject to various factors, including, without limitation, general and local economic conditions, changing levels of competition within certain industries and markets, changes in legislation or regulation, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors, any or all of which could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.

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