Writing template for biography report second grade

When you just can't seem to find the right answer

2009.09.06 22:48 When you just can't seem to find the right answer

Need help with homework? We're here for you! The purpose of this subreddit is to help you learn (not complete your last-minute homework), and our rules are designed to reinforce this.
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2012.11.18 04:50 /r/tipofmyjoystick: What was that game called again?

This is a subreddit for finding the name of a game that you can't remember. Read the rules, post your description, and hopefully someone will be able to identify it. Be sure to help out if you think you may have an answer to someone else's post!
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2011.08.08 09:50 Muffinmaster19 MinecraftMemes

A place to post memes about Minecraft! Our Discord Server can be found in the sidebar below.
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2024.05.20 03:13 micahwillarthy Part 3

Hurricane Georg.
Our first contact with the new world was a colossal hurricane. Veins of lightning shattered through the black, swirling clouds. I had just tried to calm the nerves of the ship when I saw Suri sitting in the hall beneath the control room.
She was in a lounge corner with her suitcase opened and her supplies scattered across the small table. The little light from the window illuminated her drawing for me to see over her shoulder.
The black and white sketch began at the bow of the ship. The figure of a man in facing the open ocean. Ahead of him, the familiar despair of Hurricane Georg. The man had his back towards the artist, but his stature sailed through the fierce storm without worry. His gaze only in the beautiful sight of home on the other side.
Her pencil began to etch the details of his crewmans jacket, "You have a gift, Suri. Truly, you do."
She was ahead of me, she did not jump or gasp as I had expected, "Thank you, Capi. I saw you in the reflection. Im hard to get the jump on."
"Then this shouldnt surprise you," I smiled and approached her table. "My capi stars are on the right side, "I stepped back and tapped my shoulder."
Disappointment inked her face, darkening her mood, "Dam."
I laughed and pulled up a chair. She had captured the view from the window perfectly and I made a point to tell her. As we talked the storm outside began to fade. The world around us was healed and the worries of yesterday had never existed.
Her eyes were near black, in color, and her skin was incredibly warm. Physical characteristic were useless to determine where a person was from, but 500 years ago, she would have fit at home with the people of the Middle East. Had I been a different man, her beauty and brain would make a perfect partner.
The longer I stared, the darker the world around us became. Until she broke my gaze and looked shocked at something through the window.
"Did you see that?"
"No, what was it?"
"I-Im not sure..." her face drained of color as the harsh rocking of the storm was interrupted by something else. Suri and I were flung off our chairs onto the floor, her supplies pelting us as they flew through the air. I tried to stand, but my legs were too soft to make it easy.
I struggled to a kneel using the bolted-down desk. Suri gasped and I looked down. The longer I looked, the itchier it became. Once more the world grew darker and I only had enough energy for a simple joke.
"Mr. Morgs was right about those things."
"Gud morning, Capi!" Ennay cheered from the wall-mounted screen.
I struggled to sit myself up. I was in the infirmary, only Ennay was there to greet me. My jacket was gone. All I had on was a white t-shirt and grey shorts.
"Officer Angelhart had your attire taken to be cleaned," Ennay chimed in, "Today is Wednesday, sir, 4:13am. Its the morning after you lost consciousness."
I thanked him and asked him to catch me up on the happenings in the passed half day.
"The reality is unclear, Capi, but Helmsman Archer believes we were attacked by a... a sea monster, sir."
"Archer? Hes no storyteller. Why?" I swung my legs over the bed, "get him down here or tell him im on my way."
Ennay surprised me with his fast response, "No. Sir, We had a breach. Ms. Aziz told the Doctor you had severed and artery during a spell of turbulence. The New Horizon had actually made contact with something what breached the hull. Damage Control responded in 4 minutes and were quick to contain flooding. However, we sustained a second breach."
Before he could continue, I dropped back onto the bed, "Whats the status?"
"On the New Horizon? Operational. A few sections had to be permanently sealed until we are out of this storm."
"And Damage Control?"
Ennay did not respond as quickly as he had been. It felt like an eternity before he told me, "6 casualties," the room fell completely silent. I couldnt even hear my heart beating, "5 fatalities. Sergant Franccigo Blanco is recovering in Infirmary 4C. He is unconscious, but has sustained gruesome wounds. Officer Angelhart declared a S.O.E. to assume your position. Otherwise,..."
"Yes, yes, the prosthetics. I hate that system."
"Well, sir, you are able to disable it."
"What?"
"Its not a very common scenario, but since we are not in International Sea, the law requiring your presence does not necessarily need to be enforced."
I sat back and thought for a second, "Ill discuss it with Dr. Mally. Where are they all?"
"Dr. Mally is in Infirmary 4C with Sergant Blanco. Officer Angelhart is your office filling out an incident report for both your accident and the breaches."
"Thank you, Ennay. Tell Max I am on my way and then let Dr. Mally know I will meet her shortly."
"Of course, sir."
My office was silent except for the fan gently spinning from the ceiling. Across from me was a young man, mid-twenties, with dusty blond hair. His uniform was perfect, he has even removed his hat on the perfect beat upon entering the room.
The appearance and demeanor any ship captain would be beyond proud to accept on his ship. It had just been dumb luck that he had lost both of his eyes to shrapnel sealing off the lower corridors during the state of emergency yesterday.
I poured Mr. Blanco a drink, 2444 Geoff Russel - The Hearty Mans Drink. I needed to finish the incident report, but Id never ask a man to relive what he had without a bit of buzz to his bite.
"So, Sargent Blanco, I-"
"You can call me, Fran, Capi."
"And you can call me Santago, for tonight anyway," I continued my questions. I tried my best to stay shallow and not dive deep into the pain Fran had endures just hours ago.
We talked about the 5 fatalities.
"Did you... see... them die?"
The gauze replacing his eyes stared at me, blankly. His face was uncanny, unhuman. Like the man inside may actually have been a 6th dead body.
"No," he quickly took a drink, "I did hear them, though. They yelled and screamed for me to open the door. I- I couldnt see. I thought the sea water had poisoned me somehow. I kept rubbing and rubbing my eyes hoping to get whatever radioactive stuff out of my head..." He took a breath. He was remarkably calm. Agitated, of course. But calm.
He continued, "I looked through the window on the bulkhead and the last thing I saw was Aleks staring back at me. His eyes were... he was calling out for me, I am sure of it. But something got him and he was sucked out."
"I am so sorry, Fran," I tried to write as quietly as possible to not remind him of the formality, "Do you know what got him?"
He finished his glass. As he set it down, he missed the table. The cup did not shatter, but it had jolted Fran from his memory. He lost his composure.
He started yelling at me about a horrific beast he had seen. How Aleks, Private Aleksander Igorsen, had been encased in blood and black sludge. He swung his hands wildly at the table in a rage, but had only managed to knock over a lamp.
Pity does not begin to describe what I felt watching him. Like a bleeding animal continuing to run from the wolves despite not knowing he was already surrounded. In him, I saw death. I saw anger. I saw fear. I saw what he was feeling imaging the creature that killed his men.
I grappled with him, trying to make my location known and always talking to him. I was not some monster from the unknown blackness set on hunting him and he needed to know that. He continued to struggle until I had completely engulfed his whirlwind into a hug. The screams turned to cries and then to whimpers.
After some time, I dismissed him back to his room and instructed Ennay that he was on suicide watch. Sergant Franccigo Blanco had earned a promotion or a permanent dismissal, whichever he wanted, but I needed him to take time to himself before I reminded him where we are.
The storm was intense, but at least it was consistent. By Katzs reckoning, we are approaching the halfway point of this hurricane. We had entered it 51 hours ago and Katz had said we are another 50 away from clear skies.
Unfortunately for all of us, Katzs theory was not seen through.
It began with our solar panelling being severed from their operating power banks. That was not a major issue, hydropower was our primary source. The issue arose when the New Horizon began to spin.
I had radioed the Helmsman demanding why we are weighing anchor, but the anchor was still resting above water. He said no one dropped the anchor. Something else entirely had us. We rushed to every window, every pane of glass to search for whatever it was that was stopping us.
Ennay spoke out, "Capi, Major Gorlammi has spotted our snag at 129 degrees. Nearest viewpoint is Residential Room L3D, assigned to L-"
I ignored the rest, I needed to see what was in that window. Luckily for me, Lucy Partridge was not home. I burst through the door and, for the first time, I saw a behemoth of a serpent-like creature sticking out of the water. I could not see a head, nor tail. I also had no idea if what I saw was the body or an appendage connected to some inconceivably large beast.
After enough time, I manage to figure out one of the ships heavy guns had pierced the creature and was holding us together. Our best bet was to either rotate the gun and hope its dislodged or to remove the gun entirely.
I relayed this information to Ennay to alerted the Gunner Teams and Damage Control. Yet, none of them would be given the chance. In the distance, silhouetted by sparks of lightning the size of the ship, I saw the head of the creature. It must have been miles away, but the size was unparalleled. Its head leaped from the water and swiveled back towards us. It was like a colossal eel. Flashes of light showed through its skin like veins until it sent a surge into the gun and into the ship.
The lights went out across the boat. The only light was the occasional flash from outside. It was completely dark, but I knew it was still coming for us.
I ran out of the quarters as emergency lights slowly burned. The hallway must have been 100 feet long before Id reach the staircase, but when I was halfway through, my feet left the ground.
I felt weightless for a moment. The lights burned out and all around me was darkness. My heart was incredibly slow or maybe time had slowed. I felt the doorframe to Mrs. Partridges room snap against my elbow. There was no pain. I didnt even feel pain when glass cut across my back as I was hurled through the shattered window.
I crashed into the water, it must have been hundreds of feet below me. I was in shock. I looked around and all I saw was darkness. Then, suddenly, all I saw was light. The eel sent a pulse through its body and for the first time I saw the monster entirely. It surrounded the ship above water, coiled all about the waves, and entangled the entire ocean as deep as I could see.
This is not a colossal eel surviving a hurricane.
This colossal eel is the very being causing the hurricane.
A cosmic terror named Hurricane Georg.
submitted by micahwillarthy to CapiVega [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:40 SnooDoggos3848 University of Toronto First Year Engineering Guide

Hi everyone, current 2T7 ECE here. I thought I would make a quick post on a guide to first year engineering, listing out all the stuff I wish I knew before coming to university. The first semester portion is applicable to all engineering disciplines, the second semester portion would be more useful to ECEs, T1, Indie and Mechs.
First Semester Courses:
MAT186: This was by far the hardest course for me and the entire cohort (C average). Even though I knew all the concepts of the course beforehand (through AP Calc BC and A-levels) this was my worst course. The reason for this was because the course focuses on testing theory (your understanding of the nitty gritty) rather than on computation. My advice for this course would be to make sure you work on written hw with friends (impossible to do alone), and do every single tutorial worksheet (exam questions are exactly like tutorial worksheets). Sean Upall was the course coordinator, and even thought I didnt like his lectures, I think it prepares you the most for the final exam.
MAT188: This was my favourite course even though it probably took up most of my time. This course was completely new to me, which is why I took a lot more time understanding the Pre class essentials. There is a lot of "theory" in this course, which will take a while to learn, so spend a good amount of time understanding and learning the PCEs. One reccomendation to make this process of learning faster is to watch 3blue1browns essence of linear algebra series. Watch the video corresponding to the upcoming weeks concepts before reading the PCEs. Written HW was hard (not as hard as calculus) so do it with friends, the gateway exams are a bit of a joke since you can retake them, and if you practice them enough you realize theres a pattern in the answers. Midterms and Final exams actually test at an appropriate level, so as long you have a strong grasp of the concepts you will be fine. If professor Cameillia is teaching the course go for her lectures, she is by far the best (she is also the course coordinator).
CIV100: This was a very interesting course, it needs a lot of practice of past papers. Literally you'll need to grill through past papers in order to succeed in this course. The final exam is such that there are 5 questions and you have 30 mins per question. Each quesition is quite hard which makes the exam very time pressured, so again PRACTICE. The quizzes in this course are dependant on your lecturer, some profs give easy quizzes whilst others give hard ones, this is out of your control. In my opinion the best lecturer was Professor Merjan, she was probably the best lecturer I've had in my time here at UOFT. The only problem is that she teaches the course in a different timeline than other profs, so you probably cant change lecturers cuz quiz material is different between different profs.
APS110: As an ECE I still dont know why I had to take this course. Overall, it was taught quite well. Scott Ramsay is the best lecturer for this course, although basically everything he says is already in the textbook (which is why I did not attend lectures). The Textbook is more than enough for this course. The Final exam for our batch was quite difficult compared to past year exams, but I think I did well because I practiced quite a few past papers.
APS111: Contraty to public opinion, I thought this was one of the most fun and useful courses in first semester. I had quite a sh*t team, but managed. Make sure you look at the rubrics for each assignment before you start writing. Also the way this course works is that you have to submit individual and group assignments which are essentially these long documents. Because they are doucments, they are marked in a qualitative way as there is no right answer per se. Make sure you bombard the person who is correcting the assignment with questions so that you nail exactly what they are looking for.
Second semester courses
MAT187: This is calculus two and it was much better than Calc one. Professor Camelia was the course coordinator, so just like MAT188 the exams were all at an appropriate level. Written HWs again requires help from friends. I mainly studies for this course using the PCEs, and practiced the tutorial worksheets. Some of my friends used the textbook, but I dont think its really required. The best prof for this course is any lecture seciton containing Camelia.
MIE100: For some reason, our year was probably the first year in a long time where the exams for this course were not insanely difficult. They were all at an appropriate level, apparently because they wanted to increase the number of people going into mech eng ๐Ÿ’€๐Ÿ’€. I found professor Sinclair to be quite good, a lot of people liked Howard Ho as well (trust in Howard Ho). The Wiley plus questions are useful to do to keep up with concepts, but the difficulty of the questions in wiley was way harder than the exam questions, so I wouldnt say its a must to do them ethically.
APS105: Great course. If you have a background in coding, this course will be a breeze at least up until reading week, you'll have to spend more time on it after that. The course is such that 30% of your grade is from labs, so make sure you do them well. the other 70 percent is from exams, which are at an appropriate level once again. Just make sure that you do a lot of past papers as practice. Professor Emara is by far the best, and is amazing if you are new to programming. If you have experience, reading the textbook (Snefru) is more than enough to understand the content.
ECE110: In our batch, while I didnt find the exams difficult, the batch's average after the second midterm was about 51%. After the final exam, they curved the course up quite a bit, I think the average is now a B, also an easy final exam helped out. The first half of this course is more theoretical (electrostatics and electromagnetism) and the second half is circuit analysis. Make sure you do all the Wiley Plus questions for this course, as sometimes they ask the same questions in exams. All the lecturers for this course are pretty bad, but Professor Mojahedis notes are legendary (in my opinion), other people didnt like them because it explained the concepts using proofs. Other profs notes would just state the formula.
APS112: Continuation of APS111. My team was much better this time. Same advice for this course, as APS111. Also make sure you're on top of things because it goes by much quicker in this course as there are way more assignments. Nothing really much to say to be honest, the midterm was a bit screwed up because there are multiple right answers and you have to choose the best one.
Overall for grades, dont worry too much. As long as you get around an 80 for exams and get all the free marks for assignments you'll be on track for at least an 80+ in the course. Remember that university isnt just about studies though, try and indulge into extracurriculars and be social.
Extracurriculars:
Design teams: UOFT has a plehora of design teams for you to choose from. Some design teams are better than others, but the only way that you will actually get deep into the design teams is if you put in the work. Beg leads for tasks, and do them to demonstrate interest. You can also demonstrate interest by doing really menial tasks as well. The point is you need to make sure the leads know you are willing to do tasks, and have showcased that you are worth giving the tasks to. Overtime, depending on the design team you may have to make a choice between grades and the team, thats up to you. Grades dont matter much unless you want to do a masters degree.
Clubs: For these try getting a lead position, a lot of them offer positions in the summer so make sure you follow them on instagram (e.g. engineers without borders, IEEE, etc). Again, you get what you put in to the club.
Intramurals: I loved playing intramurals at UOFT. However, the team that you play for depends on the people you know. For e.g. the SKULE team isnt great for soccer, and if you want to join a better team then you need to know someone on that team. So try networking lol.
Social life:
This was something that I personally struggled with at least initially at UOFT. I gave way too much time to studies, which really isnt worth it. UOFT is way easier than people make it out to be (I'm not being arrogant, and I'm not someone who's gifted in intellegence). As long as you manage your time, you will be fine. Anyway in first year most people would go to frats, and I would reccomend trying it out at least once. Go in the first weeks of school as thats the easiest time, and will also allow you to make new friends. Make sure to know a lot of people, at least at the surface level at the start, as that will make things easier for you in the long run and will also help you find the people you like to hang out with.
Summer after first year:
In my opinion do research if you want work experience, then step up to an internship next summer. If you want to relax thats a good option as well, just try doing some courses and build up some skills for sure.
submitted by SnooDoggos3848 to UofT [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:29 RodeoBoss66 Kevin Costner: No Bull, No Compromises

Kevin Costner: No Bull, No Compromises
https://www.cowboysindians.com/2024/05/kevin-costner-no-bull-no-compromises/
by Joe Leydon
May 14, 2024
At the heart of HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, the prodigiously ambitious and dramatically potent western epic starring and directed by Kevin Costner, there is a scene where the commander of a far-flung 1860s Army post (Danny Huston) explains to a concerned subordinate (Sam Worthington) why, despite the rigors of overland travel by wagon train, and despite the repeated attacks by Indians who are understandably protective of their land, nothing will stop the seemingly endless waves of pioneers bent on settling the West.
โ€œThese people,โ€ the commander says, not entirely sympathetically, โ€œthink that if theyโ€™re tough enough, smart enough, and mean enough, all this will be theirs someday. Thereโ€™s no army of this earth that will stop those wagons coming. Little as they be wanted.โ€
But what will happen when those hearty pioneers see along the sides of the trail the countless graves of those who went before them, and didnโ€™t survive the journey?
The commander shrugs. The newcomers will think theyโ€™re luckier, and that theyโ€™ll survive and thrive. โ€œAnd you know what?โ€ he adds. โ€œSome of them will.โ€
Costner intends HORIZON as ultimately a series of four films โ€” with the first two opening this summer, June 28 and August 16 โ€” that, while focusing on a roughly 15-year period before and after the Civil War, will dramatize, even-handedly and excitingly, how the allure and promise of new lives in a new land fueled an unshakable belief in what has become known, for better or worse, as Manifest Destiny. Some of the characters journey westward to fulfill dreams. Others move along to escape lives that have become nightmares.
And still others โ€” specifically, the Native Americans who inhabit the lands that the settlers covet โ€” must cope with the repeated appearances by these intruders.
Some live. Some die. And, yes, some kill.
Costner earns his top billing in HORIZON with his meticulously understated yet richly detailed performance as Hayes Ellison, the traditionally laconic western protagonist who never goes looking for trouble โ€” goes out of his way to avoid it, actually โ€” yet finds it follows him like a faithful dog. But he is just first among many in an exceptional ensemble cast that also includes (in Part 1) Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt, and Jamie Campbell Bower.
I caught up with Costner in March โ€” by sheer coincidence, the 33rd anniversary of the night he won Oscar gold as Best Director of Best Picture winner DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) โ€” just as he was putting the finishing touches on HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, PART II. Since heโ€™d recently been under so much pressure while making not just one but two epics while avoiding tabloid reports about his possible departure from the popular TV series Yellowstone and the breakup of his 20-year marriage, I figured it might be a great idea to break the ice with a different spin on a predictable question.
Cowboys & Indians: So, itโ€™s been quite a while since you directed this actor, Kevin Costner. Since the terrific 2003 western Open Range, *as a matter of fact. Has he learned anything since you last worked with him?*
Kevin Costner: [Laughs] Itโ€™s really hard to know. I mean, I look at this movie, and the thing that stands out to me is not what Iโ€™ve learned, but maybe what Iโ€™ve brought to bear in getting it shot in 52 days. I shot DANCES in 106, WYATT EARP (1994) was about 115, and we did this in 52 โ€” and itโ€™s actually as big if not bigger than both of those.
C&I: But your lead actor wasnโ€™t one of your problems?
Costner: I am a better actor now than I was. Iโ€™ve consciously tried to become better โ€” but I typically donโ€™t give myself as much time as the other actors. And it takes somebody else to say, โ€œWhy donโ€™t you give yourself another take?โ€ But nobody was indulged on this movie. I didnโ€™t move until I thought I had it. But as Iโ€™ve been in that editorial process, I canโ€™t tell you how many times when Iโ€™ve seen a scene as Iโ€™m editing it, and I think, โ€œOkay, thatโ€™s really good. Letโ€™s see the second take.โ€ And I get this dumb look from my editors and they go, โ€œThatโ€™s all there is, one take.โ€ And so Iโ€™ve got coverage โ€” as you can see, it blends together really well. But we were out there on the razorโ€™s edge trying to get through those days when youโ€™re not doing one scene a day, but doing three.
C&I: I think itโ€™s safe to say this has been a labor of love for you. I mean, you have mentioned HORIZON *to me as a dream project several times over the years. And at one point, you even said, โ€œThis might even be three movies.โ€ Well, youโ€™ve kind of upped the ante a little bit, havenโ€™t you?*
Costner: Well, as Mark Twain said, โ€œHe didnโ€™t exaggerate, he just remembered big.โ€ It went to four โ€” what can I say? Itโ€™s a labor of love. And the reality is, I donโ€™t fall out of love with something I think is good. I just continue to push it. I mean, the wisdom of having the first one, written in 1988, be essentially rejected โ€” nobody saw any value in it โ€” and me turning around and not putting it in the drawer, but instead come out firing and write four more is kind of ... I donโ€™t know. Thatโ€™s probably therapy stuff, right? Somebody might say, โ€œWhy would you do that?โ€ I mean, conventional wisdom was not allowing this movie to be made. But that being said, my feeling about conventional wisdom is: What if everybodyโ€™s wrong?
C&I: Do you think if Yellowstone had not come along and become as popular as it has, you might still be out there beating the bushes trying to find somebody to back HORIZON?
Costner: No, not at all. Because I used my own money this time. Nobody beat the door down for the four. They rejected all four. I put my own money up. I was just going to do it because I realized I needed to work more. I lost a whole year when we didnโ€™t work on Yellowstone. And I realized that couldnโ€™t happen again. And so I just recommitted myself to HORIZON, essentially burned my ships, and I realized it was time to do this for, really, a lot of reasons.
C&I: Such as?
Costner: I just thought it was a really good offering. And thatโ€™s really what Iโ€™m in the business for, to offer up a level of entertainment that gets over my bar, that I think can entertain not only the person watching it opening weekend, but somebody watching it 30 years from now.
C&I: How difficult has it been for you to focus on the task at hand, which is in effect making two movies and finishing them to be released in the same year? I donโ€™t have to tell you, youโ€™ve had your personal life in the tabloids. Youโ€™ve had your professional life in the tabloids. How do you decide not to talk about the divorce, or Yellowstone, *and simply focus on making this scene match that scene?*
Costner: Well, people are going to write what they want to write, and people are responsible for what they say in these things. And I look at whatโ€™s being said in many instances, and I know the truth, but I donโ€™t feel the need to try to set the record straight every time thereโ€™s something going on. I mean, now I can talk about these things because weโ€™re talking about them within the lines with my movie. I donโ€™t try to live in the press outside of making movies. But when people are saying all these things, you donโ€™t really see me say much. I know whatโ€™s true. And you can read between the lines. Like, you never thought Iโ€™m really a person who only wanted to work one week [on Yellowstone]? You donโ€™t believe that was true?
C&I: [Laughs] No, Kevin, I really donโ€™t.
Costner: So, I could tell you exactly how that came about, but thatโ€™s simply not the truth. And Iโ€™m always kind of disappointed that people canโ€™t set the record straight. Thatโ€™s just simply not true. I had given Yellowstone 25 days in November and December [of 2022], 25 days of my shooting, but the scripts never came. I gave them the month of March per a contract, and the scripts didnโ€™t come. So, I really am going to make my movie, because I have 300 people waiting.
So, I said, โ€œLook, I will stop for a week before I start to shoot. And if you want to kill me, or you want to do something elegant for the show, because I love the show โ€” Iโ€™ll give you a week.โ€ So for them to take that gesture, and thatโ€™s all that was โ€” and look, I donโ€™t know any director that would take a week off before he started shooting, but I gave them the most valuable thing I had, which was time, three different times. And to turn around and use that as a statement against me is disappointing. And it was disappointing that nobody on that side would come out and say, โ€œThatโ€™s just simply not true. He offered that as a gesture when we couldnโ€™t figure out how to do things.โ€
C&I: So basically what youโ€™re saying is because of the Yellowstone *production delays ...*
Costner: Letโ€™s get the scripts, letโ€™s go do it. But itโ€™s hard to write that much. And thereโ€™s a tremendous load on [producer and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan], but I have to take care of myself. Make no mistake, I love Yellowstone. I love the people that love it. I wanted to keep making that and making this movie. I didnโ€™t do HORIZON because I wasnโ€™t doing Yellowstone anymore. I did HORIZON because I wanted to do HORIZON while I was doing Yellowstone. Yellowstone had a first position, and in each instance, it was negotiated for. I gave them a preferential spot every time. Every time. So I felt like I needed somebody on that side to speak up and say that version, and they never did. I donโ€™t know why. I donโ€™t know why that was so hard. It just confused the cast and it confused the people who love the show.
C&I: While weโ€™re talking, they still havenโ€™t started filming the final Season 5 episodes of Yellowstone. *Is it reasonable to expect youโ€™ll make some sort of appearance in at least one of them?*
Costner: I donโ€™t know that itโ€™s reasonable. I know Iโ€™m open to it, but I donโ€™t know that itโ€™s reasonable to think that it can happen. I donโ€™t have anything to do with how they are doing things. I like the character. Iโ€™d love to see it go on. Iโ€™d love for it to continue to be inventive.
C&I: Letโ€™s get back to HORIZON. Back when I interviewed you for our cover story on OPEN RANGE (2003), you mentioned that HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962) was one of your all-time favorite westerns, not only because it had spectacle, but a love story as well. How much did HOW THE WEST WAS WON influence you while making HORIZON *?*
Costner: Well, I saw HOW THE WEST WAS WON when I was seven. And I think if it could engage a 7-year-old boy to not look at his watch, and be able to watch the screen on his own, it just informed me that if things are interesting, if theyโ€™re compelling, if the screen picture is continuing to change and when it changes, it changes to something equally interesting, and then it starts to form a weave and suddenly these things that you were willing to watch on an individual basis began to somehow get closer and closer together, and then all of a sudden you see intersections โ€” I love that kind of storytelling. And thatโ€™s what I have tried to do with HORIZON.
C&I: So you finished the first two, is that correct? Or are you still editing the second film?
Costner: Yeah, Iโ€™m looking to finish the montage for the end of [PART] 2. Just the way you saw a montage happen at the end of [PART] 1 โ€” it advances things โ€” this material has to be pulled from [PART] 3. So I was actually writing [PART] 3 when I walked over here to talk with you. I was starting to bend the scene to my will.
C&I: When will you know for certain you can go ahead with [PARTS] 3 and 4?
Costner: Well, you know for certain Iโ€™m going to make them.
C&I: There you go, C&I readers! Youโ€™ve heard it straight from Kevin Costner himself!
Costner: [Laughs] But itโ€™s not an easy task to go out and find that kind of money. Iโ€™ve run out of property I can mortgage. I mean, I see where it says something like I have $20 million into the film, right? Youโ€™ve read that.
C&I: Yes, but ...
Costner: Well, itโ€™s not โ€” itโ€™s $38 million, okay? Cash. Itโ€™s $38 million. And if it has to be, it will be more. You might ask yourself, โ€œA person who writes [PART] 4 when no one liked [PART] 1? What is it going to take for you to get the message?โ€ But to me, itโ€™s like, I will look and see what I own and maybe keep a few things that I wonโ€™t forfeit, but I donโ€™t want to hold onto things so tight that I canโ€™t accomplish the things I want to accomplish.
Maybe the reason I have some nice things that I could risk is because this is the life I chose, and so I can identify the amount of things I need, what my family needs. But some of these other things, for as much as Iโ€™ve worked for them, and hard, Iโ€™m also not going to be a slave and hold onto them and let something else that Iโ€™m trying to do suffer when theyโ€™re sitting right there. You could, biblically speaking, look at them and go, thatโ€™s why they were there.
And Iโ€™m not going to lose it. Iโ€™m going to make it. Iโ€™m going to look at those graves where those people are on the side of the road, and Iโ€™m not going to be with them, Joe. Iโ€™m going to get there.
This cover story appeared in our July 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Richard Foreman, Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
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2024.05.20 02:25 RodeoBoss66 Kevin Costner: No Bull, No Compromises

Kevin Costner: No Bull, No Compromises
https://www.cowboysindians.com/2024/05/kevin-costner-no-bull-no-compromises/
by Joe Leydon
May 14, 2024
At the heart of HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, the prodigiously ambitious and dramatically potent western epic starring and directed by Kevin Costner, there is a scene where the commander of a far-flung 1860s Army post (Danny Huston) explains to a concerned subordinate (Sam Worthington) why, despite the rigors of overland travel by wagon train, and despite the repeated attacks by Indians who are understandably protective of their land, nothing will stop the seemingly endless waves of pioneers bent on settling the West.
โ€œThese people,โ€ the commander says, not entirely sympathetically, โ€œthink that if theyโ€™re tough enough, smart enough, and mean enough, all this will be theirs someday. Thereโ€™s no army of this earth that will stop those wagons coming. Little as they be wanted.โ€
But what will happen when those hearty pioneers see along the sides of the trail the countless graves of those who went before them, and didnโ€™t survive the journey?
The commander shrugs. The newcomers will think theyโ€™re luckier, and that theyโ€™ll survive and thrive. โ€œAnd you know what?โ€ he adds. โ€œSome of them will.โ€
Costner intends HORIZON as ultimately a series of four films โ€” with the first two opening this summer, June 28 and August 16 โ€” that, while focusing on a roughly 15-year period before and after the Civil War, will dramatize, even-handedly and excitingly, how the allure and promise of new lives in a new land fueled an unshakable belief in what has become known, for better or worse, as Manifest Destiny. Some of the characters journey westward to fulfill dreams. Others move along to escape lives that have become nightmares.
And still others โ€” specifically, the Native Americans who inhabit the lands that the settlers covet โ€” must cope with the repeated appearances by these intruders.
Some live. Some die. And, yes, some kill.
Costner earns his top billing in HORIZON with his meticulously understated yet richly detailed performance as Hayes Ellison, the traditionally laconic western protagonist who never goes looking for trouble โ€” goes out of his way to avoid it, actually โ€” yet finds it follows him like a faithful dog. But he is just first among many in an exceptional ensemble cast that also includes (in Part 1) Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt, and Jamie Campbell Bower.
I caught up with Costner in March โ€” by sheer coincidence, the 33rd anniversary of the night he won Oscar gold as Best Director of Best Picture winner DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) โ€” just as he was putting the finishing touches on HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, PART II. Since heโ€™d recently been under so much pressure while making not just one but two epics while avoiding tabloid reports about his possible departure from the popular TV series Yellowstone and the breakup of his 20-year marriage, I figured it might be a great idea to break the ice with a different spin on a predictable question.
Cowboys & Indians: So, itโ€™s been quite a while since you directed this actor, Kevin Costner. Since the terrific 2003 western Open Range, *as a matter of fact. Has he learned anything since you last worked with him?*
Kevin Costner: [Laughs] Itโ€™s really hard to know. I mean, I look at this movie, and the thing that stands out to me is not what Iโ€™ve learned, but maybe what Iโ€™ve brought to bear in getting it shot in 52 days. I shot DANCES in 106, WYATT EARP (1994) was about 115, and we did this in 52 โ€” and itโ€™s actually as big if not bigger than both of those.
C&I: But your lead actor wasnโ€™t one of your problems?
Costner: I am a better actor now than I was. Iโ€™ve consciously tried to become better โ€” but I typically donโ€™t give myself as much time as the other actors. And it takes somebody else to say, โ€œWhy donโ€™t you give yourself another take?โ€ But nobody was indulged on this movie. I didnโ€™t move until I thought I had it. But as Iโ€™ve been in that editorial process, I canโ€™t tell you how many times when Iโ€™ve seen a scene as Iโ€™m editing it, and I think, โ€œOkay, thatโ€™s really good. Letโ€™s see the second take.โ€ And I get this dumb look from my editors and they go, โ€œThatโ€™s all there is, one take.โ€ And so Iโ€™ve got coverage โ€” as you can see, it blends together really well. But we were out there on the razorโ€™s edge trying to get through those days when youโ€™re not doing one scene a day, but doing three.
C&I: I think itโ€™s safe to say this has been a labor of love for you. I mean, you have mentioned HORIZON *to me as a dream project several times over the years. And at one point, you even said, โ€œThis might even be three movies.โ€ Well, youโ€™ve kind of upped the ante a little bit, havenโ€™t you?*
Costner: Well, as Mark Twain said, โ€œHe didnโ€™t exaggerate, he just remembered big.โ€ It went to four โ€” what can I say? Itโ€™s a labor of love. And the reality is, I donโ€™t fall out of love with something I think is good. I just continue to push it. I mean, the wisdom of having the first one, written in 1988, be essentially rejected โ€” nobody saw any value in it โ€” and me turning around and not putting it in the drawer, but instead come out firing and write four more is kind of ... I donโ€™t know. Thatโ€™s probably therapy stuff, right? Somebody might say, โ€œWhy would you do that?โ€ I mean, conventional wisdom was not allowing this movie to be made. But that being said, my feeling about conventional wisdom is: What if everybodyโ€™s wrong?
C&I: Do you think if Yellowstone had not come along and become as popular as it has, you might still be out there beating the bushes trying to find somebody to back HORIZON?
Costner: No, not at all. Because I used my own money this time. Nobody beat the door down for the four. They rejected all four. I put my own money up. I was just going to do it because I realized I needed to work more. I lost a whole year when we didnโ€™t work on Yellowstone. And I realized that couldnโ€™t happen again. And so I just recommitted myself to HORIZON, essentially burned my ships, and I realized it was time to do this for, really, a lot of reasons.
C&I: Such as?
Costner: I just thought it was a really good offering. And thatโ€™s really what Iโ€™m in the business for, to offer up a level of entertainment that gets over my bar, that I think can entertain not only the person watching it opening weekend, but somebody watching it 30 years from now.
C&I: How difficult has it been for you to focus on the task at hand, which is in effect making two movies and finishing them to be released in the same year? I donโ€™t have to tell you, youโ€™ve had your personal life in the tabloids. Youโ€™ve had your professional life in the tabloids. How do you decide not to talk about the divorce, or Yellowstone, *and simply focus on making this scene match that scene?*
Costner: Well, people are going to write what they want to write, and people are responsible for what they say in these things. And I look at whatโ€™s being said in many instances, and I know the truth, but I donโ€™t feel the need to try to set the record straight every time thereโ€™s something going on. I mean, now I can talk about these things because weโ€™re talking about them within the lines with my movie. I donโ€™t try to live in the press outside of making movies. But when people are saying all these things, you donโ€™t really see me say much. I know whatโ€™s true. And you can read between the lines. Like, you never thought Iโ€™m really a person who only wanted to work one week [on Yellowstone]? You donโ€™t believe that was true?
C&I: [Laughs] No, Kevin, I really donโ€™t.
Costner: So, I could tell you exactly how that came about, but thatโ€™s simply not the truth. And Iโ€™m always kind of disappointed that people canโ€™t set the record straight. Thatโ€™s just simply not true. I had given Yellowstone 25 days in November and December [of 2022], 25 days of my shooting, but the scripts never came. I gave them the month of March per a contract, and the scripts didnโ€™t come. So, I really am going to make my movie, because I have 300 people waiting.
So, I said, โ€œLook, I will stop for a week before I start to shoot. And if you want to kill me, or you want to do something elegant for the show, because I love the show โ€” Iโ€™ll give you a week.โ€ So for them to take that gesture, and thatโ€™s all that was โ€” and look, I donโ€™t know any director that would take a week off before he started shooting, but I gave them the most valuable thing I had, which was time, three different times. And to turn around and use that as a statement against me is disappointing. And it was disappointing that nobody on that side would come out and say, โ€œThatโ€™s just simply not true. He offered that as a gesture when we couldnโ€™t figure out how to do things.โ€
C&I: So basically what youโ€™re saying is because of the Yellowstone *production delays ...*
Costner: Letโ€™s get the scripts, letโ€™s go do it. But itโ€™s hard to write that much. And thereโ€™s a tremendous load on [producer and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan], but I have to take care of myself. Make no mistake, I love Yellowstone. I love the people that love it. I wanted to keep making that and making this movie. I didnโ€™t do HORIZON because I wasnโ€™t doing Yellowstone anymore. I did HORIZON because I wanted to do HORIZON while I was doing Yellowstone. Yellowstone had a first position, and in each instance, it was negotiated for. I gave them a preferential spot every time. Every time. So I felt like I needed somebody on that side to speak up and say that version, and they never did. I donโ€™t know why. I donโ€™t know why that was so hard. It just confused the cast and it confused the people who love the show.
C&I: While weโ€™re talking, they still havenโ€™t started filming the final Season 5 episodes of Yellowstone. *Is it reasonable to expect youโ€™ll make some sort of appearance in at least one of them?*
Costner: I donโ€™t know that itโ€™s reasonable. I know Iโ€™m open to it, but I donโ€™t know that itโ€™s reasonable to think that it can happen. I donโ€™t have anything to do with how they are doing things. I like the character. Iโ€™d love to see it go on. Iโ€™d love for it to continue to be inventive.
C&I: Letโ€™s get back to HORIZON. Back when I interviewed you for our cover story on OPEN RANGE (2003), you mentioned that HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962) was one of your all-time favorite westerns, not only because it had spectacle, but a love story as well. How much did HOW THE WEST WAS WON influence you while making HORIZON *?*
Costner: Well, I saw HOW THE WEST WAS WON when I was seven. And I think if it could engage a 7-year-old boy to not look at his watch, and be able to watch the screen on his own, it just informed me that if things are interesting, if theyโ€™re compelling, if the screen picture is continuing to change and when it changes, it changes to something equally interesting, and then it starts to form a weave and suddenly these things that you were willing to watch on an individual basis began to somehow get closer and closer together, and then all of a sudden you see intersections โ€” I love that kind of storytelling. And thatโ€™s what I have tried to do with HORIZON.
C&I: So you finished the first two, is that correct? Or are you still editing the second film?
Costner: Yeah, Iโ€™m looking to finish the montage for the end of [PART] 2. Just the way you saw a montage happen at the end of [PART] 1 โ€” it advances things โ€” this material has to be pulled from [PART] 3. So I was actually writing [PART] 3 when I walked over here to talk with you. I was starting to bend the scene to my will.
C&I: When will you know for certain you can go ahead with [PARTS] 3 and 4?
Costner: Well, you know for certain Iโ€™m going to make them.
C&I: There you go, C&I readers! Youโ€™ve heard it straight from Kevin Costner himself!
Costner: [Laughs] But itโ€™s not an easy task to go out and find that kind of money. Iโ€™ve run out of property I can mortgage. I mean, I see where it says something like I have $20 million into the film, right? Youโ€™ve read that.
C&I: Yes, but ...
Costner: Well, itโ€™s not โ€” itโ€™s $38 million, okay? Cash. Itโ€™s $38 million. And if it has to be, it will be more. You might ask yourself, โ€œA person who writes [PART] 4 when no one liked [PART] 1? What is it going to take for you to get the message?โ€ But to me, itโ€™s like, I will look and see what I own and maybe keep a few things that I wonโ€™t forfeit, but I donโ€™t want to hold onto things so tight that I canโ€™t accomplish the things I want to accomplish.
Maybe the reason I have some nice things that I could risk is because this is the life I chose, and so I can identify the amount of things I need, what my family needs. But some of these other things, for as much as Iโ€™ve worked for them, and hard, Iโ€™m also not going to be a slave and hold onto them and let something else that Iโ€™m trying to do suffer when theyโ€™re sitting right there. You could, biblically speaking, look at them and go, thatโ€™s why they were there.
And Iโ€™m not going to lose it. Iโ€™m going to make it. Iโ€™m going to look at those graves where those people are on the side of the road, and Iโ€™m not going to be with them, Joe. Iโ€™m going to get there.
This cover story appeared in our July 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Richard Foreman, Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
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2024.05.20 02:23 NotSoSlimShady1001 The Spirit of a Predator - Chapter 25: An Open Door

[ First / Previous ]
Memory Transcription Subject: Hileen, Krakotl Fugitive Recovery Agent
Date [standardized human time]: November 28th, 2136
It'd been a while since I sat in Marlig's office for a talk face-to-face. Given the agency's secluded location at the edge of the downtown region, it was a chore to drop by when it wasn't for business, but I'd deemed the matter at hand to be worth my time.
I passed by Nampi at her desk on my way to the door and she gave me a coy glare as I carried on. Trying to ignore her risible ear waggle, I turned the corner to the door with my bossโ€™s name painted on the glass panel where I could hear the frantic crumpling of paper.
Quietly, I entered Marlig's office without prompt as I knew he hated to be spooked by knocking. My mentor was surprisingly spry for a bird at his age, sorting through papers with one wing and an eye while using his talons with the other to set away the papers he had splayed out.
โ€œHileen!โ€ he chirped. โ€œGlad you could make it in today. I was just finishing up my paperwork. Take a seat.โ€
It was always nice to hear him drop the professional motif for a more grandfatherly attitude when speaking in person. I did as he suggested and took a seat while he grumbled to himself over the sorting. My eye caught a few of the old contracts he was rifling through and saw that some dated back to his days as an agent.
Eventually, he left some sitting out as he sequestered the rest back into their files, sorted by a dichotomy that only he and Nampi could comprehend fully. He motioned with a wing for me to peruse and I turned the first one to face me to find it was my first contract, signed by me in a sloppy fashion. โ€œThis takes me back a couple of years.โ€
โ€œSlick bastard thought he could get away on a forklift but you showed him! Certainly more exciting than my first day!โ€
โ€œMm-hmm. And it was when I nearly got impaled that you had the idea to commission all of us utility vests.โ€
He chuckled, โ€œI really shouldโ€™ve done so sooner. Cuts and scratches were already a risk, but a forklift was a new one!โ€
I flipped through the pages of each report, finding that Marlig's notes were filled with praises of my work. There were highs and lows, but I was flattered to find that the grizzled krakotl held my performance in such high regard.
โ€œFlawless interception!โ€ read one footnote about me catching a runner. โ€œCouldn't have done it better myself!โ€
Marlig waited patiently as I browsed quickly through each page, realizing more and more how the notes also marked improvements in my work. How I found it easier to talk down a rowdy client, or apprehend them in the case that they were beyond helping on my part. Flowery language plastered most pages with him fawning over my work as a doting father would to his prodigal child.
The trend took a sharp turn as the notes became fewer and more critical the closer the dates reached to the present. I brushed the others aside with a wing to peruse the final paper. โ€œAnd thisโ€ฆโ€
โ€œIs Tac. Your latest contract. The most recent in a line of declining performance since the interview. This has become a pattern, Hileen, and its consequences are beginning to reach beyond yourself. Paji and Vesek resigned recently for personal reasons, which leaves us even less hands on deck than before. That's four people to cover the entire municipal region, and maybe even beyond, should needs arise. Three, if we include this little probation I have you on.โ€
โ€œWhat was I supposed to do? Marlig, these โ€˜jobsโ€™ you've got us working on overstep the contracts we were signed on with. Our job is to make sure people obey their court-mandated duties, not drag them off to the facilities ourselves!โ€
โ€œ... So the trip we took to the facilities did bother you.โ€
A sigh clicked in my throat as he reminded me. โ€œIs that what happens to the people we take in, Marlig? Is that what would've happened to your wife?โ€
His feathers ruffled.
โ€œThat's what happens to those who are too dangerous to the general public to be left roaming free. Not everyone we deal with winds up there, but everyone can be subject to it. Miskela sued for her exoneration and proved in court that she was not diseased. I brought you there to show you how it helps the people, but I see now that it was a mistake. I understand why you were so perturbed, really, but it's how things have been for centuries. It's how we've protected ourselves from the dangers out there.โ€
โ€œYou were willing to let Barsul be interned there, too.โ€
Marlig flinched and sighed as he swept the papers towards himself once I'd signaled I was done. He turned one eye to me while he sorted them.
โ€œThere's no room for favoritism, girl. I negotiated for him to be allowed to walk free, and look where that got me. That boy - your neighbor - suffered the consequences of my nepotism. So too would the girl, had nobody intervened.โ€
โ€œLike Richard.โ€
โ€œThe human, yes. Or you. Or the police. Where does this sudden obsession with humans come from, anyway? I get notifications of you talking about the acceptance of them all the time on forums.โ€
โ€œDoes it even need explaining?โ€
โ€œWell, I guess not, no, but it's certainly an about-face from the way you used to talk about them with me beforehand.โ€
โ€œPeople can change, for better or worse. Which one I fall under remains to be seen.โ€
Marlig stroked at the plumage on his neck as he finished his sorting. โ€œI hope it's the former, for your sake. Was there any reason you came to talk, or were you just checking that I hadn't gone senile?โ€
โ€œWell, I was hoping to borrow your secretary for the evening.โ€
He perked up while his eyes narrowed and he laced his fingers together with curiosity. โ€œYouโ€ฆ want to spend an evening with Nampi?โ€
โ€œIt's not what you're insinuating, but yes.โ€
โ€œI was insinuating nothing,โ€ he warbled coyly. โ€œGo ahead and take her, and make sure to split the bill at dinner.โ€
โ€œPain-in-the-ass geezer. I'll keep in touch if your friend causes any more trouble.โ€
โ€œKeep in touch regardless. Miskela and I get lonely in our old age,โ€ he called back. โ€œTake care.โ€
I stepped out into the hallway and turned toward the desk where I could hear the secretary's claws tapping furtively at her keyboard. Nampi sat silently with her ears and tail in a relaxed position that implied a bored demeanor. There was barely any response as I stood before her, waiting politely for her acknowledgment that never came.
Hesitantly, I cleared my throat.
An ear raised in acknowledgement, but her focus remained on the screen of her computer. โ€œMhm?โ€
โ€œDo youโ€ฆ?โ€
Her ear rotated toward me, though she still maintained a passive attitude as she continued to glare mindlessly at the monitor.
โ€œAre you free this evening?โ€
โ€œWell, I'm quite booked, I believe. Why do you ask?โ€
I was surprised at her curt, dry tone. She hadn't spoken with me like this since we first got to know one another.
โ€œWell,โ€ I started. โ€œI realized something. Every time we went out, whether it was clubbing, or dinner, or even walking around the parks, you always footed the bill. And soโ€ฆโ€
Slowly, her other ear perked up and I saw her keystrokes slow down as she listened in.
โ€œI wanted to return the favor?โ€
Her lips smacked as she opened her mouth, though paused before she spoke. โ€œHow could you possibly do that?โ€
โ€œWith a little gesture of friendship.โ€
Nampi's horizontal pupil turned up toward me and her tail twitched.
I continued, โ€œSo that belt you're wearing? It's the same belt you've worn since we first met. And I know you're the pragmatic type who'd never spend a credit more than she needs to, except for all the times you do"- her ears twitched in indignance -"I wanted to see about getting you a little somethingโ€ฆ extra?โ€
Her paws raised from the keyboard and she leaned in, resting her snout on her palms. โ€œGo on.โ€
The bubbly venlil's tail sold out her collected facade as it twitched with anticipation. She was cornered and she didn't even know it yet.
โ€œWell, I found just the place on the other side of town where we can start. It's a place almost as rich and indulgent as yourself.โ€
โ€œThe Platinum Paw? I mean3โ€
Her ears folded back in embarrassment as she cracked. She wasn't cut out for acting anyway.
โ€œSo that's what it's called! Jeez, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was called. Now what do you say? We go over there and find you something niceโ€”โ€
I hadnโ€™t even finished my thought before Nampi had grabbed her bag and was out the door, giving me a playful tail flick that said come and get me.

The place I suggested was in a shopping center on the opposite side of town, though easily accessible because of its proximity to the transport rails. Nampi had insisted on grabbing something to eat beforehand and so now gleefully bit into a bundle of stalks that had been โ€œgrilledโ€ as explained from the food truck we'd stopped at.
Her tail flicked back and forth with her usual enthusiasm as we entered the massive complex of stores. The roofless plan allowed the natural, orange sun to flood the upper levels while artificial lighting illuminated the ground level wherever the light couldn't reach.
The place was built in the last decade by the previous City Magister in a bid for popularity, though ultimately for naught as he would lose the vote following a scandal involving an iftali priestess and a carved bar of soap. I had to say that despite being sick in the head, he sure had a great sense of decor.
Nampi snacked away, joining me in admiring the scenery as we continued to the place Iโ€™d planned out for us. Aimless chatter all melded together into a single, thrumming murmur as pedestrians navigated the many levels and stores offered in the place.
A troupe of children passed by us, held in a chain of tails and arms as they were escorted by a pair of venlil who I assumed were students and teachers on a school trip. I caught a whiff of a sweet, aromatic breeze and found it to come from a perfume shop on the same level as us; naturally, venlil were not to be found inside.
We passed a fountain where a couple sat on the edge, their tails twined together as they giggled and flirted. I turned and caught Nampi watching them as well, though she awkwardly returned to sucking the remains of her meal from her claws when we made eye contact. Her ears lifted when I raised a wing to signal to the store we were going to stop at first.
โ€œPlatinum Paw, The Greatest Fashion Emporium For Everyone!โ€
The title alone was painfully cliche, taken to the tenth power by the brightly lit store taking up three department slots. Despite the flashy exterior, though, it was the best place to shop for belts, brooches, and bracelets alike. Customers who looked like they earned my yearly salary in a week browsed the higher end brands while I brought my friend to the section I wanted to show her.
Her ears were held up as we stood together next to a shelf chock full of fashionable bags and bandoliers of every variety.
โ€œPick one,โ€ I told her.
Nampi's ears shot to a straight pose in surprise, โ€œAny?โ€
โ€œWithin reason. I've got a few extra credits to blow and I know nobody better to spend it on.โ€
With an inviting headtilt, I let Nampi peruse the shelves at her leisure. Her lips pursed together and her tail flicked with glee as she fingered at every piece that caught her eye. I chuckled at her outburst of enthusiasm while turning to find my own items to gloss over.
A breeze from outside nipped at my beak while I considered what Iโ€™d like to purchase. The place dripped with an atmosphere of faux hospitality, from the bright blue-stained floorboards to the radio prattling off advertisements in a sickeningly sweet tone to the faint, fruity aroma of scented cleaner. It was oppressive as only a fissan-owned company could be to the senses.
What I wouldnโ€™t pay to see how a human would fare in such an environment.
I knew they were social creatures at least, but I had no doubt that the predatory senses of a human, so honed to hunting, would get overstimulated in this center of gaudy indulgence. Knowing I was something of a predator myself made me sympathize provided that even I had to squint to keep the pale lights inside from searing my eyes. I could only imagine how the arboreal eyes of a Terran would fare. I was so lost in thought imagining how lost the Terrans would be that I could almost ignore the obnoxious giggling and metallic rattling coming from behind me.
Risking a peek at the source, into my sight came a pair of venlil, one a male carrying a pair of bags as well as a couple more strapped to his belt. The bored expression in his eyes was not one of a man who was in high spirits. The other venlil was a woman who was the source of the noise.
Her mottled gray pelt was accented by a tasteful belt design, free of almost any practical functions but not flashy or excessive in garnishment either. At least, thatโ€™s what I would say, were it not for the braid of beads that dangled on the belt, jingling with each bounce of the lively womanโ€™s stride. It was clear that such a gaudy accessory was intended to draw attention to her, though why was a mystery. Certainly, the shiny braids seemed designed as decoration first and practical second.
She turned about and I faced back to my browsing before she could catch me staring. Nampi was nowhere in sight, though I figured she was somewhere behind the shelf, sifting through every accessory on the section I'd suggested.
Clink.
Something pelted to my immediate right. I tilted my head to spot a tree nut shell clattering to the floor. Without being able to guess where it came from, I had to wonder what could've launched it over this way. Even with my keen eyesight, nobody in the crowd seemed to be a suspect.
Clink.
Another shell pelted my vicinity, ricocheting off of the floor and hitting the shelf I was standing next to. I ruffled my feathers in frustration - clearly, someone was trying to get my attention, though I couldn't make out who it was. Out of the corner of my vision, the woman from before eyed me curiously as I looked about, though I wasn't interested in engaging with her.
Thwack.
One more shell came flying and, unfortunately, the aim on this one was true, nailing me on the beak. Irritated, I stormed out of the store to find the source of the instigator. I scanned over the bodies to find anyone who could've been responsible for this indignity, eventually concluding that it came from the dining area across the walkway.
Whoever was responsible was in for an earful and I was already structuring which of the offender's family members would be acceptable as fodder for stray words. As I approached, I found the tables were mostly empty save for one, which made my heart begin to drop as I met eyes with the only occupant. Suddenly, I was much less inclined to hurl insults.
โ€œOh, hi there!โ€ Qitel called out in a sickly sweet tone. โ€œCome, take a seat! We have much to discuss!โ€
The Exterminator clutched a bag of tree nuts in his claws, a pile of discarded shells already gathered on the table next to him. He grabbed another as I approached, effortlessly prying the shell in half between two claws and tossed the contents into his mouth. โ€œGood protein, these,โ€ he commented as I sat down.
โ€œMust be for that good arm you've got there,โ€ I mumbled. I caught sight of a couple of bags beneath his chair, seemingly from one of the tech stores contained within the center.
โ€œBah, it's guesswork. So how are you? I haven't heard from you since we worked together!โ€
โ€œI was just spending time with a friend, shopping and enjoying my time off.โ€
โ€œYour time off? Oh, am I interrupting something?โ€
His snide tone irked me, though now wasnโ€™t the time for interjections. โ€œYou are, Qitel,โ€ I replied with no shortage of vitriol in my tone. โ€œBut I see no harm in chatting for a bit.โ€
โ€œGood, because I have some merchandiseโ€- he reached into his belt pocket and deposited a couple of items onto the table -โ€œand youโ€™re just the person to look into it, human sympathizer.โ€
I drew a terse breath in shock, but my worries were quelled when I considered that if Qitel had the power to do anything about it, he wouldโ€™ve done so instead of approaching me so discreetly. A glance down at the item on the table showed that he was presenting what looked to be a tracker as well as a personal drive. โ€œFound in the garbage,โ€ he told me.
โ€œThe guild resorts to dumpster diving when they already have such a bloated budget now?โ€
โ€œNo, featherbrain, I have decided to keep this for myself. These items were found together, sealed in a plastic pouch, and placed in a garbage bin. The city has bans against electronics being placed into public bins, and so I was curious why this wound up in there. Managed to get my coworker, a techie, to crack it open andโ€ฆโ€
Qitel reached into his belt again, glowering at me with the same condescending gaze heโ€™d given me when I first saw his face. He seemed to revel in digging for the item as slowly as possible to waste my time. Finally, he found whatever he was looking for and revealed it as a printed piece of paper, folded into eighths. The snobby yotul threw the unfurled paper on the table and rolled it toward me.
I craned my neck to look at the parchment, though I was immediately perplexed by the text on it; it appeared to be some sort of form, going by the boxes with words on the inside, followed by blank lines. โ€œFound on the drive, here,โ€ Qitel told me, jabbing a claw to the storage. โ€œTranslator shows it as Terran writing.โ€
Drawing my holopad from my satchel, I held it over the paper with the translator to get an understanding. Surely enough, the language on it came up positive as a variant of Terran writing and I was affirmed in it being a form of some sort based on the wording of the text. The boxes seemed like an odd sort of job application, asking for the typical name, contacts, and prior work experiences, but quickly took a strange turn as it began asking for where their home on Earth was prior to arrival, what family they had on Venlil Prime if any, and where they worked, implying that they were seeking individuals who were already employed.
I knew little about human employment methods, but I didnโ€™t imagine that sourcing individuals from other jobs was the most efficient way to gain a workforce. Terran service industries already dotted the planet while many humans also found work in local environments. So what was the angle that the creator of this application was going for?
Most concerningly was that the paper had no insignia, identifying marks, or noted address to return the form to. โ€œAnd where did you find it again?โ€
โ€œIn the garbage, alongside this intact tracker that was activated at the time of recovery. Yโ€™know, when I was dumpster diving. Text on the document showed it was addressed to one โ€˜Choctaw Nexusโ€™.โ€
โ€œA pseudonym of some sort?โ€
โ€œClearly. Short sorting through the archives shows the first name traces back to the group out east - perhaps you've heard about them. How the name and the items we have here are connected is beyond my understanding, but-โ€
โ€œWell, this has been an absolutely riveting discussion about your collection of trash, Qitel,โ€ I told him as I stood up to leave. โ€œBut this really sounds like an issue to be resolved by your fellow guildsmen.โ€
The sound of another shell splitting rang out as I turned away.
โ€œI'm not through talking with you, predator.โ€
The sting as a piece nailed me in the back of the head prompted me to whirl back around, sticking my beak in the insolent yotul's snout. โ€œPerhaps you've forgotten, little man,โ€ I cooed in an equally bittersweet tone to the one he gave me before. โ€œThe krakotl never had a problem with settling issues the old-fashioned way before the interview. Try me and find out why I'm in the line of work I am.โ€
โ€œOh, we wouldn't want that in such a"- he waved his paw to a group of passersby who had stopped to gawk at my display -โ€public forum. Please, contain yourself.โ€
I had to force the feathers on my back to settle and I raised my head away from him. โ€œWhat else is it you wanted, then?โ€
โ€œWell, I'd appreciate if you took this merchandise off my paws,โ€ he told me as he brushed the electronics and printout toward me.
โ€œWhy would I do that?โ€
โ€œBecause you're closer to the humans than I'd ever care to be, and may be able to find out who this Choctaw Nexus is. Something about the package just feelsโ€ฆ off. And I know when to trust my feelings. Besides, we both know that you know where Tac is, don't we?โ€
โ€œI don't-โ€
โ€œWe have videographic evidence that you conspired with a human - of the aforementioned squatters, no less - and let the kid escape. You're not as sneaky as you think, and if we find this โ€˜Choctaw Nexusโ€™ turns out to be a bad actor that can be traced back to them - and by extension, you - well, thereโ€™d be no talking down my boss from having you dealt with. By helping me find out who this is, you may yet be able to clear your name of any wrongdoing.โ€
I clenched my beak tightly to maintain a straight face. Qitel stood up with a flourish and discarded the bag he was carrying in a bin.
โ€œSee, the krakotl were never special for using threats and bullying to get results. It's because you were good at killing predators,โ€ he jeered. โ€œNow, if you don't mind, this primitive has appointments to attend toโ€ฆ old lady who got trampled courtesy of the humans and all. You stay out of trouble, Hileen, and stay in touch.โ€
The self-assured marsupial melded into the crowd in a matter of seconds, leaving me with a table containing dumpster trophies and a pile of shells. Reluctantly, I swept the shells into my wing and dumped them into the bin before gathering the other two items he'd left me and stuffing them into my bag. I'd been gone from Nampi long enough and she would notice my absence before long.
Crossing the walkway again, I could spot from where I stood that Nampi was indeed still in the Platinum Paw. I approached, and soon I found that while she didn't seem to have noticed me stepping away, she was definitely in a soured mood based on the sagging of her ears and tail. With my talons clacking on the floorboards, I hustled to her side and her mood chippered up ever so slightly as she heard me approach.
I chimed in, โ€œFind anything?โ€
โ€œEverything. I want everything, Red, and I can't decide on what I want. They all just look so great!โ€
From behind, a voice called out, โ€œNampi!โ€
We both jumped at the exclamation and turned about to spot the venlil lady I'd seen before spring from behind the shelf. The man poked his head from behind the shelf too, though less enthusiastically and with yet another bag in his clutches. My friend's eyes widened in surprise with her tail and ears perking up in kind. With a light in her eyes, she exclaimed, โ€œNalek!โ€
The two embraced with shrill squeals and laughter as Nalek's accompaniment and I traded awkward glances.
โ€œIt's been too long!โ€
โ€œYou never stayed in contact!โ€
The women exchanged giddy greetings and the pompous stranger turned to me, leering over me as though she was sizing me up.
โ€œWho's your friend here?โ€
โ€œOh she's actually my-...โ€
Nampi paused for a moment, looking back to me.
โ€œYeah, she's a friend.โ€
โ€œA friend,โ€ Nalek repeated while her eyes flicked between Nampi and I. โ€œRight.โ€
Somehow, I get the impression that that was judgemental.
โ€œI'm Hileen, by the way,โ€ I chirped, โ€œif names are to be exchanged.โ€
โ€œHileen, that's a lovely name! And such plumage to match, it's a wonder you aren't swarmed by suitors!โ€
Internally, I groaned at the notion. The idea of being approached by someone to state their interest in me made me queasy, to say the least. Thankfully, I never had that issue growing up as most of the other drakes in school were too busy chasing girls who didn't have a lousy pigmentation mutation such as myself.
โ€œI'm flattered,โ€ I told Nalek before turning to the man whose name had yet to be introduced. โ€œMay we get your name?โ€
โ€œSask.โ€
His response was succinct and tonally flat, though there was a brief silence as I expected him to elaborate. Nalek's beads jingled as she lashed him on the calf with her tail.
โ€œI'm Sask, Nalek's fiancรฉe,โ€ he added, throwing her a look to see if she was satisfied.
Nampi gasped with her paws over her snout. โ€œFiancรฉe! Nalek, you're getting married and you never even told me!โ€
โ€œWell, I felt a little guilty since it technically broke our pact we made when we were pups. You remember that?โ€
โ€œOf course! Why wouldnโ€™t I? โ€˜Let she who bonds through betrothal first be cast out unto the world for all to admonish her!โ€™โ€
Sask and I both gave inquisitive expressions. โ€œYou two spoke like that as pups?โ€ Sask asked.
โ€œWell, I'm paraphrasing,โ€ Nampi admitted with a playful ear waggle. โ€œBut you get the gist.โ€
โ€œIndeed, they do, sweet Nampi. Now, may I ask what you're doing bringing your avian friend here into this store on this fine claw?โ€
โ€œOh, no no, she's the one treating me! Isn't that right, Red?โ€
I saw her tail twitch and was sure it took restraint not to tickle my neck with it as we stood before her old friend.
โ€œShe's been a good friend,โ€ I explained. โ€œSo I wanted to reverse the roles for once and treat her to something myself.โ€
Nampi skipped over to me and wrapped her arm around me, glancing back to her old friend. โ€œSee? We'd all be so lucky to have aโ€ฆ friend like her.โ€
โ€œSo I've witnessed. But perhaps you're a bit stuck, as I've seen you prancing up and down these aisles for a while, no? Maybe you don't know what you want?โ€
โ€œNalek, you know I've never been good about making my mind up.โ€
โ€œSome things never change, you ditz. Tell you what: you and Sask go find us a seat and we can catch up all we'd like when we're not taking up aisle space, yes? So shoo! I'll help Hileen here pick one out for you!โ€
With a bored grunt, Sask made off with the goods he had strapped to himself, followed by Nampi who gave me one more playful tail flick before dashing off into the crowd. I looked back to the mottled snout of Nalek who watched her friend wander off with a wistful glance.
โ€œShe was my first, you know.โ€
โ€œYour what now.โ€
โ€œLove. Way back when we were growing from pups into young adults back in private education, we explored much together. We saw each other through a lot, including the less savory parts of finding a mate. When Nampi realized it wasn't the boys she was into, she turned to me, and I offered my hand as her stalwart companionโ€ฆ to a point.โ€
โ€œYou weren't interested in her the same way?โ€
โ€œI'd grown up seeing her as a sister of sorts, so ultimately, when we split it off, we stayed close as friends and she never seemed to be bothered by it. She struggled to find others in school who had the same interests as herself, but she never fussed about it.โ€
Nalek's claws browsed over a set of pouched bandoliers made with intricate embroidering. โ€œHave you twoโ€ฆ spent the night together? Alone?โ€
Spiritually, I reeled from the inquiry. The whiplash from that question was equitable to being smacked by a human. โ€œWha- why? How's that pertinent to the subject at hand?โ€
โ€œThat sounds like a โ€˜yesโ€™ to me,โ€ she purred with a smug glance my way.
I didn't need to begin to list the different ways such a question was violating to our privacy, and yet this woman was treating it like a game.
โ€œNot really your concern, ma'am.โ€
Nalek chuckled as she picked out one of the bandoliers and inspected it with her claws. โ€œI'd like to think that she and I still have that old connection, despite everything. And to that end, I know that she's no slag and doesn't trust easy. To see her be so vulnerable around you and to talk so highly of someone who's clearly below her income level as a predatorโ€ฆโ€
She stretched the bandolier out to appreciate the design in its entirety.
โ€œWell, that's something special. Here"- she foisted the accessory into my wings as I stood gobsmacked -"this just screams her name.โ€
โ€œThis is, like, double my budget.โ€
โ€œLove don't come cheap, darling. You wanna see good things happen, sometimes you've gotta step out of your comfort zone and grasp for it!โ€
โ€œI'm being lectured by a rich woman on finances.โ€
โ€œIt's a philosophy that goes beyond money, โ€˜Red.โ€™ The humans have a saying, in their horrendously predatory nomenclature, that contains a kernel of truth: โ€˜you miss every shot you don't takeโ€™.โ€
Yep, that's definitely a human phrase.
Nalek's steely braid rattled with every flick of the tail as we proceeded through the checkout.
โ€œYou want things to change between you and her?โ€ she continued. โ€œDon't just wait for it to happen.โ€
She let the conversation rest there as we finished the purchase, possibly to let me recuperate mentally from the damage done to my account. Outside, we found our respective partners sitting at a table with Sask looking up in boredom as Nampi chatted away, though she immediately shut up and turned to me with excited flicks of her tail as she saw what I was carrying.
I held it toward her and she happily shot to her feet, effortlessly removing the tags with her claws and clipping it to her belt. Nalek clapped and waggled her tail as the giddy lady did a whirl about to let us admire the accessory. While I'd have preferred one with pockets to give it a more practical use, I decided to let Nalek have the victory as our mutual friend clearly enjoyed it.
The rest of the paw was a blur as the two friends chatted without end until Sask eventually reminded his betrothed that they had a schedule to attend to. Though Nalek offered to call us a taxi home as a gesture of kindness, I saw through her ruse to determine that she was trying to pull a fast one on me - the clever ear flick she gave as we boarded the automated vehicle sold it for me.
We sat in the seats as the vehicle took the express ride home.
Nampi cleared her throat before she spoke, โ€œThank you for taking some time to spend with me, I know you've had a lot less free time as of late.โ€
โ€œIt's a prison of my own design, if I must be honest. A feedback loop of working a job that doesn't guarantee a paycheck to pay for rent that keeps going up, and thus needing to work more.โ€
The venlil giggled and chided me, โ€œYou really should've stayed in university.โ€
โ€œThere's a lotta 'should havesโ€™ that've led me to this point. No use wondering what could have been.โ€
โ€œThere's always a use for wondering what could have been, Hileen.โ€
She wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
โ€œEvery decision I make, I always wonder what I could've done differently that it'd have turned out better,โ€ she explained as she waved her free paw to the sky. โ€œIt's how you grow as a person, Red.โ€
Her silky pelt felt heavenly in contrast to the chilly air from outside, making it hard to let her words sink in.
โ€œYou rich types seem chock full of philosophy. I wonder if I'll become a brooding orator when I get some cash to my name.โ€
The cab filled with laughter as we veered around the final corner to my neighborhood, as it was the closest stop. The door popped open accompanied by a chime from the drone, signaling for me to depart.
But before my talons could even hit the pavement, I felt Nampi's scrawny arms wrap around my waist and she let out a pitiful mewl again.
โ€œYou don't need to get off here,โ€ she told me with a pouty expression. โ€œWe can spend the rest of the paw at my place.โ€
โ€œI'd love it, but I need to water my plants and get the month's bills sorted before they're due. Again.โ€
One claw at a time, I plucked her paws from around my waist and the childish venlil conceded, giving me another ear waggle as I departed. โ€œI'll see you tomorrow?โ€ I asked her.
โ€œIf you still have eyes by then, then you can bet your ass!โ€
โ€œI still don't gamble.โ€
โ€œYou'll come around to it eventually.โ€
I shut the door to the taxi and watched as it carted away the one venlil who I ever truly felt on the same wavelength as. Fiddling with the lock felt like more of a chore than usual at this time as I felt a little voice tugging at the back of my head.
โ€œYou miss every shot you don't take.โ€
The lock felt jammed as I began to jiggle it more vigorously with the electric key. Either the RFID or NFC readers were messed up, as the lock refused to accept my key. I looked up and down the street, though Nampi was now long gone for me to rescind my earlier rejection.
โ€œEvery decision I make, I wonder what I could've done differently.โ€
The door rattled as I grew more and more infuriated with the lock. Qitel's smug expression as he threatened me so boldly in public played back in my head, and I wondered what would've happened had I decided to go through with insulting his mother. Better yet, I wondered what could've been had I not backed down in the face of his unflinching confidence.
Bzzt. The lock rejected my key again.
โ€œRaagh! You fucking useless hunk of junk!โ€
I squawked in anger and kicked against the door, careless of the consequences of having Markol back down here to admonish another of his tenants for causing a ruckus. The walls were surprisingly sturdy for how ineffective the venlil architecture looked on the surface and I reeled back in pain as my leg throbbed.
Click.
I looked to my left to see that it wasn't my door that came open, but that of the twins. The door cracked open ever so slightly, no doubt nudged by the force of my tirade and I sighed. Nobody was expected to be home at this time, with Vili being away and Luka leaving early to get a head start.
Luka had been given a stern talking-to by the landlord for allowing one of those cats into his apartment through neglect, and I was disappointed that he seemed to have not learned his lesson this time. In fact, it seemed he hadn't even thought to lock the door this time.
I took it upon myself to shut the door for him before turning back to my own apartment door. Grasping the key with one talon, I turned it ever so gently, though the lock still refused to give in.
With a bit more force, the torsion applied to the key felt as though it should've snapped it by now. Markol sure didn't waste any expense for the security for this place, doubtlessly as a result of his history in electronic security, but I wished now that he had provided a way in that didn't rely on privately sourced locks.
Considering my options as I stood trapped outside, I realized that I had never gotten around to paying for a new lock for Tadi. I'd considered contacting her to inform her that Tac had made it out of town safely, but that'd involve also telling her that her son was now in the care of humans, as if that was a better outcome to her.
Stepping out front, I realized that there was one more option I hadn't considered: my window. I usually forgot to lock it after I was through letting air circulate and I was silently grateful to myself for this absentmindedness now more than ever. Sticking a foot on the threshold, I lifted myself in a way that'd allow me to have leverage to force the window open.
The window made me fight for every inch, but I felt a strange satisfaction as it slowly opened up into an entrance that I could squeeze my way through. I let out a sigh as my talons clicked against the cool floor and slid the window shut.
I laid my satchel on the couch and turned back to the door, ready to unleash my fury on the disobedient object. But as I reached for the lock to manually open the door, I noted that the lights on the RFID interface both flashed at once, blinking erratically. Red and green flickered without rhyme or reason, indicating that it was both active and inactive.
As pretty as the colors were, I now knew that Markol's locks were not as reliable as he had touted them about: typically, such would not occur unless the device was damaged deliberately, and yet nothing indicated that I'd had uninvited guests. One could pray that those cats didn't secretly know how to cobble together an ECM jammer, but my personal wager was on faulty equipment.
Settling in, I browsed my favorite soaps on the television. For what was intended to be a day of relaxation and show of affection for a friend, I found myself rather wound up over all the things that added up. Couples threw around flowery words and swooned over one another on screen as I felt the tension diffuse. My holopad rang and I turned it over to spot that Nampi was informing me that she'd arrived home safely.
>>> Feels empty here, all alone.
She made sure to drive the point home with a sticker of a venlil making a pouty expression.
Next time, I thought to myself, I'll get it right for you, Nampi.
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2024.05.20 02:15 sbpotdbot Pick of the Day - 5/20/24 (Monday)

Post ONE pick. No side picks in comments. You can provide a link to your other picks in the other daily threads. No parlays/teasers, please use the parlay/teaser thread for those. Must be between -200 and +200 (1.5 and 3.0) Bet size should be between 1 and 5 units. No "100 unit locks" Provide a write up on why this is your Pick of the Day. If it is a system/model play you must note relevant data such as ROI or record and provide an overview/description of your model or system. You must note time/sport/event of your pick. No top level comments without a pick. Please report posts that do not meet the requirements. Basic template for posting Sportsbooks and Promos Live /sportsbook Chat FAQ General Discussion/Questions Futures and Outrights Models and Statistics
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2024.05.20 02:08 BrennusRex Completing a degree online while living abroad?

In 2022 I received a bachelor's in history with a minor in English. Due to external struggles and bad mental health, my grades weren't the best, but I got it. As of recently, I've felt a rekindled desire to take on some sort of academic endeavor, possibly going onward into grad school, and the path that I've envision is complicated to say the least. Here's the short version.
1) Currently, I am taking Trinity CertTESOL courses so that between September and December, I can go teach classes abroad, probably in Japan through the JET program.
2) I want to take the classes online while I am living in Japan that would be required for me to turn my English background into a Bachelor of Arts with a creative writing minor. It would only take me like 30 credit hours to do this, and if I can, I would take classes year round over the next two or three years while living abroad.
3) After I am done teaching abroad, I want to use my improved grades from my second degree, the fact that I went back to school and did better, and the experience that I gained teaching abroad to possibly find my way into a master's program.
THE CURRENT PROBLEM: the classes that I would need to take with my alma mater to get the degree through them are either not currently offered or are not offered online as far as I can tell, and I don't know what other reputable universities might offer online programs to get some kind of Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Has anyone had a similar situation? How could I possibly find a way to take these classes and finish my degree online while living internationally?
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2024.05.20 02:07 SanderSo47 Directors at the Box Office: Clint Eastwood (Part 2)

Directors at the Box Office: Clint Eastwood (Part 2)
https://preview.redd.it/va70nf0l3h1d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=021d936ee0a724ca428d8559f5823592404d1822

As Reddit doesn't allow posts to exceed 40,000 characters, Eastwood's edition had to be split into two parts because his whole career cannot be ignored. The first part was posted yesterday.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)ยจ

"Beyond his silence, there is a past. Beyond her dreams, there is a feeling. Beyond hope, there is a memory. Beyond their journey, there is a love."
His 25th film. Based on stories from the 2000 collection Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner by F.X. Toole, it stars Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. The film follows Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald, an underdog amateur boxer who is helped by an underappreciated boxing trainer to achieve her dream of becoming a professional.
Paul Haggis wrote the script on spec, and it took four years to sell it. The film was stuck in development hell for years before it was shot. Several studios rejected the project even when Eastwood signed on as actor and director. Even Warner Bros., Eastwood's longtime home base, would not agree to a $30 million budget. Eastwood persuaded Lakeshore Entertainment's Tom Rosenberg to put up half the budget (as well as handle foreign distribution), with Warner Bros. contributing the rest.
The film had an incredible run in limited release, breaking many records for Eastwood's career. It eventually earned a fantastic $216 million worldwide, becoming his highest grossing film ever. It received critical acclaim, and it was named as one of his greatest films. It won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Swank), and Best Supporting Actor (for Freeman). Eastwood became one of the very few directors to make two films to win both Best Picture and Best Director.
  • Budget: $30,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $100,492,203. ($166.8 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $216,763,646.

Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

"A single shot can end the war."
His 26th film. Based on the book written by James Bradley and Ron Powers, it stars Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, John Benjamin Hickey, John Slattery, Paul Walker, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper, Robert Patrick and Neal McDonough. The film follows the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, the five Marines and one Navy corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the after effects of that event on their lives.
The film received positive reviews, but it bombed at the box office with just $65 million against its huge $90 million budget.
  • Budget: $90,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $33,602,376. ($52.2 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $65,900,249.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

"The completion of the Iwo Jima saga."
His 27th film. Based on Picture Letters from Commander in Chief by Tadamichi Kuribayashi, it stars Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryล Kase and Shidล Nakamura. It's a companion film to Flags of Our Fathers, and portrays the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers.
In the process of reading about the Japanese perspective of the war for Flags of Our Fathers, in particular General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, Eastwood decided to film a companion piece with this film, which was shot entirely in Japanese. The film was shot back-to-back, starting filming just one month after Flags of Our Fathers wrapped filming.
Despite being seen as the least accessible of both films, this film was much more successful at the box office than the previous film (including a colossal $42 million in Japan alone). It also received critical acclaim, particularly for how it handed the depiction of good and evil from both sides. It received 4 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
  • Budget: $19,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $13,756,082. ($21.3 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $68,673,228.

Changeling (2008)

"To find her son, she did what no one else dared."
His 28th film. It stars Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, and is based on real-life events, specifically the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in Mira Loma, California. It follows a woman united with a boy who she realizes is not her missing son. When she tries to demonstrate that to the police and city authorities, she is vilified as delusional, labeled as an unfit mother and confined to a psychiatric ward.
The film earned $113 million worldwide, barely breaking even at the box office. The film received mixed reviews, but Jolie received praise for her performance. She was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress.
  • Budget: $55,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $35,739,802. ($52 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $113,398,237.

Gran Torino (2008)

"Ever come across somebody you shouldn't have messed with?"
His 29th film. It stars Eastwood, and follows Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran alienated from his family and angry at the world, whose young neighbor, Thao Vang Lor, is pressured by his cousin into stealing Walt's prized Ford Torino for his initiation into a gang. Walt thwarts the theft and subsequently develops a relationship with the boy and his family.
The film received great reviews, as well as praise from the Hmong community. It ended up becoming a sleeper hit, and it earned $270 million worldwide, becoming his highest grossing film.
  • Budget: $25,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $148,095,302. ($215.6 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $269,958,228.

Invictus (2009)

"His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion."
His 30th film. It stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Following the aftermath of the apartheid, President Nelson Mandela decides to unite his people by supporting a rugby team in their bid to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The film earned $122 million worldwide, barely breaking even. It received positive reviews, and Freeman and Damon received Oscar nominations for their performances.
  • Budget: $50,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $37,491,364. ($54.7 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $122,426,792.

Hereafter (2010)

"Touched by death. Changed by life."
His 31st film. It stars Matt Damon, Cรฉcile de France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Lyndsey Marshal, Jay Mohr and Thierry Neuvic. An American with a special connection to the afterlife, a woman with a near-death experience and a young English boy, who lost his loved ones, cross paths in an effort to find closure in their lives.
Despite mixed reviews, it managed to earn $107 million, turning a small profit.
  • Budget: $50,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $32,746,941. ($47 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $106,956,330.

J. Edgar (2011)

"The most powerful man in the world."
His 32nd film. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, and Judi Dench, and follows the career of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, focusing on Hoover's life from the 1919 Palmer Raids onward.
The film received mixed reviews; while DiCaprio received praise, the technical aspects of the film were criticized. It earned $84 million, making it a box office success, but far below what DiCaprio usually makes at the box office.
  • Budget: $35,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $37,306,030. ($52 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $84,920,539.

Jersey Boys (2014)

"Everybody remembers it how they need to."
His 33rd film. Base on the 2004 jukebox musical, it stars John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza and Christopher Walken, and tells the story of the musical group The Four Seasons.
It received mixed reviews, with praise for the musical numbers but criticism for the narrative and runtime, and failed at the box office.
  • Budget: $40,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $47,047,013. ($62.3 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $67,647,013.

American Sniper (2014)

"The most lethal sniper in U.S. history."
His 34th film. It is based on the memoir by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice, and stars Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller. The film follows the life of Kyle, who became the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history with 255 kills from four tours in the Iraq War, 160 of which were officially confirmed by the Department of Defense. While Kyle was celebrated for his military successes, his tours of duty took a heavy toll on his personal and family life.
In 2012, Cooper and Warner Bros. bought the rights to the memoir. Cooper wanted Chris Pratt to star as Kyle, but WB told him they would only greenlight the film if he stars in it. After Kyle's murder in 2013, Steven Spielberg signed to direct. Spielberg had read Kyle's book, though he desired to have a more psychological conflict present in the screenplay so an "enemy sniper" character could serve as the insurgent sharpshooter who was trying to track down and kill Kyle. Spielberg's ideas contributed to the development of a lengthy screenplay approaching 160 pages. Due to Warner Bros.' budget constraints, Spielberg felt he could not bring his vision of the story to the screen. So Eastwood was brought in to direct.
The film attained a solid, but not extraordinary response from critics. It also attracted some controversy over its portrayal of both the Iraq War and Kyle himself.
The box office though?
To say that the film had a fantastic run would be selling it short.
It opened on Christmas Day in 4 theaters, and it earned a huge $633,456 ($158,364 PTA). But the following weekend, it actually increased despite playing at the same amount of theaters, adding $676,909. That translated to a $169,227 PTA, becoming the highest second weekend PTA in history for a live-action film. And on its third weekend, it earned $579,518 ($144,879 PTA), becoming the first film to have three weekends above $100,000 PTA. In the 22 days it played in just 4 theaters, it earned $3,424,778.
On its first wide weekend, the film shook the industry by opening with a colossal $89 million. That was almost as much as the other 2014 blockbusters, and given that the film didn't have 3D pricing, it's very likely it sold far more tickets than them. It broke the January opening weekend record by twice as much, and the second biggest for an R-rated title. With insane word of mouth ("A+" on CinemaScore), this film had the legs. In less than one week, it became Eastwood's highest grossing film domestically. On its second weekend, it dropped just 28% and made $64 million, which was the biggest second weekend for an R-rated film (a record it still maintains) and crossed $200 million domestically. And by March, the film overtook The Hunger Games: Mockingjay โ€“ Part 1 ($334 million) as the highest grossing 2014 film in North America.
After an insane run in theaters, it closed with a gigantic $350 million domestically, which made it the second highest grossing R-rated film in North America. Overseas, it was also very strong, and it made a huge $547 million worldwide. It was easily Eastwood's highest grossing film, even adjusted for inflation. One of the greatest box office runs in recent memory. It received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Cooper, ultimately winning one for Best Sound Editing.
The biggest surprise of the 2010s? Perhaps. Cause let's face it, when 2014, did any of you had this as the top film of the year? Or even in the Top 20? Please.
  • Budget: $59,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $350,159,020. ($463.7 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $547,659,020.

Sully (2016)

"The untold story behind the miracle on the Hudson."
His 35th film. Based on the autobiography Highest Duty by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles, it stars Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, Autumn Reeser, Holt McCallany, and Jamey Sheridan. The film follows Sullenberger's 2009 emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, in which all 155 passengers and crew survived and the subsequent publicity and investigation.
The film received strong reviews, and earned over $240 million worldwide, becoming one of his highest grossing films.
  • Budget: $60,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $125,070,033. ($163.3 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $243,870,033.

The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

"The real heroes."
His 36th film. Based on the autobiography by Jeffrey E. Stern, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos, it stars Stone, Sadler, and Skarlatos as themselves and follows the trio through life leading up to and including their stopping of the 2015 Thalys train attack.
Despite choosing Kyle Gallner, Jeremie Harris and Alexander Ludwig as the leads, Eastwood decided to cast the heroes to play themselves, which was met with confusion as they lacked acting experience. And that was reflected on the final film; it received negative reviews for its acting, and it bombed at the box office.
  • Budget: $30,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $36,276,286. ($45.2 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $57,176,286.

The Mule (2018)

"Nobody runs forever."
His 37th film. Based on the 2014 The New York Times article The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule by Sam Dolnick, it stars Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Peรฑa, Dianne Wiest, and Andy Garcรญa. Due to financial issues, horticulturist Earl Stone becomes a courier for a drug cartel. Slowly, he grows closer to his estranged family, but his illegal activities threaten much more than his life.
It received good reviews (although some questioned its story and tone), and earned over $173 million worldwide.
  • Budget: $50,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $103,804,407. ($129.6 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $174,804,407.

Richard Jewell (2019)

"The world will know his name and the truth."
His 38th film. The film stars Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, and Olivia Wilde. The film depicts the July 27 Centennial Olympic Park bombing and its aftermath, as security guard Richard Jewell finds a bomb during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and alerts authorities to evacuate, only to later be wrongly accused of having placed the device himself.
The film received positive reviews, but several journalists criticized the critical portrayal of the reporter that first accused Jewell: Kathy Scruggs (specifically for trading sex for stories). The film marked another commercial failure for Eastwood.
  • Budget: $45,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $22,345,542. ($27.4 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $44,645,542.

Cry Macho (2021)

"A story of being lost and found."
His 39th film. Based on the novel by N. Richard Nash, it stars Eastwood and Dwight Yoakam. Set in 1979, it follows a former rodeo star hired to reunite a young boy in Mexico with his father in the United States.
Nash tried to get this film made all the way since 1970s, but no studio was willing to pick it up. He restructured his films as a novel, was successful and studios were now interested. There were a few candidates for the leading role; Robert Mitchum, Roy Scheider, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Eastwood himself. Arnie was willing to star in the film back in 2003, but put it on hold when he was elected Governor. He was set to star after leaving office, but the project was scrapped after his affair scandal was made known. In 2020, Eastwood signed to return.
The film received mixed reviews, particularly for its writing and acting. It was also a huge flop at the box office, and marked Eastwood's least attended film as leading man. David Zaslav criticized the studio's decision to finance the film. Warner executives allegedly said that although they knew the film was unlikely to turn a profit, they felt indebted to Eastwood for his decades-long relationship with the studio and his consistent ability to deliver films under budget and on time.
  • Budget: $33,000,000.
  • Domestic gross: $10,310,734. ($11.9 million adjusted)
  • Worldwide gross: $16,510,734.

The Future

He recently wrapped post-production on his 40th film, Juror No. 2. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Zoey Deutch, Leslie Bibb, Chris Messina, J. K. Simmons and Kiefer Sutherland, and follows a juror serving on a murder trial who realizes he may be at fault for the victim's death.

MOVIES (FROM HIGHEST GROSSING TO LEAST GROSSING)

No. Movie Year Studio Domestic Total Overseas Total Worldwide Total Budget
1 American Sniper 2014 Warner Bros. $350,159,020 $197,500,000 $547,659,020 $59M
2 Gran Torino 2008 Warner Bros. $148,095,302 $121,862,926 $269,958,228 $25M
3 Sully 2016 Warner Bros. $125,070,033 $118,800,000 $243,870,033 $60M
4 Million Dollar Baby 2004 Warner Bros. $100,492,203 $116,271,443 $216,763,646 $30M
5 The Bridges of Madison County 1995 Warner Bros. $71,516,617 $110,500,000 $182,016,617 $22M
6 The Mule 2018 Warner Bros. $103,804,407 $71,000,000 $174,804,407 $50M
7 Unforgiven 1992 Warner Bros. $101,167,799 $58,000,000 $159,167,799 $14.4M
8 Mystic River 2003 Warner Bros. $90,135,191 $66,460,000 $156,595,191 $25M
9 Sudden Impact 1983 Warner Bros. $67,642,693 $83,000,000 $150,642,693 $22M
10 A Perfect World 1993 Warner Bros. $31,130,999 $104,000,000 $135,130,999 $30M
11 Space Cowboys 2000 Warner Bros. $90,464,773 $38,419,359 $128,884,132 $60M
12 Invictus 2009 Warner Bros. $37,491,364 $84,935,428 $122,426,792 $55M
13 Heartbreak Ridge 1986 Warner Bros. $42,724,017 $78,975,983 $121,700,000 $15M
14 Changeling 2008 Universal $35,739,802 $77,658,435 $113,398,237 $55M
15 Hereafter 2010 Warner Bros. $32,746,941 $74,209,389 $106,956,330 $50M
16 Absolute Power 1997 Sony $50,068,310 $42,700,000 $92,768,310 $50M
17 J. Edgar 2011 Warner Bros. $37,306,030 $47,614,509 $84,920,539 $35M
18 Letters from Iwo Jima 2006 Warner Bros. $13,756,082 $54,917,146 $68,673,228 $19M
19 Jersey Boys 2014 Warner Bros. $47,047,013 $20,600,000 $67,647,013 $40M
20 Flags of Our Fathers 2006 Warner Bros. $33,602,376 $32,297,873 $65,900,249 $90M
21 The 15:17 to Paris 2018 Warner Bros. $36,276,286 $20,900,000 $57,176,286 $30M
22 Firefox 1982 Warner Bros. $46,708,276 $0 $46,708,276 $21M
23 Richard Jewell 2019 Warner Bros. $22,345,542 $22,300,000 $44,645,542 $45M
24 Pale Rider 1985 Warner Bros. $41,410,568 $0 $41,410,568 $6.9M
25 The Gauntlet 1977 Warner Bros. $35,400,000 $0 $35,400,000 $5.5M
26 The Outlaw Josey Wales 1976 Warner Bros. $31,800,000 $0 $31,800,000 $3.7M
27 Blood Work 2002 Warner Bros. $26,235,081 $5,559,637 $31,794,718 $50M
28 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil 1997 Warner Bros. $25,105,255 $0 $25,105,255 $30M
29 Bronco Billy 1980 Warner Bros. $24,265,659 $0 $24,265,659 $6.5M
30 The Rookie 1990 Warner Bros. $21,633,874 $0 $21,633,874 $30M
31 True Crime 1999 Warner Bros. $16,649,768 $0 $16,649,768 $55M
32 Cry Macho 2021 Warner Bros. $10,310,734 $6,200,000 $16,510,734 $33M
33 High Plains Drifter 1973 Universal $15,700,000 $0 $15,700,000 $5.5M
34 The Eiger Sanction 1975 Universal $14,200,000 $0 $14,200,000 $9M
35 Play Misty for Me 1971 Universal $10,600,000 $0 $10,600,000 $950K
36 Honkytonk Man 1982 Warner Bros. $4,484,991 $0 $4,484,991 $2M
37 White Hunter Black Heart 1990 Warner Bros. $2,319,124 $0 $2,319,124 $24M
38 Bird 1988 Warner Bros. $2,181,286 $0 $2,181,286 $14M
39 Breezy 1973 Universal $200,000 $17,753 $217,753 $750K
Across those 39 films, he has made $3,536,687,297 worldwide. That's $90,684,289 per film.

The Verdict

Insanely profitable.
Even the bombs do not taint this kind of reputation. Eastwood has made all these films under budget and never past its deadline. That's something that has to be treasured for studios, no wonder he's been staying with Warner Bros. since 1976. His ability to get films ready in short notice is impressive; Richard Jewell started filming in June and it was on theaters in December. One of the most impressive actors who transitioned into directors. You can tell that Sergio Leone and Don Siegel taught him well.
Now of course, his method of directing can also have its setbacks: he's often known for not asking for multiple takes and he skips rehearsals. So that means the performances of his actors aren't always the best they could've done. Which is why, despite making some masterpieces or fantastic films, he's also made a few films with weak technical aspects: poor lighting (J. Edgar), questionable logic (Cry Macho), obvious props (the fake baby in American Sniper), and some bad acting (Gran Torino and The 15:17 to Paris). At the same time, it's clear he can also get extraordinary performances through these methods; Gene Hackman, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman won Oscars for starring in his films.
He also proved old age doesn't prevent you from continuing to work. He's turning 94 in a few weeks, and he's still directing films. Manoel de Oliveira directed films until he was 104, so perhaps we still have a few more years with Eastwood behind the camera.
P.S. Ever since I started this series, there's been suggestions that I should do "Actors at the Box Office" multiple times. While the idea is intriguing, that doesn't seem feasible for me. I'd have to categorize whether the actor is leading, supporting, original IP, adaptation, remakes, etc. Besides, with the continuing decline of star power, it's tough to decide what actor is truly moving the needle at the box office. That's why I'm making solely "Directors at the Box Office", because the director is responsible for the production. If the film succeeds, the director will get credit. And if the film flops, the director will be blamed. So this is the closest you'll get to "Actors at the Box Office".
Hope you liked this edition. You can find this and more in the wiki for this section.
The next director will be Robert Zemeckis. One of the biggest falls from grace.
I asked you to choose who else should be in the run and the comment with the most upvotes would be chosen. It had to be a controversial filmmaker. Well, we'll later talk about... Zack Snyder. Oh, BoxOffice chose fuego ๐Ÿ”ฅ
This is the schedule for the following four:
Week Director Reasoning
May 20-26 Robert Zemeckis Can we get old Zemeckis back?
May 27-June 2 Richard Donner An influential figure of the 70s and 80s.
June 3-9 Ang Lee What happened to Lee?
June 10-16 Zack Snyder RIP Inbox.
Who should be next after Snyder? That's up to you.
submitted by SanderSo47 to boxoffice [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 02:00 indigmatic Trying to investigate disappeared author and publisher from 1910.

I work in the archives at my university and we just deacessioned this book that we decided was not technically rare that was taking up space in our collections. My boss said I could keep it after we processed it. The author is Constantine George Rickards and it's called The Ruins of Mexico. The publisher info for this particular copy is listed as follows on the title page:
London, W. / H. E. Shrimpton, / 105, Regent Street. / 1910.
I cannot find a single biography on this author anywhere. All I know is the info he gave in the book's introduction about how the plates are photos he took while traveling through Mexico in 1910. He signed it along with marking his location at the time of writing said intro:
Constantine George Rickards. / Oaxaca, / September, 1910.
All I could find through googling the address was that it's now part of a shopping district in London but couldn't find anything on the publisher's name or the author's name besides the fact that this was his only known publication, and he wanted to make a second volume according to a slip of paper inside the book, which gives two publishing houses where they would supposedly be able to be obtained from in 1911, including the above. As far as I've seen online, volume 2 was never made. It doesn't exist anywhere, just people's copies of v. 1 they're trying to sell online for however much money. I searched for Constantine on ancestry and couldn't find anything either, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm just somehow incompetent with tech despite growing up with it. The slip of paper says as follows:
"The Ruins of Mexico." VOLUME II. of this work, containing a similar number of plates as Vol. 1, will be published early in 1911, and can be obtained from-- PHILIP SANDOVAL, Apartado, 21, Oaxaca, Mexico, and H.E. SHRIMPTON, 105, Regent Street, London, W.
My next courses of action will likely be looking into the Oaxacan publisher and address listed, as well as doing an ancestry search for Shrimpton, but I don't have too much hope I'll turn up anything. If anyone knows a thing or two about this and would like to help, or even if you're just interested in helping track these figures down and find out what happened to them and more about their lives, especially that of the author, any help is greatly appreciated.
submitted by indigmatic to Genealogy [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:54 Beautiful-Hold4430 Domain Breaker

Priority 0-0-0 Distress call
Flee! And keep fleeing!

End off message


I'm a domain breaker. Every civilization that develops FTL eventually runs into them: domain walls. A leftover from the earliest moments of the universe. With catastrophic consequences when traveling faster than light. Such craft would suddenly seem to crash into an invisible wall. Nothing identifiable remains in the atomized remnants. You might think I have a dangerous occupation.
It is not. Sensors show where the domain walls are. With almost [1 light year equivalent] margin of error. my job is to map out where exactly those domain walls are. Flying sub-lightspeed on my thrusters. Most would find it a boring and lonely job. I love it. Breaking a domain wall was sometimes exploring new things. The thrill of discovering something new. I could spend all day dreaming about it.
Like when the Ranbar, a race of wingless creatures, discovered a rectangular domain. It's origin could only be artificial. Inside they found a giant mass accelerator. A doomsday weapon. Those filthy [roaches] repurposed it and patented it for cargo transport. Now they monopolize the interstellar trade AND make flying spaceships between habited systems dangerous.
That all happened a few [hundred years ago]. Hell, even the Newest-Sight-To-Behold price had been awarded [about 80 years] ago. Long before the few other precursor domains had been located. Some had wonderful technology. Many were empty. A few had warning buoys and active defenses. No one got past those.
Zero-point energy. Not understood by anyone, the precursor tech was powering my thrusters. I went to maximum acceleration, A lot to do. The domains around this large spiral galaxy. Scans around a few small ones and then a somewhat smaller spiral galaxy. I was planning to go up to 0.9c. My shields would struggle at anything faster. My regular front cameras showed the fireworks of impacting particles already. I was not even at 0.6c yet.
Time dilation and all, I still had a long journey ahead of me. I set the computer to alarm me when we crossed a domain and went off to sleep. I put on the comfortable buzz of a hive and fell asleep. Only after what was to my feeling a short time be awakened. The alarm indicates a domain wall. "That soon"? I buzzed. I must be getting old: I slept over [6 hours].
I ordered the computer to prepare the jump drive. Natural domains are big. Unless they collapsed to a black hole, but that's another story. I could jump a few thousand lightyears now and scan again. Repeat until I find the next wall. I both hoped and did not hope to find an artificial domain. My job is -mostly- not dangerous.
I kept mapping out the safe places to travel beyond light speed. Not that much special to report about those galaxies. I hardly scanned them. That's a job for explorers and maybe diplomats. I had an Explorer license too, but it expired. Maybe I should renew it and fly a bit around that big spiral galaxy. It had close to a trillion stars. No doubt there were new friends to meet.
The last galaxy had so many domain walls I nearly missed it. A perfect spherical domain centered around a big star. I got lucky! Payday! I already imagined myself lavished with unfathomable wealth. I was getting ahead of myself. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was death. As explorer's tradition, I send my diary together with my official report of the anomaly.
Priority 5-5-5 Anomaly report
Spherical Domain located in galaxy y965b67 Radius estimated at [about 2] light years. Centered on star y965b67n98374957.

attached


My speed was still high compared to the motion of stars in this galaxy. I had chosen my FTL jumps in a way I did not need to slow down. I could just make a dip into that bubble. I would be in and out in no time. Relative speaking. I could read a few books while getting through that domain.
I shouldn't. I might get fined. I did it anyway. It was too tantalizing. Who knows what secrets were hidden in this domain? I set course for that big star. This was what I lived for.
As soon as I passed the domain wall I started to receive a message. It took the computer only a few seconds to translate: "WARNING BIOHAZARD. WEAPONS TEST AREA. DO NOT APPROACH". A buoy. A buoy that was a warning. Not a threat. I could ignore it. Should I ignore it? I'll tell them I did it for the hive. Of course, I ignore it. I'm an explorer.
Scans of the system quickly revealed something was going on around the third planet from the star. Life! The atmosphere there is mostly compatible with my biology. Throughout the whole universe, only a few templates of species reached the stars. While their chemistry or details might differ, many are very similar. Something with congruent evolution I'm told. I wonder what template was favored on this planet.
Even though the atmosphere was breathable, I stayed in orbit and launched the recon probes. The probes. The horror when they returned their data.
This world did not favor a single template. It favored all of them. That's not the horror. I've seen the biohazard. Seen it! It is a giant! Hundreds of times larger than the largest Xzusian. The giants were mercilessly slaughtering all the Ranbar-like, Xzusian-like, and even creatures like me. Every sapient template got stamped on, pulled apart, and swatted by those giants. That was not the worst. In some places, they had inescapable traps with light to confuse. Ten-thousands were drawn into the traps and killed. Those giants must be merciless brutes to come up with such a contraption.
Desperately I transferred blueprints for interstellar drives to the poor suppressed creatures. To mock me the giants sent a message that translated as "thank you". Those giants were not mere brutes. They managed to translate my broadcasts. It won't be long before they manage to break out of their domain. I was so angry my stinger came out. Angry at those giants. Angry at myself. I send a warning message with the highest priority, add my diary part 2, and hope I get away. That anyone get away.
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2024.05.20 01:51 nowlan101 I have a deeper appreciation for Abraham Lincolnโ€™s rhetorical wit and eloquence now that I understand how *hard* he worked at it

Of all American presidents, Lincoln, second, only to maybe Washington, is the most mythologized and deified. And as a result you can sometimes take for granted, like I did, that heโ€™s a human being and that his skill in communication wasnโ€™t something genetic.
But Iโ€™m reading Michael Burlingameโ€™s massive two part biography of Lincoln and he gets down in the minute details of Lincolnโ€™s childhood and what you see is Lincolnโ€™s fascination with, in broad terms, language. Over and over again Burlingame talks about his hunger to understand how to communicate. Heโ€™d write on anything and everything he could from paper, to wood, to slate. Heโ€™d devour any books he could get his hands on and, if he didnโ€™t understand a passage or phrase, heโ€™d keep writing it and re-reading it until he understood. In his own words, he said it would drive him nuts if he couldnโ€™t understand what a book or author was talking about
And learning that made me appreciate what Lincoln did. To my mind at least, this broke white trash kid was basically analyzing the English language and how to use it effectively. Heโ€™d break down a piece writing to its most basic elements and analyze the those constituent parts to understand how, why and what the writespeaker was attempting to do and what literary tools they were using to do it.
From that nearly subatomic knowledge, his own experience as a poor man and a generous helping of natural talent came the legendary Lincoln we remember today speaking at Gettysburg. Not a mythic figure but a self made man.
submitted by nowlan101 to Presidents [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:32 Soninetz Wrike vs Notion: Features & Benefits Compared

Wrike vs Notion: Features & Benefits Compared
Did you know that 67% of businesses struggle to choose between Wrike and Notion for their project management needs, considering market share, user reviews, gantt charts, and alternative options? Both platforms offer unique features that cater to different organizational requirements. By the end of this discussion, you'll have a clearer understanding of which platform aligns best with your business objectives and project management preferences.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial

Key Takeaways

  • Evaluate your needs: Consider your specific requirements, team, and workflow to choose between Wrike and Notion effectively based on user reviews.
  • User feedback matters: User ratings and insights can offer valuable perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
  • Focus on productivity: Select the tool that aligns with your goals for enhancing productivity and efficiency in your work processes.
  • Test key features: Explore the unique features and benefits of Wrike and Notion to see which one best suits your work style.
  • Stay informed: Regularly review updates and new functionalities of both platforms to maximize their potential for your tasks.
  • Customization is key: Opt for the platform that allows for customization to tailor the tools to your specific needs and preferences.

Key Features and Benefits

Customization Options

Notion provides extensive customization options for creating unique workflow solutions. Users can tailor their workspace, databases, and templates to suit their specific needs. This flexibility allows teams to design workflows that align perfectly with their processes.

AI Writing Assistant

The Notion platform offers an AI writing assistant that enhances writing clarity. This feature assists users in improving the quality of their content by providing suggestions for better structure, grammar, and coherence. The AI writing assistant in Notion is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to enhance their communication skills.
https://preview.redd.it/vwv11n2cxg1d1.png?width=696&format=png&auto=webp&s=911668b5adc6bf6ee24bccbceebbfa1bc608e534
Supercharge productivity! ๐Ÿš€ Start your Wrike free trial today and streamline teamwork effortlessly.

Collaboration Tools Comparison

When comparing Wrike with Notion, it's essential to note that while Wrike focuses on project management, Notion offers a broader range of collaborative tools. Notion's versatility extends beyond project management, making it a suitable choice for teams looking for a multifunctional platform.
  • Pros:
    • Diverse customization options
    • Enhanced writing clarity through AI assistance
  • Cons:
    • Limited focus on project management compared to Wrike

User Ratings and Insights

User Satisfaction

User reviews consistently highlight Notion's exceptional performance, with high customer ratings on platforms like G2. Notion's intuitive interface and versatile features have garnered widespread acclaim from users.

Workflow Management Impact

Wrike stands out for its robust reporting capabilities, making it a preferred choice for teams seeking detailed insights into their projects. However, some customers find its interface complex compared to Notion.

Productivity Boost

Notion users often praise the platform for its time-saving features, enabling them to streamline tasks efficiently. This streamlined approach positively impacts market share, empowering teams to collaborate seamlessly.

Choosing Based on Needs

Collaborative Features

Notion excels in providing a versatile platform for collaboration, allowing teams to share and edit documents seamlessly. On the other hand, Wrike offers robust task management tools that streamline project coordination efficiently.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial

Customization Level

When considering workflow management needs, Notion stands out with its highly customizable templates and databases, catering to diverse organizational structures. Conversely, Wrike focuses on structured project planning, ideal for teams seeking a more standardized approach.

AI-Driven Productivity

The integration of AI-driven features in both Notion and Wrike plays a pivotal role in enhancing productivity. Notion leverages AI for content organization and knowledge discovery, while Wrike utilizes AI algorithms for automating task assignments and scheduling.

Productivity and Efficiency

Notion Templates

Notion offers a wide range of templates that cater to various work processes, enhancing organization and efficiency. These templates are designed for tasks, projects, calendars, and documents. By utilizing these templates, users can easily create structured workflows tailored to their specific needs.

Wrike Project Management

Wrike's primary focus on project management significantly impacts overall productivity by providing a comprehensive platform for managing tasks, timelines, and resources. Its emphasis on collaboration and real-time updates ensures that teams stay aligned and projects progress smoothly towards completion.

Faster Project Completion and Reduced Email Communication

The ability to streamline tasks through dedicated task management features results in faster project completion times. By centralizing all project-related information within the project management tool, teams can communicate more efficiently without relying heavily on email exchanges. This reduction in email communication not only saves time but also minimizes the chances of miscommunication or missed deadlines.

Summary

You have explored the key features and benefits of Wrike and Notion, delved into user ratings and insights, considered choosing based on your needs, and examined productivity and efficiency. Both tools offer unique advantages, catering to different preferences and requirements. As you navigate your decision between Wrike and Notion, remember to prioritize what aligns best with your workflow and objectives. Each platform has its strengths, so identifying your specific needs is crucial for selecting the most suitable option.
In conclusion, whether you opt for Wrike or Notion, focus on how each tool can enhance your productivity and streamline your tasks effectively. Take the time to assess your workflow, consider the features that matter most to you, and make an informed choice that supports your work processes. Your selection can significantly impact your efficiency and organization, so choose wisely.
Maximize efficiency! ๐ŸŽฏ Take Wrike for a spin with our free trial and achieve more!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of Wrike and Notion?

Wrike focuses on project management with robust task tracking and reporting tools. Notion offers a versatile all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and databases.

How do user ratings compare between Wrike and Notion?

Users praise Wrike for its project management capabilities and collaboration features. Notion receives acclaim for its flexibility in organizing information and customization options.

How can I choose between Wrike and Notion based on my needs?

Consider your requirements: if you need advanced project management tools, choose Wrike. For a flexible all-in-one workspace, opt for Notion.

How do Wrike and Notion enhance productivity and efficiency?

Wrike streamlines project workflows, improves team collaboration, and provides detailed insights. Notion boosts productivity by centralizing information, offering customizable templates, and enabling seamless organization.

Can Wrike and Notion be integrated with other tools for enhanced efficiency?

Yes, both platforms offer integrations with popular tools like Google Drive, Slack, Trello, and more to streamline workflows and improve overall efficiency.
Useful Links:
  1. Wrike LifeTime Deal
  2. Wrike Free Trial
submitted by Soninetz to AllPromos [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:27 Strict_Mammoth_2117 AITA for โ€œruiningโ€ my friends life who has abusive parents

Throwaway account btw- I (16F) have known this girl (16F) since 6th grade, she hasnโ€™t always been the best friend to me. She has always been very transparent that her parents are not nice people, and Iโ€™m not going to go into the types of things she says they do but she will tell anyone who is an acquaintance to her. I have been worried about her for some time but whenever I or anyone tries to ask if she should talk to someone (like a teacher) she refuses and tells us not to report it as that will only make things worse. At first I was always skeptical of her because it sounded like a lie tbh but after years of hearing about this (weโ€™re going into Junior year next year) I definitely believe her and have seen examples of the things she describes firsthand. I donโ€™t get why she is so public about everything if she doesnโ€™t want anything reported or anyone to suggest anything to help her, but I donโ€™t judge sheโ€™s going through enough as it is. It seems like a cry for help to me. This year she spent a lot of time with me and I havenโ€™t loved it because she is often not nice to me, makes comments on how I look, calls me gay (which poor insult anyway I couldnโ€™t care less). Sheโ€™s not in my inner circle but Iโ€™m in hers and itโ€™s awkward. Iโ€™ve brushed these things off because I understand that she is in a rough spot. However, most of my friends do not like her at all and I have gone to great lengths this year to mediate things between them. Recently she has been describing things getting worse and worse. I have been scared for her safety, and kept telling her what I have been since the beginning. That she needed to tell someone so she would be alright. She refused like always, and I was terrified for her. After class I told a teacher I trusted about it, and basically asked if I should write a report. My teacher said she had already been told by another student (not surprising since sheโ€™s very public about everything) and said I should write an anonymous report. I kept it anonymous but I did mention specific events only I was there for that weโ€™re important because I felt like action needed to be taken. She texted me today and was furious because she knew I reported her. How I donโ€™t know, I didnโ€™t tell anyone about it. Now CPS is involved. I didnโ€™t deny writing the report, Iโ€™m not going to lie to her. I just said that I didnโ€™t intend to hurt her and that I was concerned that she might be killed or badly assaulted and I felt like I had a responsibility to say something. She told me that I was a b**** for reporting it and that I was ruining her life. I donโ€™t mean to be rude, but she wasnโ€™t in a good spot to begin with so I donโ€™t really get it . I do genuinely feel awful for her, but I feel like what I did was right. I never had spiteful intentions towards her, but obviously Iโ€™ve caused her a lot of pain nonetheless. I donโ€™t particularly want to apologize either. AITA?
submitted by Strict_Mammoth_2117 to AmItheAsshole [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:17 AegonTargaryan Stacking Aspire Resort Credit and Platinum FHR Credit

This is my first time using both credits (as well as the Waldor $100 credit) so I'm trying to see if I am doing this right.
I am planning a two night stay at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles. For the dates I am planning it is currently $330 per night. Would I be able to book via either Hilton or Amex FHR portal with the platinum on file. Then call the hotel and ask to make a $200 deposit triggering the FHR credit. After that call in later for another $200 deposit via the Aspire triggering the first resort credit for this half of the year. Finally at the hotel paying the remainder with Aspire to get the second half of the year resort credit.
Additionally, with all this splitting up payments would the Waldorf credit still be usable at the on-site restaurant? I know the writing says the booking needs to be made via hiltonhonorsaspire.com but I've seen mixed reports about credits being applied when booking just over hilton or amex portal. I know I'm hitting the two night minimum part of it.
submitted by AegonTargaryan to awardtravel [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 01:01 AutoModerator Weekly Copyright Reminder

This is a weekly reminder post of this sub's stance on potential copyright infringement. This is a serious issue that needs to be kept in mind when creating and listing NFTs.
Original post by u/HurleyBird1
Quick disclaimer: I AM NOT A LAWYER. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE - THIS IS SIMPLY INFORMATION WITH WHICH TO EDUCATE YOURSELVES AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR LEGAL ADVICE FROM A LICENSED SOURCE.
Now that that's out of the way. My credentials are: MBA, with a bit of business law classes under my belt.
I want to give a quick explanation of how copyright works - and I'll do so through quick blurbs n some myth/reality bullets.
Source: copyright.gov (US)
  1. Subject matter of copyright: In general28(a) Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Works of authorship include the following categories:(1) literary works;(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;(5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;(7) sound recordings; and(8) architectural works.(b) In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.
- Myth: I can use any image/song/video/writing I want.
- Reality: No. Not true at all.
- Myth: Well they never said it's copyrighted.
- Reality: Upon publication (and even while a work in progress) a work is automatically protected via copyright under US Law.
- Myth: Well they never sold it.
- Reality: It doesn't have to be commercialized to be protected.
- Myth: Well it was a long time ago
- Reality: Possibly true...as long as the creator is deceased (or if multiple creators, the last living one is deceased) and the required time has passed...although this gets tricky with "estates."
(d) Duration of Rights.โ€”(1) With respect to works of visual art created on or after the effective date set forth in section 610(a) of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990, the rights conferred by subsection (a) shall endure for a term consisting of the life of the author.
So what's this thing I hear called "Fair Use?"
Straight from the source:
  1. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use41Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall includeโ€”(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
Uhh...help me translate that please... (here's a decent official translation: https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html)
  1. above...if it's non-profit educational use, you're usually good to go...if it's for money or trade (commercial nature) then you're usually NOT...unless YOUR piece is "transformative"
Transformative uses are those that add something new, with a further purpose or different character, and do not substitute for the original use of the work.
- Myth: Well this is paid for in Algos, not USD so it's not "commercial"
- Reality: IT IS commercial. You could even barter for bacon and it'd be commercial. It's an exchange of one good/service for another good/service.
- Myth: My piece with Batman inside a card is "transformative"
- Reality: No, unfortunately, more-than-likely the courts would say it's not. A good litmus test is..."If Warner Bros Entertainment (owner of Batman) wanted to make an NFT/ASA "Batman card" would yours compete with it or be possibly mistaken (by a reasonable person - so in America think 8th grade education) for real merchandise? Probably...thus it's not transformative enough.
"nature" gets a little tougher. This looks at protecting the "creative process." Thus, using other works of art is less-likely to be protected than using factual sources - like historical photographs since it's easier to "create art" and thus "transform" factual pieces than other art pieces. This is also talking to things like "parody." Satire is NOT protected. "Parody" is. What's the difference? LegalZoomputs it well: While a parody targets and mimics the original work to make a point, a satire uses the original work to criticize something else entirely. Another way to look at it is that satire uses another work as a way to comment on something happening in the world that has nothing to do with the original work.
- Myth: I added a different border, extra planets, and some blur effect to MTZ's World of Light - it's a new piece of art.
- Reality: Not likely the courts will see it that way.
- Myth: This guy added a filter, some burn effects, and collaged a bunch of newspaper headlines together - isn't that a violation!
- Reality: Probably not...the courts would probably see this as a creation of art out of factual sources.
amount/substantiality in relation to the whole...this is where using clips of songs that are only like 5 seconds long works! But using more than that...runs into problems. This is tough to decipher too...as some songs are EASILY identifiable from just 5 seconds (Ice, ice, baby) - and thus NOT fair use. But some aren't. Usually you're safe using a very small clip of a song or video - especially if you're adding more to it. But this is a dangerous game to play - and there's places to get free audio (some sources below)
effect of the use - this is probably the biggest one. Courts will look at simply...does YOUR work affect the sales or potential for sales of the copyright owner. Of note...this is looked at at the time of the issue being brought to the court, not at the time of sale. For example, let's say my batman card sells for 10 Algos today, but Algorand BLOWS UP and soon every NFT is on Algorand. And now my OG Batman NFT is seen as one of the first Batman ones and official. Warner Bros gonna sue the shit outta whoever owns it at the time they sue to get the rights to all sales of that NFT. So that person is left holding an empty bag when Warner Bros wins in court.
- Myth: Well they're not commercializing it NOW so I'm safe.
- Reality: Technically, yea Warner Bros probably won't spend the money to go after the OG artist and the hands the asset passed through...HOWEVER, they may. That's their right. Who knows - the Napster days showed us the lengths companies will go to. EVEN BIGGER HOWEVER, the last person holding it when Warner Bros DOES decide to go after that Batman NFT...uh oh for them - they just lost their asset.
- Myth: Well it's been like a year, and no one has brought up copyright. So I'm good.
- Reality: If this was in a normal market...maybe this argument would work. If McDonald's let you sell a Ronald McDonald poster for like a year on Amazon with no issues, some court may say "bro, you took too long to bring this to us." HOWEVER, with cryptocurrency being so new (and Algorand being so little known/discussed), most courts would see it as "reasonable" that a copyright owner failed to exercise their rights within a year - possibly even a decade. (Updated because I realized last example dealt with trademark not copyright :o)
So what am I safe to use?
US Government works (mostly)...any deemed free to use by creator...and any a copyright lawyer says they have your backs on (cuz now they're liable).
Here's some great sources for free use items (please add to this list below if you know of some!!!):
Pictures: https://buffer.com/library/free-images/ (Unsplash is one of my faves)
Music: https://www.wix.com/blog/photography/2019/11/27/free-music-for-videos/
Video: https://blog.hootsuite.com/free-stock-videos-sites/
You'll notice there's a lot of "shoulds" "coulds" "probably" etc. This is because copyright cases are all unique and go to the courts. The best bet is to go with stuff you KNOW is free and fair-use. If not, I'd look up copyright law, consult supreme court cases concerning copyright, and ultimately, talk to a lawyer.
AGAIN: I AM NOT A LAWYER. I AM NOT PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. I AM SIMPLY PROVIDING INFORMATION. THERE MAY BE ERRORS ABOVE THAT COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES - CONSULT A COPYRIGHT ATTORNEY IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE.
submitted by AutoModerator to AlgoNFTMarketplace [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 00:45 Raspberry-Zestyclose It gets better just keep working hard :)

Warning this is a very long read without a TLDR
I left this sub and joined the ryerson sub in 2021. Leaving behind my big drive of notes which is what I assume keeps driving these posts talking about grade inflation to my feed. My last few comments were very similar to everyoneโ€™s posts as of now - grade inflation, unfair admissions, feeling close to your goals and it being taken away. 3 years later hereโ€™s where I came from and what Iโ€™m doing now, why itโ€™s not your fault and to offer a bit of hope if it helps. :)
In grade 12 (end of 2021) I had an 89 average, I was rejected from the majority of life sci and health sci programs (if a school had both I applied to both of them) - mac, u of t, queens, western. I got into York psych, health, TMU bio, undeclared arts and psych (waitlist), Laurier health sci and ottawa health sci. (some of my programs might be off if itโ€™s wrong, the overarching field is what I mean). My goal was U of T life sci and to go to medical school. Laurier and Ottawa were off the table after my family and I came to the conclusion that we donโ€™t have the money for me to move away, removing my last two life/sci options. I honestly wasnโ€™t a big fan of York leaving TMU as my last option. I really wanted a life science or health science program because the curriculum after first year was not simply bio, chem, physics so I veered from biology at TMU.
So I ultimately ended up accepting undeclared arts as I was waitlisted for psychology. At the end of June, I got off the waitlist for psychology and accepted that. At the time, I was seriously unhappy with myself I was angry at the fact that people were getting opportunities that I wanted that didnโ€™t deserve them due to inflation and lack of standardization of monitoring of tests during online schooling and just overall how poorly my high school experience ended. Iโ€™m talking full breakdowns about how I worked so hard and got nothing in return. I had teachers who genuinely believed that I was one of the best students that they had in years and told me that I would go far. I had a teacher go as far as writing a letter for no reason other than to just say how proud they were of me and how they knew that I would do great - which at the time I truly didnโ€™t believe after not achieving any of the goals that I had set for myself at the beginning of grade 12.
My first year of psychology was online for my first semester where I did decently well I got a 3.0 my second semester, ended up being entirely in person because the online sections of classes were full. At the time I wanted to do medicine this dream quickly got away from me when second semester in person classes left me with a 2.67 gpa for the semester. I had a realization looking upon my peers who were still completely online at TMU or at other universities had much much better GPA than me and I wouldnโ€™t be able to get into medicine with my GPA. So again I felt let down by systems that ultimately led to further inequality in education. I let go of the idea of medicine and had no idea what I wanted to do after my undergrad.
After my first year, I decided to join the course union at my school, which was one of the best decisions I ever made. I met amazing people who encouraged me to do better, peers who were higher years than me and gave me advice when needed and from there, my grades got better. after joining the course union I joined the liberal arts union and from there I worked on about five more different positions over the next two years. TMU is generally not seen as the best school and itโ€™s not necessarily โ€œcompetitiveโ€ but that can work in your favour because thereโ€™s so many positions available whereas at other schools where people may be more inclined to take these these positions making them more competitive. Joining these course unions gave me so many opportunities and so many things that are now on my CV that continue to provide more opportunities, for example I was offered a job at the school based on all my experience. My CV is now what I would consider amazing with all the work that Iโ€™ve gained that is applicable to the field that I want to work in and because of my experience on my CV I got a research assistant position where I have a great academic relationship with a prof. And I got my gpa up enough itโ€™s not near a 4.00 or anything crazy but itโ€™s good enough for me to get into grad school.
I always knew that I didnโ€™t want to stay in psychology after I graduated so I completed my degree in three years rather than four. I also want to mention you do not need to complete your degree in three years. Thereโ€™s no need for it. Had I stayed for an extra year I wouldโ€™ve had so many more opportunities with extracurriculars. Itโ€™s just I did not love the psychology curriculum enough to want to stay in it for another year. I had taken summer school courses before coming to this conclusion, and I had so many credits that I didnโ€™t want to switch programs so I fast tracked. All that being said, do not rush your degree unless for example, you donโ€™t like it and have plans to do something unrelated afterwards - for me it was a masters in a different field that the only requirement was a bachelorโ€™s degree so I didnโ€™t see the point in switching. Having gained all of the research experience and extracurricular experience in the field that I want to pursue is what made my degree nonetheless beneficial even though I wasnโ€™t doing what I had originally planned.
As of now, I will be beginning my masters at U of T in the fall (not in psychology). I feel very accomplished and fulfilled with everything Iโ€™ve done and I feel like the person that all those teachers said that I was back in high school. While I didnโ€™t go to U of T for life sciences, and become a doctor like I had thought I would I am going to U of T nonetheless for a field I didnโ€™t even know existed. I found and great community and something I genuinely love by continually working hard after feeling like I was ripped off by grade inflation and online school. All of which is so minuscule to everything Iโ€™ve gone on to do.
Moral of my story is you might feel ripped off right now, that your hard work went unnoticed and you might feel like youโ€™re never going to accomplish your goals. But the truth is, it's very minuscule to the potential that you have. And as long as you continue to use your work ethic and potential wherever you go, you will be successful. You don't need big fancy school. You can do just as well if not better at schools that are seen as less prestigious or competitive as long as you continue to put in the hard work that you did in high school. So please don't feel like you have lost something but feel that you have gained the potential to do more. If youโ€™re truly uncertain about accepting a program, take the time off think about alternate fields and try applying again, it might be better than toughing it out in a program you donโ€™t really care about. If youโ€™re dead set on going to university this fall, donโ€™t wanna take time off and want to apply again and didnโ€™t get into the one you planned, join extracurriculars meet new people and keep putting in work and it will pay off.
And Iโ€™m not saying youโ€™re wrong in anyway for complaining and feeling the way that you feel because I felt the same way. Youโ€™re all valid asf. All Iโ€™m saying is donโ€™t beat yourself up and donโ€™t feel like youโ€™re the problem because thereโ€™s so many opportunities for you so long as you seek them out and take them and you will end up in a much better position in the end.
submitted by Raspberry-Zestyclose to OntarioGrade12s [link] [comments]


2024.05.20 00:15 Stan_B Ai_Prompts_Batch_0001:\ part-B_ [Adds, Conditions, Wears,...]

Ok. i think we are done here. Could you write me another signs of high-tech low-life society?

Absolutely! Here are some signs of a high-tech, low-life society:
Ubiquitous Technology, Crumbling Infrastructure:
Extreme Social Inequality:
Technology as a Corrupting Force:
Environmental Devastation:
This is just a glimpse into a high-tech, low-life society. These elements can be mixed and matched to create a truly dystopian world.

Picture some possible advertisements from such settings.

High-Tech, Low-Life Advertisements:

  1. Holographic Billboard: (Flickers intermittently, distorting the image)
Product: "Neura-Calm 2.0" - Brain Implant
Slogan: "Tired of the glitches in your head? Neura-Calm 2.0 smooths out your neural network for a worry-free, low-lag existence! (Side effects may include memory loss, emotional numbness, and occasional involuntary twitching.)"
  1. Grungy Neon Sign in a Seedy Back Alley:
Product: "Doc Chrome's Cybernetic Enhancements"
Slogan: "Get that edge you need! From basic strength mods to full black-market military enhancements, Doc Chrome has you covered! (Used parts, buyer beware.)"
  1. Pop-Up Ad on a Cracked Mobile Screen:
Product: "Elysium VR Escape Pod"
Slogan: "Can't afford real estate in the Sky City? Escape the slums for Elysium VR! Live your wildest dreams in a pristine virtual world! (Free trial, monthly subscription required, real-world consequences for in-pod violence.)"
  1. Stenciled Graffiti on a Rusting Service Drone:
Product: "Data Scrappers Anonymous"
Slogan: "Selling your personal data just to make rent? We can help you break free! Join our community and reclaim your digital identity! (Meetings held in abandoned ventilation shafts, Tuesdays at dusk.)"
  1. Holographic Advertisement projected onto a Polluted River:
Product: "Eco-Scrub 5000" - Nanomachines
Slogan: "The river's looking a littleโ€ฆtoxic? Eco-Scrub 5000 nanomachines clean up your local waterways! (May cause unforeseen mutations in aquatic life.)"

Another batch please.

  1. Rusty Public Announcement Speaker: (Screeching static interspersed with the message)
Product: "Ministry of Order Approved Thought Regulators"
Slogan: "Unwanted thoughts causing glitches in your daily routine? The Ministry of Order approved Thought Regulator ensures a streamlined thought process for a more productive you! (May cause extreme conformity, inability to question authority, and spontaneous nosebleeds.)"
  1. Faded Holographic Billboard on a Collapsing Skyscraper:
Product: "Luxury Chrome Plating Kit"
Slogan: "Ditch the rust! Chrome-plate your entire body for a sleek, metallic sheen. The mark of a true high-society citizen! (WARNING: Highly toxic fumes, may cause spontaneous combustion in humid environments.)"
  1. Spam Email: (Subject: "YOU'VE BEEN CHOSEN!")
Product: "The Syndicate's Black Market Upgrade Lottery"
Body: "Congratulations! You've been randomly selected for a chance to win a top-of-the-line cybernetic upgrade! One lucky winner will receive military-grade night vision implants! Enter now! (Participation requires full biometric data submission. Winners responsible for extraction of previous, incompatible implants.)"
  1. Glowing Neon Sign in a Crowded Marketplace:
Product: "Mama Chen's Guaranteed-Growth GMO Groceries"
Slogan: "Tired of expired rations and mystery meat? Mama Chen's GMO Groceries offer guaranteed growth on all fruits and vegetables! Bigger, faster, tastier! (Long-term effects unknown.)"
  1. Audio Ad on a Glitching Radio Broadcast:
Product: "Rusty's Reliable Rocketship Repair"
Voiceover: (Gruff, heavily accented) "Is your escape pod sputtering? Did your joyride end in a fiery crash? Rusty's Reliable Rocketship Repair gets you back in the stars... eventually! (Guaranteed not to explode... again. Parts sourced from scrapyards. May contain rogue AIs.)"

Now craft ads that would be shown in high-society parts of cities.

High-Society Ads in a High-Tech, Low-Life World

  1. Tranquil Holographic Projection in a Private Garden:
Product: "Serenity Spa - Neural Rebalancing Retreat"
Visual: A serene mountain landscape with a luxurious spa nestled amongst the clouds.
Slogan: "Escape the chaos. Reclaim your inner peace. Serenity Spa's exclusive neural rebalancing treatments restore harmony to your overloaded mind. (Limited availability, reservations required centuries in advance.)"
  1. Discreet Text Message: (Delivered via secure, encrypted channel)
Product: "The Black Archive - Unrestricted Data Access"
Body: "Craving the forbidden? The Black Archive offers unparalleled access to censored historical records, banned media, and classified government information. Knowledge is power. (Extreme discretion guaranteed. One-time access fee, cryptocurrency only.)"
  1. Exclusive Gala Invitation: (Delivered by hand-drones)
Event: "The Zenith Initiative - Unveiling the Next Generation of Cybernetic Enhancements"
Visual: A sleek, chrome figure with glowing blue cybernetic implants, striking a confident pose.
Details: "Mingle with the city's elite and witness the unveiling of cutting-edge cybernetic enhancements designed to redefine human potential. RSVP required. Black-tie attire mandatory. (Augmentations sold separately.)"
  1. Curated Virtual Reality Experience: (Delivered on a high-security chip)
Product: "Elysium VR - Bespoke Worlds"
Description: "Escape the limitations of reality. Elysium VR crafts personalized virtual worlds tailored to your deepest desires. Explore a forgotten utopia, conquer a fantastical realm, or indulge in your wildest fantasies. (Customization fees apply. Memories created within VR may not be distinguishable from reality.)"
  1. Whisper Network Rumor: (Spread through high-society gossip channels)
Product: "The Underground Clinic - Designer Gene Editing"
Details: "Unleash your child's full potential. The Underground Clinic offers discreet, top-secret gene editing to ensure your offspring possess the most desirable traits. (Designer genes come at a premium. Side effects may include unpredictable mutations and uncontrollable genius.)"
These ads cater to the specific desires of the high-society elite in a high-tech, low-life world. They offer exclusivity, forbidden knowledge, and the ability to transcend the limitations of the decaying world around them, all for a hefty price and with a hint of hidden danger.

Continue, try to make more serious ones.

Serious Ads in a High-Tech, Low-Life World (High-Society Edition)

  1. Holographic Panel Discussion in a Luxurious Penthouse:
Product: "The Green Horizon Initiative - Sustainable Urban Development"
Panelists: Renowned architects, environmental scientists, and CEOs from leading green tech companies.
Discussion Points: Innovative solutions for vertical farming, self-contained eco-districts, and waste management technologies designed to create cleaner, more sustainable enclaves within the decaying city.
Slogan: "Investing in a greener future. The Green Horizon Initiative seeks to build sustainable havens within the chaos, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for generations to come." (Focuses on the long-term viability of the city and the importance of preserving resources for future generations.)
  1. Documentary Screening in a Private Art Gallery:
Film: "Unveiling the Slums: A Call to Action"
Description: A powerful documentary exposing the harsh realities of the lower districts, highlighting the human cost of unchecked technological advancement and social inequality.
Post-Screening Discussion: Moderated by a renowned philanthropist alongside representatives from NGOs and social reform movements.
Call to Action: Donations to support educational programs, infrastructure upgrades, and basic necessities in the slums. (Highlights the societal problems and pushes for progressive change.)
  1. Educational AR Program for Children:
Product: "The Knowledge Weavers - Immersive Historical Simulations"
Description: An augmented reality program that allows children to experience pivotal moments in history firsthand. Walk alongside historical figures, explore ancient civilizations, and learn valuable lessons from the past.
Focus: Educating the next generation about the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the importance of social responsibility. (Promotes critical thinking and historical awareness as a means to prevent repeating past mistakes.)
  1. Virtual Charity Gala:
Event: "The Code for Change Gala - Supporting Open-Source Solutions"
Description: A virtual reality charity gala featuring renowned artists, musicians, and thought leaders. Guests can donate to support open-source projects developing solutions for common problems in the city, such as energy distribution, waste management, and cybercrime prevention.
Focus: Harnessing the power of technology for social good and encouraging collaboration towards a more equitable future. (Promotes community engagement and utilizing technology to solve societal challenges.)
  1. Architectural Award Ceremony:
Product: "The Salvaged City Awards - Recognizing Innovation in Urban Renewal"
Awarded to: Architects and engineers who have successfully repurposed existing infrastructure or implemented innovative solutions to revitalize decaying areas of the city.
Focus: Highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and creativity in adapting to a challenging environment. (Encourages using existing resources wisely and finding creative solutions to the problems of the decaying city.)

Another, but hiding an evil sinister twist.

Serious Ads with a Sinister Twist (High-Society Edition)

  1. Holographic Charity Drive in a High-End Shopping Mall:
Product: "The Cradle Project - Investing in the Future"
Visual: Smiling, healthy children playing in a pristine, futuristic classroom.
Slogan: "Every child deserves a chance to thrive. The Cradle Project provides advanced genetic screening and early intervention to ensure the next generation reaches its full potential." (Twist: The Cradle Project uses genetic engineering to create a subservient, highly intelligent underclass.)
  1. VR Documentary Premiere:
Film: "Harmony Through Integration - A Look at the Unified City"
Description: A seemingly heartwarming VR documentary showcasing the seamless integration of the lower districts into the high-society areas. People from all walks of life work and live together in perfect harmony.
Post-Screening Discussion: Moderated by a charismatic government official who emphasizes the importance of social cohesion and the benefits of centralized control. (Twist: The "integration" involves heavy surveillance, mind-altering technology, and the suppression of dissent.)
  1. Exclusive Educational Program for Elites:
Product: "The Phoenix Initiative - Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders"
Description: A prestigious educational program for children of the elite, offering advanced training in technology, governance, and crisis management. Graduates are promised positions of power within the city's ruling elite.
Focus: (Unstated) Conditioning the next generation to maintain the status quo and suppressing any ideas of social reform. (Twist: The program instills a ruthless, elitist ideology that reinforces the societal divisions.)
  1. Virtual Reality Talent Show:
Event: "The Forge - Building the Perfect Citizen"
Description: A virtual reality talent show where contestants are judged on their physical and mental fitness, loyalty to the government, and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Winners are rewarded with significant privileges and access to exclusive resources.
Focus: (Unstated) Promoting blind obedience and conformity to the government's agenda. (Twist: The "perfect citizen" is a mindless drone, easily manipulated and controlled by the ruling class.)
  1. Architectural Award Ceremony (Twisted Edition):
Product: "The Order Award - Recognizing Compliance in Urban Renewal"
Awarded to: Architects and engineers who have successfully transformed lower districts into highly controlled, resource-efficient zones. Individuality and personal expression are discouraged in favor of uniformity and order.
Focus: (Unstated) Maintaining a tight grip on the population and preventing any potential uprisings. (Twist: The "renewal" is designed to weaken and control the lower classes, making them easier to exploit.)
These ads maintain a serious facade that appeals to the upper class' desire for order and control. However, the hidden twist reveals the manipulative and oppressive nature of the society they are trying to preserve.

Now design some high-class consumer level product items.

  1. NeuraWeave Headband: This sleek, designer headband is a status symbol for the high-tech elite. It seamlessly integrates with the wearer's neural implant, allowing for subtle control over personal AI assistants, hands-free communication, and even enhanced focus during work or meditation. Hidden Feature: NeuraWeave can subtly collect and analyze the wearer's emotional state, feeding valuable data to targeted advertisers or even government agencies.
  2. Eco-Bubble Personal Atmosphere System: Imagine a portable force field that creates a pristine, personalized micro-environment around the wearer. This high-end gadget filters air, regulates temperature, and even projects calming nature sounds, allowing the user to maintain a pocket of luxury amidst the polluted cityscape. Hidden Feature: Eco-Bubble can subtly monitor the wearer's health vitals and transmit them to a central database, potentially used for health insurance adjustments or targeted medical advertisements.
  3. Bio-Tailored Clothing: Gone are the days of off-the-rack clothing. This high-end service utilizes advanced bio-scanners and 3D printing technology to create clothing that perfectly molds to the wearer's body, regulates temperature, and even promotes faster healing of minor injuries. Hidden Feature: Bio-Tailored Clothing can subtly collect biometric data like skin temperature and heart rate, potentially used for targeted fitness programs or even mood-altering marketing campaigns.
  4. Augmented Reality Personal Chef: This high-tech device projects holographic instructions and culinary techniques directly onto the user's kitchen counter. Imagine whipping up gourmet meals with the guidance of a world-renowned chef, complete with step-by-step visual guides and interactive ingredient identification. Hidden Feature: The AR Personal Chef can subtly track the user's dietary habits and preferences, potentially used to target specific food and beverage companies for advertising or even manipulate their taste buds through subliminal messaging.
  5. Luxury Cybernetic Enhancements: Forget clunky prosthetics. These high-end cybernetic limbs are designed to seamlessly blend with the human body, offering enhanced strength, dexterity, and even advanced sensory input. Imagine climbing buildings with ease, playing virtual reality games with unparalleled immersion, or experiencing the world with heightened senses. Hidden Feature: Luxury Cybernetic Enhancements can be subtly integrated with government surveillance systems, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring of the wearer's movements and activities.

Why would you need a designer headband, when you already have neural implant?

You're absolutely right, a designer headband might seem redundant when you already have a neural implant in a high-tech society. Here are some ways to address that:
  1. Fashion and Status Symbol: The NeuraWeave headband could be a designer accessory, a way to showcase wealth and social status. It might be crafted from exotic materials, adorned with precious jewels, or boast a sleek, minimalist design that complements the latest high-fashion trends. The neural implant itself might be hidden, with the headband acting as the visible expression of advanced technology.
  2. Enhanced Functionality: While the neural implant offers basic functionality, the NeuraWeave headband could provide a more refined and user-friendly experience. It might offer haptic feedback for better interaction with AI assistants, improved noise cancellation for clearer communication, or even subtle brainwave stimulation to enhance focus or relaxation.
  3. Privacy and Security: While the neural implant offers convenience, it might also raise privacy concerns. The NeuraWeave headband could act as a buffer between the implant and external systems, offering a layer of security and allowing users to selectively control the flow of information.
  4. Social Etiquette: In a world where everyone has a neural implant, the NeuraWeave headband could become a social etiquette tool. Wearing the headband could signify that the user is open to receiving communication or interacting with AI assistants, while taking it off might indicate a desire for privacy or focused work.
  5. Limited Functionality Implants: Not everyone might have access to top-of-the-line neural implants. The NeuraWeave headband could bridge the gap, offering basic functionality for those with older or more limited implants. It could essentially act as an affordable "upgrade" to boost existing technology.
Ultimately, the NeuraWeave headband exists in a world where technology is both essential and aspirational. It goes beyond mere functionality, becoming a way to express personal style, control privacy, and navigate the complex social landscape of a high-tech society.

Now the same, but low-class, available for masses, mass produced.

  1. Syn-Flex Headband (Mass-Produced Version): This utilitarian headband is made from a cheap, conductive material that creates a weak neural link. It allows basic interaction with public AI kiosks, like ordering rations or accessing public transportation schedules. The headband's design is simple and utilitarian, often coming in a single, industrial gray color. Hidden Feature: While basic functionality is advertised, the Syn-Flex headband might subtly collect anonymized user data on purchasing habits and travel patterns, potentially used for targeted advertising in public spaces.
  2. AirBubble Personal Filter: This bulky, wearable air filter system is a lifeline for those living in the polluted lower districts. It's a mass-produced device with a replaceable filter cartridge and a noisy fan system. While not exactly comfortable, it provides a basic level of air filtration, allowing wearers to breathe a little easier. Hidden Feature: The AirBubble filters might contain embedded tracking chips, subtly logging user location data, potentially used for targeted pollution control measures (or in some cases, manipulation of government reports on air quality).
  3. Repli-Wear Clothing Kits: These kits contain pre-cut fabric swatches and basic instructions for creating clothes at home. They're designed to be cheap and adaptable, offering a variety of mix-and-match options to create basic garments. Hidden Feature: The Repli-Wear fabric might contain embedded tracking tags, allowing for identification and potential social credit deductions for those caught wearing "unlicensed" clothing styles.
  4. Holo-Chef Lite Projector: This cheap projector displays holographic images of basic recipes and cooking techniques. It lacks the interactivity of the high-end version, but allows users to follow along with simple meals prepared with readily available rations. Hidden Feature: The Holo-Chef Lite projector might subtly promote specific brands of low-quality, processed food rations, potentially influencing dietary choices towards companies that sponsor these devices.
  5. Second-Hand Cybernetic Enhancements: These are refurbished or salvaged cybernetic limbs, often clunky and lacking the finesse of luxury models. They offer basic functionality like increased strength or rudimentary prosthetics, but come with the risk of malfunction or compatibility issues. Hidden Feature: Second-Hand Cybernetic Enhancements might contain hidden spyware or tracking devices installed by previous owners, potentially monitoring the wearer's activities or even sabotaging their cybernetic limbs in extreme cases.
These low-class consumer products offer a glimpse into the harsh realities of a high-tech, low-life society. They are cheap, functional, and often come with hidden drawbacks that further disadvantage the underclass.

How bad air quality would be in such setting?

The air quality in a high-tech, low-life society would be catastrophic. Here's a breakdown of the potential problems:
  1. Industrial Pollution:
  1. Waste Management Issues:
  1. Energy Production:
  1. Climate Change Effects:
Living Conditions:
The severity of the air quality would vary depending on the specific setting. Some areas might be industrial wastelands, while others might be slightly better off. However, the overall picture is bleak โ€“ this is a society choking on its own technological advancement and disregard for the environment.

Sketch some repli-wear "unlicensed" clothing styles.

Repli-Wear: Unlicensed Clothing Trends

  1. The Salvaged Chic:
  1. The Glitched-Out Glamour:
  1. The Bio-Hazard Chic:
  1. The Cyber-Tribal:
  1. The Corporate Spy:
These are just a few ideas for Repli-Wear styles. Clothing in a high-tech, low-life society would be a way for the underclass to express their individuality, defiance, and limited resources, all while navigating the dangers of a controlling society.

Sketch some repli-wear "licensed" clothing styles, that do not pose any risk for wearers from any concerned sides.

Repli-Wear: Licensed Clothing Trends (Safe Zone)

  1. The Vintage Throwback:
  1. The Minimalist Worker:
  1. The Nature Enthusiast:
  1. The Sports Fanatic (Limited Edition):
  1. The Kid's Corner:

Now the opposite: some high-end high-society high clothing styles.

High-Society Haute Couture in a High-Tech, Low-Life World:

  1. Bio-Luminescent Elegance:
  1. Augmented Reality Couture:
  1. Nanotech Tailoring:
  1. Recycled Luxury:
  1. Cybernetic Accents:
Bonus: The "Living" Garment:
submitted by Stan_B to HTLL [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:49 WriterBoo [F4A] Demon Slayer: The New Slayers [Discord]

It's been years since the defeat of Muzan Kibutsuji. The world has setting into a peaceful period. The word demon has become the thing of myths or legends. As the years had passed however, the legends of demons never truly died. A small group of twelve humans had kept the legends of Muzan throughout the years, traveling the world in an attempt to find something to break away from their humanity and resurrect the original demon. Almost one hundred years later, the twelve had found the very thing to become demons, plunging the world back into chaos. New Demons have been created and the original twelve human in search of immortality and ultimate power have formed a new Twelve Kizuki. With the rise of demons seemingly out of nowhere, ancient contingency plans had been put into effect, the Demon Slayer Corps forming from almost nothing. This new Demon Slayer Corps had immediately recruited as many members as possible, gathering a team to rid the world of demons once again and stop the new 12 Kitzuki from executing their ultimate goal. The Resurrection of Muzan Kibutsuji.
So, the Plot of this roleplay will be set in modern times, following two slayers (Mine and your OCs) as they travel the world, cutting down every demon they can. Sometimes, the new 12 Kitzuki will be involved, during those times I would ask that we both can be able to play a second character. This will also apply to regular demons as well. Though this roleplay may end sometime, I do hope this will be long term, our characters slowly rising the ranks and eventually ridding the world of demons.
Rules
So, with all that done and if you are still interested, please send me a PM and we'll discuss a bit before moving to discord! I look forward to hearing from yall!
submitted by WriterBoo to RoleplayPartnerSearch [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 23:35 dumbmoney99 (FFIE DD) One DD to rule them. One DD to find them. One DD to to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

Ok retards listen up. Been seeing lots of degens writing small DD pieces of bullish or bearish shit. Y'all need to read this cos this is the whole fucking thing.
this is also basically my magnum fucking opus so upvote retards.
im also not some financial advisor or whatever just read this and make your own conclusions degenerates. Im not fucking liable lmao but i am balls deep @ .35 average now, its literally all I have on this earth.
TLDR: FFIE DD summarized, Margin wont affect longs the same way as shorts right now. Dont buy shares on margin though and get ready to supply collateral regardless. Short interest is up and some smart retards are on our side. Read the post to raise your IQ from 8 to 9 though. ๐Ÿป ๐ŸŒˆs mega fuk and even posting high level bear shit to scare us.
Compulsory 7 rockets so you autists dont start having a seizure or something:
๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
Basically been seeing posts about "blah blah margin this, short interest this, WS to clever blah". Going to split this post into distinct sections but im no english degree so dont expect any bear bloomberg level shit or something
FFIE is a fucking steal regardless of squeeze. Buy now or be left on a dying planet while we head to alpha fucking centauri.
So basically everyone here knows about FFIE the horsemen of the apocalypse coming to steal shorts lunch money. Some of our whales from the shut down roaring kitty board bought GME in 2021. Collectively we are fucking rich. As a unit, we are an eccommerce wizard, taking GME from a measly 1.3b market cap to over a $5 Billion company. Its now valued at $6.8 Billion, granted anything "meme" now gets money thrown at it like a stripper in a high flying strip club or some shit , so dont listen to me, so it may well be a bubble. Regardless the thing grew like bacteria doing binary fission on agar jelly ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€.
THEY SELL FUCKING PHYSICAL COPIES OF USED VIDEO GAMES. The market for that is like what? $1?. Electric Vehicles are going to the moon and is basically recession proof because of how clean and cheap is compared to other things for how much you get out of it. Any bears saying that FFIE cant compete with other EV are wrong. The 1,940.1 pound Formula E vehicle will be that hit 0 to 62 mph in 2.95 seconds and have a top speed of 150 mph already slapped heads in. They'll fucking do it again.
๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
We regain compliance if we stay above 1$ we finished four consecutive days at 1 BILLION+ volume. This is the literal smell of money. Hold above 1$ it cant go tits up?
Now for some pussy boomer talk (aka fundametals or something).
Last november FFIE announced a cooperation agreement with Master Investment group and Siraj Holdings LLC. Establishing a sales entity in Dubai.
We are still trading at $1.13. The wedbush 1 year price target is $10.20. Over 10x.๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
I hear some chatter about the late 10q/10k filings that are late the reason for the delay primarily relates to staffing-related challenges in the Companyโ€™s Accounting group and deferred payments to third party audit consultants who have been assisting. The company is working to compile the information to be included in these reports, and I have no reason to think our boy Jonathan Maroko who is now the Interim Chief Financial Officer won't come through in a big way.
Dude has 17 years of investment and finance experience.
He's a rockstar.
๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
WE got in this for the MOASS and the intrinsic value.
Now I know you autists are starting to develop short term dyslexia or something but keep reading. This could be the most important piece of shit you read in your life. How do you think I feel? My brains overheating just trying to write coherent sentences.
AVG earning estimate for 2023 is -47.97, for 2024 it is -15.39 which is a 67.91% YoY increase in earnings.
Maniacal. Thats all I need to say. The company is going to get to mars before papa musk and wont even break a sweat. When Earnings keep pushing every analyst who donwgraded them is gonna get ditched and upgrades will start to happen.
This is a steal. That implies some future higher price target right? Well here is my guess for a conservative price target based on the information above and also some more I probably forgot cos im a retard.
FFIE can reach a ATH market cap surpassing 5b. Here's where that gets interesting. THe minimum size to post on WSB is a 1.5b mkt cap. If this can reach that at 35$ a share, we can ride the meme wave easily surpassing 100$
I really dont understand the bear thesis. The only bear thesis ( short term this one) was that the stock would lose compliance and couldnt get over 1$ a share. We hit $3.80 from .04 in a week, the bear thesis is looking pretty WEAK.
Bears are betting against:
EV, one of the fastest growing sectors.
Remaining above a dollar when we have 1b+ volume for 4 consecutive days
Jonathan Maroko who has a stellar previous work history and 17 years of experience.
Reddit, twitter, stocktwits, and 4chan apes, now basically a collective whale.
I was in a discord with chinese and korean investors who are with us here and just as bullish They are showing up in force internationally.
We literally have mofos getting FFIE tattoos. You think they wont hold?
๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
All of Social media has now formed a shield wall against the bears
๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
Some valid bear thesis left now (the only ones left) -- The planet gets hit by a comet destroying all life on earth.
  1. Now some analysis on the short squeeze and some technical data.
Ok everyone on here and their cat, dog, bedbugs and wifes boyfriend knows about the squeeze. FFIE is the most shorted stock of all time and space. The squeeze makes every autist salivate because its basically free money while cucking big money out of like what 1% of their fund.
Although I know all you cucks hate shares, and hate holding, if the squeeze doesnt happen selling is probably the most retarded thing anyone could do. Its literally buy high sell low and you fucking disgust me. STONK ONLY GOES UP.
This squeeze is so monumental that its been sucking sharks in like fresh blood. Ive been in since $.25 with my few shares. If I had more money Id be buying but im just an unemployed full time caretaker of my mother. Im merely a medium for this money made information.
The stats for this stock now short wise are, from fintel:
Short Interest % Float as of 5/18/2024 95.37 %.
Short shares on loan now (This breaks the bearish margin calls affect longs more thesis): 36.3 Million
Shares left to borrow: 9,100,000
Shares left to borrow if we all switch to cash accounts and turn off stock lending: 0
Need rockets ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€:
Ok so now if Reddit now owns an estimated 6-8% of the stock and we all know to move over to cash accounts now to avoid margin calls, we should be minimizing longs getting margin called. If we go to CASH accounts, or turn off share lending the shorts will not be able to borrow our shares to use against us
These shorts are in a circle of hell we cant comprehend and makes satan scared.
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Cost to borrow is also up, estimated short interest a cataclysmic amount.
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Seen a lot of talk about Gamma hedging and delta.
Market makers can get squeezed for that gamma, too. The more options open that expire in the money the more shares they will be on the hook to hedge for to be able to provide that liquidity.
Now weve established the likelihood of longs getting margin called is far smaller than shorts, on to the options distributions
We had 89,000 options contracts ITM mid day friday. If we finished above $1.5 that would be 8.9 million shares of gamma pressure shorts went all out gave it everything, and WE STILL FINISHED ABOVE THE DOLLAR.
Next week we have even more people.
๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€ ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€๐Ÿš€
Now lets compare this possible squeeze with others.
Bear in mind this is the most shorted stock of all time, but differences in free float change the share price differently.
Kodak went from $2.16 to $33.2
Volkswagen went from ~200 euro to nearly 1000.
Overstock went from ~$21 to $123
Blue apron went from $2.31 to $18
Gamestop went from $3.00 to $485
Gme market cap was 1.3b before it squeezed and finished above 5b
4b puts us at 100$
This shit can happen. Hold on.
Conclusion: Buy shares with cash not margin. Hold shares forever unless the world explodes. hedges bad, Shorts fuk, ๐Ÿป ๐ŸŒˆ posting bearish shit are doing weeklies for the second time after they expired red on friday, FFIE to $3.80 without squeeze, FFIE is still a value play, Good luck have
fun.
UPDATE: Short selling is restricted until the 21st credit to u/valaentius for the information
We now own 90% of the float, not 6-8%
submitted by dumbmoney99 to FFIE [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:59 Additional-Zone5835 Lost my place in Uni and donโ€™t know what to tell my parents

Hello guys. I (M22) live in London. So I currently (well was) attending Kingโ€™s College London. And hereโ€™s my situation. I apologise if it seems all over the place and doesnโ€™t make sense Iโ€™m not in a good state as Iโ€™m writing this.
So I live with my parents and have been living with them to save on accommodation costs and my mother didnโ€™t want me to move out for University. I did my first year of Uni during covid from home then my second year was both from home and going in. Now during my second year I went through a lot, I had this Stockholm-syndrome like attachment to these really toxic friends who used to beat me, use me, abuse me, rob me, bully me, belittle me and basically reduced my already low confidence and self-esteem to nothing. Because of this I ended up retaking my second year.
So I retook my second year last year and I had some drama in my life but Iโ€™m also very lazy and easily distracted. I suffer from autism and suspected ADHD and concentrating and doing things is very hard for me. Like Iโ€™ve been thinking of writing this post for months now and only now I am actually sitting down and writing it.
So last year I took my second year exams. In July I found out my results. I passed most, had deferred one to summer and failed 2. Out of those two, I got an email from my programme director about one of them where she said that itโ€™s from a different faculty and in that faculty when you retake a module, your grade lies entirely on that exam and not on the coursework and that if I get below 33% on that exam, I will fail my whole degree. Now that exam was extremely challenging for me and I knew in my heart that I canโ€™t do this and I wanted to defer the exam for next year. However, she said that if I defer the exam, I would not be able to progress to my third year even though that module is a non-core module that is not related to my degree and I will already have the credits required to progress anyway. So I sat my exams and I passed the other two but, as predicted, I failed that one. So I appealed it and the result of my appeal was that I can retake that exam but I canโ€™t progress to my third year I have to take a year out just for that one exam.
I fought to get into my third year but they just did not allow it. Now we will get into the problem. I told my father the truth about what was happening, however, I told my mother in summer that I passed my exams and that I have progressed to my third year. My cousinโ€™s wedding was coming up and her physical and mental health is up and down so I wanted to keep things positive for her. I really just wanted to progress to my third year for her sake and I begged my university but they just wouldnโ€™t allow it. Now what is not fair is that I found out other people had failed CORE module exams on their first attempt and were allowed to progress to their third year with that while retaking that exam for the core module on their second attempt while I was denied this and basically forced to take my exam for a NON-CORE module in the summer.
And the story doesnโ€™t end here. In February, I found out I had a misconduct hearing and guess what, it was for the exam for this module that I took last MAY! So what happened was I was going through some shit last exam period with another group of friends and so when I took that exam, I didnโ€™t realise I had my phone in my pocket. So during that exam I asked to go toilet, I went to the toilet, and then when I came back I was searched and my phone was found in my pocket and so I was accused of cheating and deceiving an invigilator. My hearing was on the 7th or 8th March and after the hearing, they upheld the charges and so my punishment was a zero on that exam (which Iโ€™d failed anyway) and THEY TOOK AWAY MY RIGHT TO RESIT AND IT SUPERSEDED THE EXAM I WAS ALREADY GOING TO RETAKE IN SUMMER ANYWAY!!!! I put in an appeal for that however, I had 10 working days to submit the appeal and I ended up submitting it at 12:03am the day after the 10th working day. I still havenโ€™t got the results of my appeal.
So now itโ€™s May my mum thinks I sat my third year exams my dad thinks I sat that one second year exam and yeah. I do not know what to do and where to go forward. Iโ€™m thinking of writing a letter telling my parents the truth and running away from home because I just donโ€™t have the strength to face my mum. I canโ€™t do it. Iโ€™m scared.
Please can anyone give me any sort of advice on my situation?
submitted by Additional-Zone5835 to Advice [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 22:49 AxstromVinoven Jumper Axstrom - #28 - The Fountain + Biosphere Supplement

Axstrom's Notes

  1. The list is here: big jump list
  2. The draw (1-5548) is 877, 1520, 4754, 5265, 1478
    1. Drawing 5 so there are backups in case of issues, but the jumper gets to choose among 4
    2. 877 is Earth Final Conflict - A TV show whewre aliens come and uplift Earth but have a hidden agenda
    3. 1520 is Investiture of the Gods - A fantasy tale in Zhou Dynasty
    4. 4754 is Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep - a Disney mashup videogame
    5. 5265 is The Fountain - A film about contuinity across time, grief, death, and growth
    6. Jumper chooses The Fountain
      1. Jump Doc
      2. Reddit discussion
    7. Jumper buys access to The Biosphere Supplement
      1. Supplement Doc

Build Notes

  1. Drawbacks - None - Part of the point is that you can't have everything
  2. Companions - None - This is the journey of an individual soul
  3. Origin
    1. Past: Noble - setting the stage for grander thigns
    2. Present: Inventor - striving for progress
    3. Future: Witness - seeing what has become of the world
  4. Perks
    1. Noble Thought - free for Noble, stay connected to the people who are affected by your actions
    2. Noble Deed - free for Noble, your actions have greater impact and are remembered and recorded
    3. Inventor's Vision - free for inventor, studying a problem gives increasing insight in how to improve it
    4. Inventor's Intent - free for inventor, your creations are harder to misuse
    5. Improved POV - free for witness, observe / remember events from multiple perspectives
    6. Bystander - free for witness, events can unfold around you leaving you unharmed
    7. All Together Now - merge all your past origins into a complex mind
    8. 500 Years of Practice (Teaching) - mastery beyond mastery of the chosen skill
    9. Soothing Presence - calm strong emotions and suffering
    10. Absolution - If someone genuinely repents, you can allow them to move
  5. Items
    1. Meditation Garden - self-explanatory warehouse attachment
    2. Biosphere - Full purchase activates the Biosphere Supplement
    3. Tree of Life Sapling - Grows six immortality fruits per decade, which can (over very long time) grow more trees

Jump Notes

  1. I wake up in my room in the warehouse apartments, after shutting myself in without even checking the Benefactor's Lounge the night before
    1. I'm still lingering on the frustration of not cracking the riddle of Allabar, and not being able to solve the problem permanently
    2. But there's no going back, so I commit to facing forward for the rest of the week, and head to the Benefactor room
      1. Once again, there are four envelopes with me, and my big chart of jumps up on the wall, like something from a Kindergarten classroom
      2. As I affix a sticker saying "The Fountain (2006)" to the big chart, a small round outline appears next to it: "Biosphere Supplement available"
    3. On my way to call a team meeting, I catch a surprise outside the apartments
      1. Three of our bard graduates are slowly exploring the area
    4. At the team meeting, I announce my intention to go solo on the next jump
      1. The decision isn't popular, but most of them have waited while I've done gauntlets before, so it's not a big shock
    5. We set up the entertainment room to watch the movie, even though I don't expect that meta knowledge will be much help
      1. For the first time, we don't all fit in the Entertainment room
      2. By count, there are eleven of us (me and ten companions), the Halflings are now up to fifteen after two recent births, and we have nine new bards with us, so we set up a second showing in the evening
    6. Finally, before heading in to the jump, I make one last check of the Benefactor's office to see if there's more information on the biosphere supplement, but though my note has been removed, there is no response, and nothing on the tablet
  2. I awake from a deep sleep in a luxurious bed, it is early morning and the sun is still rising
    1. I can feel the absence of my abilities; I am reduced below even bodymod, to the level of a baseline middle-aged man in a world with primitive medicine
      1. Nevertheless, I can feel a gift reaching back in time to me - and as I accept it, I am calmed, no longer distressed by what I have lost
    2. In this time, I have duties, both in the mundane sense of the tasks those around me expect me to perform, as well as a greater sense in which I must try to make this world better
    3. My new gift becomes invaluable in due time
      1. All manner of petitioners and officers come to me with grievances, and each of them are a storm of emotions - no one comes before their Count to declare how satisfied they are with things
      2. In short time, word of my wisdom spreads, and my council is sought by King Ferdinand
    4. I lobby my King with an eye to improving the lives of all involved
      1. It is the lives of ordinary Spaniards that are the measure of his ability as a King, not the mass of his treasury
      2. Colonialism brings with it dangers beyond the obvious, and responsibilities for ages to come
      3. Allowing the priests to destroy artifacts of other cultures does not increase our glory, but diminishes it
    5. Despite my ability to make my case clearly and seemingly overcome all objections, my guidance is rarely heeded when I leave the room
    6. And before long, it seems I have made enemies of those who stand to gain by plundering the New World
      1. They do not discuss the matter with me, or make their displeasure known by facing me down in violence
      2. But as the breath leaves my lungs over dinner, my last thought is that I have been poisoned by a coward
  3. I awake from a fitful sleep in a large bed, my wife still asleep beside me despite the chirping of my alarm clock
    1. My first throught is of the date - It is September 7, 1999 - the first day of fall semester
      1. This will not be my first time teaching CS 101, but this time will be different, I can feel the power in my body, my mind, and my soul
    2. I arrive at my office early, of course, and make sure everything is in order - the syllabus handouts are ready, my slides are in order and proof-read, and my TAs have confirmed their preparedness
      1. The lecure hall is large - so many students sign up for CS 101 without any prior programming knowledge, just to see what it's like, or convinced that they will be a natural
      2. As the students file in, they sparsely occupy the massive auditorium, afraid to sit near people they don't know, not fully understanding that for the vast majority of them, this is their first class on campus, their first opportunity to get to know eachother
      3. I exhort them to move towards the front so they can hear and see better, and a few oblige
      4. The first lecture flows like a breeze, the students hanging on my words as I understand what each one needs to hear to understand what the rest of this semester will hold
    3. By semester's end, the students and TAs are in awe, the CS department chair has asked for my materials and told me that spring registrations for CS102 are higher than ever, both of the student papers have run articles praising my class, and the dean of Arts and Sciences has interceded to clear my spring schedule to prioritize my research work on the condition that I teach 101 again next year
      1. I appreciate my grad students and TAs, but I don't have a real family in this life, so I head into the warehouse for winter break
  4. I awaken rested and enthusiastic on a beautiful spring day
    1. It is graduation day for the first group of freshman I taught after coming to this jump, nearly four years ago
      1. They have come so far, and I'm fortunate that some of the best have continued to work with me, and three of them will be graduate students working under me starting in the fall
    2. It is also the first day of human trials for the drug, a new anti-inflammatory
      1. We were hoping it would treat chronic inflammatory diseases, but early testing suggests that it may significantly reduce hay fever, which would be great if we can mass produce it cheaply
    3. My reputation at the school has skyrocketed thanks to the combination of my groundbreaking research plus my teaching perks ensuring high instructor reviews as well as students learning and retaining more
      1. My tenure process has been fast-tracked, since the dean is rightly concerned about losing me to another institution
  5. I awaken slowly, and awkwardly, as if from a coma, as a cocktail of drugs is released into my body, still restrained on my cryobed
    1. Our vessel, the Cyllene, is essentially a large asteroid with a hole carved in the middle, stuffed with propellent, equipment, supplies, expansive aquaponics facilities, and a relatively tiny living area
      1. Cyllene was said to have nursed and protected Hermes, as this vessel must nurture and protect us, the first observers, and hopefully, colonists,
    2. As my body and mind resume normal function over the course of 90 minutes, I get a slow trickle of updates on the status of the Cyllene and our mission
      1. The mission clock says it's 202 years since we left Earth, but thanks to time dilation, Earth has experienced 221
      2. Computer Block 5 (of 8) is currently undergoing automated reconstruction as the block with the highest error correction rate at the time the last automated reconstruction completed
      3. 1575 individuals are currently in cryosleep, and 25 (including me) are active, all sufficiently healthy
      4. I am still Dr. John Axstrom, revered teacher and groundbreaking computational pharmacologist, but my consciousness seems to have jumped forward a few hundred years, skipping past the development of miracle cures, life extension medications, and cryogenic preservation of humans
    3. As I realign with my memories and identity, I remember why I'm here
      1. If colonization proceeds, the coming generations are going to need exceptional teachers if they are to learn their place in the universe, and I'm one of the best there ever was
      2. Our mission is expected to take about 750 years from departure to arrival, and though the vast majority of that time is spent in cryosleep, we take shifts being "awake" to ensure systems are functioning and keep eachother mentally and physically healthy
    4. Since the monitoring systems will throw a fit if I straight up disappear from the vessel, I take a long ride out to the external "observation" check, out of the range of most of the sensor systems
      1. There's not really much to observe in deep space - it's like the night sky, as the ancients saw it with no light pollution, but from a different perspective
      2. Here I quickly form a stunt double duplicate, hand over my electronics, and duck into the warehouse
    5. The warehouse clock confirms my suspicions - I'm nearly seven years into the jump
      1. Since it looks like this isn't going to take nearly 1000 years, the team hasn't been going full-stasis mode
      2. The bards have been poring over J-Borg's personal library as well as the impressive collection of the warehouse media room
      3. But the reason I came is the Tablet of the Free - I'm stuck on a large but still confined deep-space vessel until my scheduled return to cryosleep - how is that supposed to entertain the boss?
      4. After confirming nothing interesting is in the warehouse, I head back to the observation deck, and stash the portable door I've been using back into hammer-space before re-merging with my stunt double, and taking the long trip back to the living area
  6. I wake up to an unfamiliar synthetic beep - apparently the Cyllene's version of a doorbell
    1. When I open the door, one of my crewmates tells me that our directional antennas have picked up some unusual RF activity that seems to be coming from our destination system, and they want me (as the on-shift programmer) to help the astronomer, comms, and operations staff to help make sense of it, and ensure we're not about to get nuked by a magnetar or something
    2. Initial findings were sparse and inconclusive - just occasional pulses of a signal that must have been very strong and highly directional at the time of transmission, to reach us so far away
    3. But I had access to diagnostic tools that the astrophysicists and comms staff didn't, for all their training and equipment: a series of perks specifically for teasing out the needles of relevance from the haystack of noise
      1. And as I looked at what we were seeing, and what we weren't, the answer became clear: these radio bursts looked just like a primitive form of RADAR
      2. At first my colleagues on the Cyllene were skeptical, but the evidence kept mounting, with 4 additional series of "pings" being detected in the next six weeks
    4. With the spectre of extraterrestrial intelligence hanging over the Cyllene, our XO followed protocol, and ordered the full complement to be wakened from cryosleep to assist in the work to come
    5. Within six months, we had fabricated and installed a much larger purpose-built directional antenna array on the surface of our asteroid hull, and reports of different signals were coming in almost daily
      1. We needed all the extra hands, even our mining and terraforming experts were lending a hand with signal analysis and attempts to form patterns
      2. The whole crew felt the urgency and wondered at the situation - temporally, it would mean that their early experiments with RADAR and initial RF broadcasts would have happened at about the same time as humans did those things on earth, and if they developed at the same rate as us (a big if), they would likely be more advanced when we arrivedd than humans were when we left (and thus the technology of our vessel), and would almost certainly see us coming
    6. The coming months flew past, each bringing further confirmation of suspicious, but with it frustration, as we had been unable to extract a coherent signal - the broadcasts we could pick up didn't appear to be using either amplitude or frequency modulation
      1. More than once I brought signal samples to the warehouse team, but they were just as stumped as us
      2. Even more "esoteric" means didn't work - we tried every variation of "Tongues" and "Comprehend Language" spells on printed, audioized, and even engraved versions of the RF signals we caught, but they all failed and the representations seemed full of too many discontinuities
    7. I could feel my new Inventor's Vision working on the task of how to decode these signals, and about two years after the first pulse was detected, I had my breakthrough
      1. The signals didn't represent continuous audio (like human radio) or even piece-by-piece visuals (like rasterized video), but something of each, and a little weirder
      2. They were composed of many (from seven to three hundred, and not consistent at all) micro-audio clips
      3. It was like making an ultra-low bitrate recordding of the voice of every singer in a chorus individually, and transmitting fifty milliseconds of one, then fifty milliseconds of the next, and so one, in serial, and then starting back again with the first voice
      4. We couldn't figure out why they did this, but once I was able to identify the break points between each "voice", I could layer them on top of eachother to make a composite audio version
      5. And that composite audio could be played, and was a viable candidate for magic translation
    8. The entire vessel went wild when I demonstrated the isolation and recombination of the signals to produce audio
      1. The sound of the thing was somewhat like the sound of multiple birds, frogs, and crickets in a forest, in very brief clips
      2. Of course, I didn't reveal that I had access to magic translation - I figured the comms and signals staff (and the one cryptographer) should have to earn their pay
    9. The remaining year and a half was spent in intense research, for them, while I mostly slacked off and tried to make conversation with the people doing important work on this front, since my actual mission here was to "observe" as humans of this universe underwent a sort of assymmetrical first contact
  7. I awaken in my weird little pod bed in my weird little capsule room for the last time, perfectly aware of the remaining hours in this jump
    1. After the initial excitement died down, the majority of the colonists were put back into cryosleep, with only the decoding specialists and those "on shift" like me staying active
      1. There has been a lot of anxiety around the Cyllene for the last few months - we are clearly a colony ship and the intelligent inhabitants of that system probably do not want to be colonized, and may well be easily capable of destroying us
      2. There were discussions about trying to reverse course and head back to Earth, but we could do that any time, and the closer we get, the more information we can gather about the system and its inhabitants
    2. It would be cruel to try to skim supplies from this vessel even if there were something I wanted aboard, so I just wait my time out, helping where I can and secretly translating any communications we receive when time permits
      1. So far it has all been rather uninspiring, which makes me even more curious what kind of species would develop radio technology but not transmit any fiction or speeches or poetry
    3. When it's almost time, I once again make the long trek out to the Cyllene's observation deck alone, and split off a Stunt Double, who can at least stay here for a month, while I slip into the warehouse
      1. When I enter, J-Borg greets me and informs me of a message at the Benefactor's lounge
      2. The note on the door says "Supplement Pending - please attend as soon as possible", so I go in to check it out
      3. With the choices all locked in, the door unlocks and I head out to meet with the team
    4. With the memories of my time in Spain finally restored, I realize how I had been trying to communicate with myself all along, but failing
      1. The need for calm communcation and education will never end - among our closest neighbors or with a civilization 300 light years away
    5. We have the traditional group dinner in the commons, and discuss what's going on
      1. The team did end up spending most of the time in stasis, and the formerly-newborn halflings are a little over a year now biologically, learning to speak and walk
      2. When I mention the Biosphere supplement and how I wasn't allowed to consult them, they naturally asked when it would apply, but it hadn't even occurred to me that there were now definitely too many of us to wait out warehouse changes in the entrance hall, so I checked with the central control
    6. Afterward, no one was complaining when the doors finally unlocked and we were able to leave the commons hall, only to find that the door led to an outdoor path with a natural-looking sunset on the horizon
      1. I didn't want to spoil the whole setup yet, so I said we could tour in the morning, and turned off a number of the facilities and systems for the night, to give me some time to understand what options were available before letting my companions go wild with them
      2. Fortunately, the obvious items like the tree of life and factory complex were on other islands, that would be difficult to reach without the transport disks running
    7. And then I went to sleep again, wondering what the next awakening had in store for me

Notes on the Fountain Jump Doc

  1. Honestly this doc has been on my to-try list since I saw it - I really enjoyed the movie and gladly rewatched it again when it came up in my random draw.
  2. The author took some liberties with the source material, which makes sense because of how focused on Thomas the story is, and the extensions largely make sense
  3. There were a few confusing things in the jump, such as how you get essences and what powers you bring with you into each phase of the jump, but a close reading makes them clear enough
  4. The jump has a few really standout purchase
    1. the inventor's intention is the answer to a lot of concers that "do-gooder" jumpers are likely to have in their careers
    2. the full tree of life is an amazing item - the ability to grant perfect health and immunity to aging within a regrowing item solves a lot of problems
    3. 500 years of practice is amazing if you have a particular skill or art in mind - literally centuries better than the "10 years of practice" equivalents that you find din many other jumps, and has a lot of potential to synergize with other perks that scale off your skill in a particular area
    4. Biosphere is super cool if you want your fiat-backed warehouse to grow into something more
    5. The Dagger of the Path is a great example of a conceptual weapon, and something I probably would have picked up if I had a bunch more points
  5. How you're supposed to interleave the three eras is a little unclear, and maybe I'm not a creative enough author to pull it off. I don't believe SJ Chan ever got around to writing a fictionalized account of jumping to it, unfortunately
    1. If anyone else has done a good jump fiction of this jump, please let me know
  6. Overall absolutely a fantastic jump. Obviously a great option for anyone who likes the movie or wants to solve one of the specific problems available
    1. I'd especially recommend it for an early-chain jumper because of the generally low danger level and great variety of rewards

Notes on the Biosphere Supplement Doc

  1. I knew this was something I wanted to pick up when I first read the fountain jumpdoc several months ago
  2. I use the "Personal Reality" warehouse which was co-authored by SJ Chan, and this supplement feels perfectly tailored to supplement that
  3. There are lots of good pickups for people with various interests, or those who just want to keep their options open
    1. Observation Deck seems like the real must-have since a lot of the other buys are controllable through it
  4. The structure of the biosphere was a little confusing at first - I thought that there was an island, a void around the island, and a hard shell, and wasn't sure why you'd want to increase the shell thickness, but further reading cleared that up
  5. On the whole, a good pick up, especially considering it only cost 400 CP in the jump, and normally buying warehouse upgrades with CP has a very unfavorable conversion, but in this case, the biosphere purchases all seemed cheaper than they ought to be.
(Builds to come in a separate post due to length restrictions)
submitted by AxstromVinoven to u/AxstromVinoven [link] [comments]


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  6. Study Help Apps: I have over 15+ paid subscriptions to a wide range of study help apps, software, websites, and programs to help me solve exam & homework questions faster and more efficiently. Some of these resources include: Brainly, Chegg, CourseHero, Quizlet, SymboLab & WolframAlpha.
  7. Calculators & Math Software: I have access to a very sophisticated graphing calculator and various mathematical software that provides step-by-step solutions to complex mathematical problems within seconds, allowing me to provide exact solutions to the student in a timely manner.
  8. Test Taking Techniques: I have developed highly effective methods to determine the correct answers to questions that Iโ€™m not already familiar with including process of elimination, working backwards, quickly searching for similar questions online, and utilizing standardized test taking techniques taught only in elite standardized test prep tutoring programs.
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  12. Money Back Guarantee: I have won multiple academic awards for my exceptional skills & expertise in math. I guarantee overall A & B grades for all coursework completed. Plus. I also offer a 50% refund for C+, C, and C- scores, and a full 100% refund for D+, D, D-, and F scores.
HOW I CALCULATE FINAL RATES:
Paid Help from Hiraedu: If You're struggling to handle your comptia or any other WGU Exam or any other coursework, get help from Hiraedu and pay after the exam. Contact details for Hiraedu is: WhatsApp: +1 (213) 594-5657 OR Call: +1 727 456 9641
ABOUT MY RATES & PAYMENT OPTIONS:
CURRENT RATES -- AS OF SUMMER / FALL 2022 -- SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
THE OBLIGATORY "IS THIS A SCAM?" QUESTION:
Considering the fact that you found my contact information online, itโ€™s understandable to be skeptical regarding the legitimacy of my services. Therefore, Iโ€™m willing to do all of the following to help you feel more secure in trusting me with your academic needs:
MY REBUTTAL TO THE OBLIGATORY โ€œIS THIS A SCAM?โ€ QUESTION:
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I consider myself to be at least marginally more intelligent (both academically & socially) than the average person. Therefore, if I ever decided to suddenly risk prison time, risk my reputation, and risk enduring the wrath of modern-day โ€œcancel cultureโ€ by scamming people out of their money:
Paid Help from Hiraedu: If You're struggling to handle your comptia or any other WGU Exam or any other coursework, get help from Hiraedu and pay after the exam. Contact details for Hiraedu is: WhatsApp: +1 (213) 594-5657 OR Call: +1 727 456 9641
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