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Drake's pattern of predatory behavior towards minor is undeniable - and there's a mountain of proof

2024.05.08 20:42 DyingOnHills Drake's pattern of predatory behavior towards minor is undeniable - and there's a mountain of proof

What about your relationship with Drake, tell me about your friendship, how did this all come about?

Millie Bobby Brown:

I love him. I met him in Australia and he's honestly so fantastic and a great friend and a great role model. You know we text - we just texted each other the other day and he was like "I miss you so much" and I was like "I miss you more". He's coming to Atlanta, so I'm definitely gonna go and see him and I'm so excited.

Interviewer 2:

You and Drake? That's awesome. That's awesome..

Interviewer:

What advice does he give you? What does he say?

MMB:

About boys he helps me, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah he's great. He's wonderful, I love him.

Interviewer:

What's his advice with boys?

MMB:

Ehm, you know.. That stays in the text messages.

I'm sure it's obvious what is wrong here and I don't need to spell it out for any of you, but I do have one thing to add. If Drake is giving advice about boys and telling her "I miss you so much" they must have talked for a while. It's not something you say after knowing a person for a week. We are talking months at least. There's 7 months between her birthday and the interview - did Drake already start talking to her when she was 13? It would make sense that Drake was in Australia during their summer (Dec-Feb) for festivals/concerts/vacation.
Millie has only commented on this once which was a few days later in a story on Instagram
I don't want or mean to infantilize her, but she was 14. She would have no chance of knowing if Drake actually was grooming her. There's not a chance that she could understand the dynamic at play and why it's wrong at that age.
Drake also defended their friendship on the song Another Late Night when he raps:

Weirdos in my comments talkin' 'bout some Millie Bobby, look
Bring them jokes up to the gang, we get to really flockin'

Ironically enough that very same song is also connected to the next person
BILLIE EILISH
The year after the Millie Bobby Brown controversy Drake gets caught texting a minor again and this time it's Billie Eilish. She does a yearly interview with Vanity Fair, and in the 2019 version she's asked who's her most famous contact in her phone. That's when she reveals she's been texting with Drake and that he's so very nice to her. Billie is at the time of the interview (released 25. November 2019) 17 (born 18. December 2001).
Billie did defend Drake and their texting in an interview with Vogue ~3 months later:

“The internet is such a stupid-ass mess right now,” says Eilish, who quit Twitter in 2018. “Everybody’s so sensitive. A grown man can’t be a fan of an artist? There are so many people that the internet should be more worried about. Like, you’re really going to say that Drake is creepy because he’s a fan of mine, and then you’re going to go vote for Trump? What the fuck is that shit?”

On the song Another Late Night where Drake mentions Millie Bobby Brown, Lil Yachty is featured (one of Drake's gho.. co-writers) and he raps the line:

I let her go, she fine as hell but baby wasn't stylish (Yeah)
She had big tits like Billie Eilish but she couldn't sing (Drip)

Now - I know this is not Drake, I just thought it was a 'funny' coincidence that these two women are connected through their shared experiences with Drake and this song. On another note some might say that Drake should have asked Yachty to omit this line if he really was a friend of Billie Eilish since she has been quite vocal about sexualization of herself and women in general.
BELLA HARRIS
This one is pretty fucking bad in my opinion. Bella Harris is the daughter of Jimmy Jam who's a record producer, songwriter etc. and has been very successful. Through him she's been in and around the entertainment/music business her whole life and met Drake that way.
There's an archive of photos posted here that contains the old IG posts she had with Drake. The first one was on May 5th, 2016 - Bella Harris is born 20. April, 2000. She had just turned 16 at the time.
Objectively I think they are defendable since they are all music related - Rihanna concert, Summer Sixteen Tour (ironic name..) and the American Music Awards, but then two years later they reportedly start dating and that makes it really difficult to believe, especially with the last archived photo of them in 2018. Also the same photo that is referenced in this article talking about Drake renting an entire restaurant for an intimate dinner between them.
Note that E! have confirmed it and are not backing down on their claim despite Harris denying it on Instagram.
Her father liked this post on Instagram about the whole situation. It's not particular to the restaurant or previous potential dating it's more so a general declaration of support for Drake, but that includes the PDF-file allegations.
Him supporting Drake made me search for more information, because I wanted to find whether or not he had spoken about it at the time. That led me to this article where her mother, Lisa, is being asked a few questions regarding Bella.

I was surprised Jimmy Jam hasn't introduced Bella to Drake, Rihanna or anybody else in the music world she is interested in meeting.
"No," said Lisa. "She loves Rihanna, she loves Beyoncé. [Bella has met Bey; her brother Max has met Ri-Ri.] She hasn't met Drake. Too old."

Lisa Harris about a photo of Bella (included in the article) - Bella is 14, almost 15 at the time.

I think Drake would behave himself around a child, even one dressed like this, to wit: Mom doesn't think this photo is too sexy, in all its legginess?
"SHE'S WEARING A BATHING SUIT and a coat!" said Lisa. "Sexy? What? My point is it's a body business, so I don't look at it [that way]. It's a posed picture. She has a one-piece bathing suit on. It's artistic."

KYLIE JENNER
Ever since the Kanye (also fuck Kanye for the record) vs. Drake beef we (or I at least) became aware of the fact that Drake has had a long relationship with the Kardashians/Jenners and known them for many, many years. In fact Drake performed at Kylie's sweet 16 back in 2013. You know what that Sweet 16 was specifically remembered for as well? Drake kissing Kylie on the cheek in front of everyone, including her then boyfriend Jaden Smith.
That's not out of the ordinary and would be very normal, if it wasn't for the clear pattern that is going on here, because guess what - 6 years later Drake and Kylie reportedly start dating, well.. dating/fucking/whatever you wanna call it. Admittedly this article is easily dismissed as paparazzi journalism and clickbait, but what if I told you that Drake has rapped this:

Yeah, I’m a hater to society/Real shit, Kylie Jenner that’s a side piece/Yeah, I got 20 muthafuckas in’ Kylies.

You probably wouldn't have heard it, since it was on an unreleased track played on an Instagram Live back in 2020, but it does make it seem pretty likely that he did actually hook up with her, especially considering the response Drake posted

“A song that mark ran last night on night owl sound live set shouldn’t have been played,” he wrote, “It’s a song that leaked 3 years ago and got scrapped shortly after. He was just going too deep in the drake/future catalogue. Last thing I’d want to do is wake up having any friends of mine feeling disrespected so I just had to say that to start off the day.”

Kylie was 22 at the time they reportedly hooked up.
HAILEY BALDWIN (NOW BIEBER)
In 2016 there were reports that Hailey and Drake were dating. Apparently they hooked up at a party that Drake hosted, where another attendee is also mentioned that seems oddly relevant:

Drake and Hailey weren't the only ones getting close, with Kylie Jenner and rumoured new boyfriend PartyNextDoor were seen "making out" at the party.
"It was almost like she was trying to make a statement," an insider added.

Now again - there's nothing illegal in a 11 year age difference and dating a 19-year old as 30. It's weird, yes. But again we come back to the pattern. Why do Drake know Hailey? Through their similar friends and friend group (Kardashians/Jenners). How long has Drake known Hailey? Well, when Hailey was 19, she said they had known each other for a long time.
We can actually get even closer with certainty since we know that Hailey attended Kylie's Sweet 16 in August, 2013. Hailey is born 22. November 1996, so she was also 16 at the time. So it's another girl that Drake has known since she was a minor and started dating when he got the opportunity. This is not normal.
Another pattern that Drake also seem to follow is that likes to hook up with his friends girl. We know for a fact that he hooked up with Lil Wayne's girlfriend while he was in prison. He not only rap about it, but also admit it in an interview. It's not really hard to believe that he did the same with Bieber.
CYDNEY CHRISTINE (LIL CC)
Cydney Christine is a beatmaker and model - she produced the Drake song Money In The Grave and in a Complex interview/roundtable she talks about it and Drake.

Really the only artist I reached out to is Drake. I'd never met him, never spoke to him, I don't know why, but he has been following me for the past like 6 years. I don't know why..

This interview was uploaded 17. December 2019, Cydney Christine's is born 21. July, 1997, meaning she was 22 at the time of the interview and 15-16 when Drake started following her. This is somewhat innocent but strange since Drake is 27 at the time. That's not what is really weird though.
In March 2023, Lil CC is on the No Jumper podcast and here she speaks about Drake and having her debut beat being a Drake single.
Lil CC: I played basketball, right, so he really was a fan or not a fan, sorry, supported one of my teammates at the time um..
Adam 22: And this is when you are in high school?
Lil CC: Yeah, in high school. So he was a fan of women's basketball - high school basketball - I was her teammate so he followed me because of her, and I was like "oh shit, bitch, you got Drake to follow me, like what the hell? Like that's so crazy". So he followed me and I lost it - I have to meet Drake, I love Drake, I've always loved Drake, still love Drake.
There's more to the conversation, but the relevant part is here is that it's just very, very strange for Drake to be a women's high school basketball fan. They are 16 at the time. He's a supporter of a 16 year old female high school basketball player as a 27 year old grown adult man. He has not hooked up with her, dated or anything of the sorts that we know of or that she has told - for the record.
AALIYAH
It's not like I have whole section for this, but his obsession with Aaliyah is just another part of the pattern. I don't have a lot to contribute here, but if you don't know Aaliyah's story I'd recommend reading her Wikipedia and specifically the section about her personal life. If you think that 'obsession' is too strong a word for how much Drake admires her, I think you should take a look at this Complex article from 2018 and reconsider.
UNCONFIRMED STORIES
(I will continuously update it whenever I find or get sent new information to add here.)

Back in 2021 Drake was being exposed on TikTok for his 'private Tinder' where one of his guys would go out and the hottest girls in town, interview them and find the one that Drake would like the best.

“He finds the girls and then he interviews them, and out of all the girls he interviews, he picks the one that he thinks is the best,” she continued. “Then, he drives her to Drake’s place, Drake has sex with her, and then he drives her home. So, basically, Drake has his own private Tinder.”

This girl explaining how her friend was invited by Drake's crew and she was brought along as a +1. No ID check, very young girls. Worth a watch: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonestrauss/video/7365696116085591304
This reddit post - yes I know this is 'so easy to just say', but I think the poster was very right by pointing this out:

I'm sure you guys won't believe me, but this is the type of situation where someone vanishing and telling you is the best you'll get.

This YouTube comment about a girl claiming to be a victim of trafficking in Toronto in 2015 and that Drake had ties in all these circles.
This article from 2016, where Drake and his buddy get aggressive with an amateur photographer for taking pictures of Drake and two women. This isn't strange in and of itself, but then there's this post from 2018

From the article:

The mystery women were dressed identically in matching white parkas, skinny tan pants, tan boots and ponytail hairstyles.

From the post:

Maybe this foreign born one named A+ list singerapper should have told the whole story about his split with a fellow foreign born A+ lister. How she caught him more than once with another woman and his fascination for watching porn involving women wearing pigtails.

This post

This foreign born A+ list singerapper asked for all kinds of photos from not only the 18 year old he is dating but at least two other 18 year old females and he didn't make sure they were 18 before he started asking.

This post

That teen, who was topless in the dressing room of this foreign born A+ list singerapper last night was nowhere in the ballpark of being legal.

This one is fucking WEIRD - some guy was jerking off and noticed something. Now there's plenty of reasons as to why they would do this, it's porn and they need a story. But then there's this post from 2017:

This one named foreign born A list rapper is going around telling porn stars he is starting his own porn company. It is just his excuse to have sex with them all and not pay.
Drake

This Twitter post/video of UK rapper Potter Payper calling out Drake for messaging 'bare young girls in England'.
This entire thread is weird to say the least. More CDAN rumors as well. Read the thread, it's too much to paste and explain here.
Drake paid out $350K to sexual assault accuser - Drake initially filed a lawsuit against Layla Lace/Laquana Morris for civil extortion, fraud, defamation, abuse of process and intentional infliction of emotional distress strongly implying he's innocent - but why pay someone $350.000 then?

The former stripper and Instagram model wrote: "Drake forced me to perform oral on him. It wasn't your ordinary oral it was more so a fetish." She then describes how he told her to spit into a cup "until he had measured it."

This comment about a model claiming Drake 'made girls puke in dog bowls for him'. Now that's a typical thing you can dismiss as a rumor, but the same guy commented 16 days ago and said this:

If Kendrick mentions anything about dog bowls or birthday parties in Toronto, then shit is more serious than we thought

This interview of Aya (Born 24. April 2007) (a 'dancer' in Ice Spice - Deli and probably known for other things I just don't know her) where she's asked about having sex with Drake. She said she can't speak on it because of 'court'.
This Tweet of a guy talking about his experiences in high school and the hottest girls posting from Drake's mansion and being followed by him "every single time".

LYRICS, REFERENCES, TWEETS, PICTURES, TIES
(Again - Feel free to share with me and I'll add it.)

On the song Nice For What Drake raps:

You got a baby Benz, you got some bad friends
High school pics, you was even bad then

This Tweet

"If amazing was a young bitch I'd be going to jail...cause I'm fucking amazing" - Me

This image of Drake and Malone from Drake's Instagram that's been deleted now. Malone is infamous for impregnating a 13 year old when he was 20.
On the song The Heart Part 6 Drake raps:

Just for clarity, I feel disgusted, I'm too respected
If I was fucking young girls, I promise I'd have been arrested
I'm way too famous for this shit you just suggested

Also on the song The Heart Part 6 Drake raps:

Only fuckin' with Whitneys, not Millie Bobby Browns, I'd never look twice at no teenager

His connection to Baka Not Nice who Drake is very close with.

In 2014, Baka was arrested and charged with forcing a 22-year-old woman into prostitution and taking her money. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman and an unrelated weapons charge.

Adel Nur who has very close business ties to Drake. He's executive producing the show Euphoria together with Drake and they co-own some shady companie(s). Another user went in-depth on their connection here.

(DIS)HONORABLE MENTION
I know people say Jorja Smith, and I do agree that dating a 19-year old as a 30-year old man is weird and rather pathetic, but every other girl mentioned is related to minors. Their relationship if you can call it that was for sure toxic, and it seems like Drake was a piece of shit abusing the power dynamic between them. This is taken from the Drizzy subreddit, but I can't provide the source since that gets the post blacklisted as it's temporarily banned because of brigading.

In “Summer Games” Drake also says ”I kept it decent, even the secrets, kept it between you and I”. What secrets exactly? Well in Jaded, Drake says this woman “told him all her insecurities”.
It’s also interesting that the song “Summer Games” is about a woman who broke up with Drake right at the beginning of the summer. Drake and Jorja were dating in April of 2017 which is right before the summer starts and only lasted a couple weeks.

But that's all there is to it. I can't dig up anything else, so unless someone have something credible with sources, I don't think there's good enough reason to add her to the list further up.
FINAL NOTE
I know there's questions about the reliability of CDAN and that he was exposed, but in the very same article The Daily Beast refers back to one of their old articles on the subject which definitely confirms that he had/have industry ties and do know a lot. Another reddit user dove further in and made some compelling arguments.
If you have anything to add, please post it in the comments and if credible/sourced I'll put it in the post. If I got anything wrong please correct me and I'll edit it. If you have sources that contradict anything in the post, please also share them with me and I'll include them.
Please share this anywhere you want. I don't care about credit. If any media outlets wants to use it for their article or whatever, please do - feel free. You do not need to ask permission.

submitted by DyingOnHills to DarkKenny [link] [comments]

2024.05.08 18:44 NathanHarker_5408 The Death of Haruki Fujita by Nathan Harker: A Short Story

“Wake the fuck up, man.”
Haruki Fujita slipped out of a hallucination. The hallucination was mindless. It featured a name moments before something killed him, extraterrestrial and horrible from head to toe. Slimy and predatory. The most of it cybernetic. He was dying, with blood gushing out of his neck, but that wasn’t what killed him, at least not immediately, because his intestines were pulled out of his stomach, and that was what killed him.
He watched the blue solar panel wing curve outward from the steel hull of the International Space Station, and he frowned bitterly. From the sensation of death, Haruki Fujita had a sickening gut feeling.
“Stefan Bossi!” he cried out, alarmed.
The name lingered in his mind. He remembered it from his hallucination. He idly watched one of his gloves floating across the room and stopped in front of his computer screen. No reason was known to him why he remembered that name; he remembered nothing more. There was a brief rush—he had time to think about programming languages and decoding radio frequencies, though none of the government organizations he hacked into proved extraterrestrial in origin, but Haruki was convinced by the bizarre nature of the sounds. He didn’t really care about the scientists at SETI, many doctors, and the best professors in the world who regarded them as a hoax. And those who didn’t view the evolution of Earth from an intergalactic perspective that was terraformed over billions of years by otherworldly entities.
“Stefan Bossi!” he said again, grabbing the floating glove with his cold hand and looked at it, trying to decide the significance of the name from his hallucination. Instantly he felt his fingers were freezing from the cold. As Haruki watched the storage bay where he was hiding, his fingers slipped into the glove and strapped the Velcro. “Stefan Bossi! Stefan Bossi!” It seemed to be all he could remember.
Even trapped in the confusing vise of the illusion, Haruki felt an intense fear—this was what an extraterrestrial predator looked like while it slaughtered him. It was a look that filled him with horror.
Another radio frequency echoed from his computer, this one echoing like the mating call of a dolphin, and that excited him. With another “Stefan Bossi!” he stared out of the window and watched the sun disappear behind the Earth, he lost focus; and although it was only an hour after bedtime—another exciting six hours while everyone was deep asleep—the red glow of the computer screen had so hindered his thoughts that he was distracted while staring. And he slipped back into that mindless hallucination.
When Haruki managed to wake up, he realized it was hours later, in the bosom of the night. He glimpsed over the UPS batteries and saw a loose terminal that looked like a collection of fireflies floating in the antigravity of space.
After a while, he hovered upright and spoke.
“Stefan Bossi!”
Incredibly, he did not know why.
Haruki swallowed and looked at the wall, thinking: I’m going to die.
For a moment his mind seemed to separate from his physical body—it was not fear, or angst; it was terror. He was reminded by the physical sense of nausea as he swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth, and it occurred to him that he had just experienced a completely new level of fear.

The first argument about faith in the Fujita household—the first one Haruki got a hiding for, at least—happened on an Easter weekend in April. It was a big argument; even the greatest spanking couldn’t change his mind. Only his stepbrother shared his sentiment; Nic Chagall was in the bathroom brushing his teeth and listening to his sulking. This was fortunate because, in those days, there was no way to get ungrounded by a Japanese father.
The circumstances that, slipping out of a deep trance at night onboard the ISS, Haruki had spoken aloud a name that he had no memory of. And it hardly aroused enough curiosity to investigate the phenomenon.
Weird he thought, and got a little shiver; as if to confirm the opinion that the vision was indeed supernatural, he slipped into a trancelike daze. He realized with blank, distant eyes that for the first time the hallucination was no longer mindless.
Now he was walking onboard an abandoned spaceship pondering why the microgravity did not affect his arms and legs; he became aware that he was being watched from the shadows of the spaceship.
Haruki looked around quickly and saw a strange light with a red glow. He would have closed his eyes, but it fascinated him, and now it felt as if he had no idea where to go or why he was there; he did not know. Everything seemed so natural and real, as is the case with hallucinations. The revelation of being onboard an alien ship stopped bothering him, and the questions faded.
He screamed very loudly—the light must have done something to him because he could not remember being able to hear himself, and his lips didn’t twitch.
Soon, he came to a parting of ways; he saw a staircase leading to the lower deck, which had the appearance, in fact, of having long been abandoned. He sensed it led to something evil, yet he went down without hesitation, urged by some unstoppable force. He swallowed and descended the staircase, now convinced that the spaceship was haunted by invisible existences that he could not picture in his mind.
“What?” From behind the giant steel columns on his lefthand side, he heard broken and incoherent echoes of a radio frequency that he somewhat recognized. It sounded to him like fragmentary utterances of an evil conspiracy against his body and mind.
He swallowed again, holding onto the handrailing to steady himself. Haruki pointed at something lurking in the darkness, now believing it was watching him—an apparition so utterly intergalactic that he felt a pause in his breathing and a chill in his bones.
But for a long time, nothing came. He wanted to know why the haunted spaceship through which he journeyed was lit with a red glimmer having no point of origin. It appeared as if the mysterious light didn’t cast a shadow, and he thought about its neon color. Everything seemed a little brighter now, and he stood rooted with that cold feeling squeezing his lungs that reminded him of the alien presence.
A shallow pool in a bent depression met his eyes with a sloppy mess. He tumbled forward and plunged with his gloves into it and then looked at the thick slime of juices and placenta on his fingers with a different kind of horror.
Slime, he then observed, was around him everywhere. The walls towering grimly on either side revealed it in blots and splashes on the big, rusted panels. Bundles of sloppy racks that stretched over the walkways were hoarded with conductor cables and splattered as with placenta—glowing red. Robbing the place of its significance covered in heaps of crimson, slime dangling like slurry with its coagulations.
Sweat ran down his forehead and burned his eyes. He tasted a mixture of salt and minerals in his mouth. The shivering would not stop. Fear was like the ultimate curse. He thought: There is a point where the physical symptom of fear becomes unbearable: I have passed that point already.
It felt as if everything was in compensation for some crime that he could not remember. He believed he was a person of integrity; if he had murdered someone he would have remembered it, and a little introspection would have revealed the person he had supposedly harmed. The discovery of the menaces and mysteries of his surroundings was an added horror, tracing his steps backward in his mind.
And just how vainly could he reproduce the moment of his wrongdoing, here standing knee-deep in the slime? But suddenly the memories flashed tumultuously into his brain, picture after picture, only causing confusion and obscurity, and in no picture could he catch a glimpse of what he had done wrong.
But just because it hadn’t been remembered didn’t mean it didn’t happen. This failure to conceive only heightened his terror; he felt like a failure who had lost something in the dark without knowing what.
He grabbed his knees, shuddering,
(think of a way to kill yourself, think of a way to make it stop)
and sank his gloves into his spacesuit as hard as he could. He looked down, weak and flimsy knees rattling like a dog, tongue stuck into his cheek, and his posture heavily slanted with baleful character. It felt as if everything in sight conspired against his peace; from overhead and all around came the audible and startling echoes: the growl of a creature so obviously from outer space—that he could take it no more, and with a great effort to break the curse that bound his arms and legs to procrastination, he shouted from the depths of his lungs.
“Reveal yourself!”
His voice echoed with a hollow clang, it went stuttering and stammering, but of course he could not know what evils might lurk on the ship. He would only assume that, because his voice broke and echoed into an infinite multitude of unfamiliar sounds, the ship must have been large enough to have traveled from another galaxy or dimension.
I will not go down without a fight. There may be frequencies that are malignant and haunting this accursed ship. I shall decipher them and blot them down. The monster shall forget about my wrongs, the suffering that I endure—I, a worthless astronaut, a medic, and a computer programmer!
Haruki removed a flashbeam from his spacesuit; it felt warm when he switched it on. He pointed the beam at the wall and heard intimidating radio frequencies echoing against the steel.
Why, yes, I shall take off my glove—dip it into a heap of slime and write against the wall.
He had hardly touched the surface of the steel with his finger when a wild, evil reverberation of growling broke out at a considerable distance behind him, and growing ever louder, seemed approaching ever nearer. It was a soulless, heartless, and unpleasant growl, like that of a predator terrorizing its prey. It was a growl which culminated in an unearthly roar close at hand, then died away by slow gradations. Maybe the accursed being that uttered it had retreated over the shimmer back to the dimension where it had come from. But maybe this was not the case—it might still be nearby and ready to attack at any moment. Fuck knows he spent a long time waiting for something to happen.
You should be moving, Fujita.
Maybe walking, maybe running. Either way it was better than just standing there and doing nothing.
A strange sensation began to take possession of his body and his mind. He could not have said which, if any, of his senses were affected; he experienced it as a hunch—an unconscious mental awareness of some extraterrestrial presence—some alien malevolence different in kind from the visible existences that glitched around him, and superior to humans in power. He knew that it had uttered that hideous growl. And now it felt as if it was approaching him; from what direction he had no idea—dared not speculate.
Haruki closed his eyes and stared at the back of his eyelids. All his former fears had combined or amalgamated into a gigantic terror that now held him in thrall. Apart from that, he had but one mission: to convert the frequency stuck in his head into code, echoing the haunted spaceship, before the extraterrestrial monster blessed him with eternal silence. And now he lifted his slimy finger, idly thinking of computer codes such as Java, C++, and R . . .
Should I write it down?
Should I write at all?
A soft, freaky sound escaped his throat. The face of the astronaut was sickly terrified, the pale face now augmented with a plan of action.
His body started to move rapidly, finger oozing slime without renewal, arm waving in the thin air like a graffiti artist. Two minutes later, at the last part of the script, his arm fell to his side, glove to the air. He was powerless and could not move or cry out; he found himself staring at a wall of illegibly written script, the code representative of the ultimate frequency haunting this spaceship. At that moment Haruki almost believed it: that he was earmarked for death.
He had never been so scared in his life.
The symbols were glowing against the reddened wall written at an angle, the slime, and the acrid smell of the place. He clamped his teeth against each other and tried to focus his mind on what he had written; the code was all he could think of.

Haruki Fujita heard footsteps in the hall. He grabbed a blanket from the bottom of his bed and used it to cover his stepbrother, who was bundled up and lying naked with his knees pulled up to his chest, shivering.
Their father came out of the dark to switch off their light. His wife followed, passed the room with a bottle of wine, and headed down the hall. Haruki lay silent for a moment, not moving, he was aware that something important and significant was being celebrated of which they were not informed. The door of their room closed softly against the clip as his father pulled it. Then came the sound of shouting.
“You’ve bought another Porsche,” his mother said.
“The hospital pays for it, you know,” Chin Fujita replied.
Haruki heard her footsteps march up and down the room before she went to the bathroom and opened the water to wash her hands.
“You are wasting our time on Haruki.”
“No, honey, he will become a doctor someday.”
“What about my boy?”
“He’s not interested, but I think he will pass his exam next week and become a medic like Haruki. I can tell from his aptitude tests, and his EQI is off the charts.”
“Another Porsche, I can’t believe it?”
“I know. You weren’t supposed to find out. It was a surprise. I got the GT3-RS for you; that explains the black.”
Haruki could have cared less about his father wasting his money on that bitch of stepmother. Not giving a fuck was good, but—
“What did I do to deserve another black beauty? No really—is it mine?”
The sound of broken glass woke Nicklaus up. Now looking at the swimming pool in his room, he said, “They’re fighting again . . . Haruki. It’s going to be a long night if they cannot sort out their shit.”
“Are you awake?”
Nic raised his head, which was tucked under the blanket, and kissed Haruki on the forehead.
“You should tell him about your talent.”
“I have absolutely no talent.”
“But you are good at computer programming. I can see the character of Mister Anderon from the movie in you.”
That was when Haruki grew excited. “I would like to make my hero proud.”
“You have lived in the Matrix for your entire life—by which you have become a prodigy and a part-time hacker.”
Maybe even a carbon copy.
“That is nice of you, Nicky. I’m glad you are proud of me since he is on the point of giving up, calling me the family disgrace, and long since dubbed me a worthless gamer. That bitch thinks I am a black sheep and says that I have a psychological imbalance, whatever that means. She said that I have missed my vocation to become a doctor.”
“But you are smart, like your dad. I like it that you are a devoted cybernetic criminal.”
“A hacker sounds better—”
And another glass broke in the room next to them. Their father opened the balcony door, probably to smoke a cigarette. When Haruki looked up this time, he saw joy and excitement on his stepbrother’s face. He was only two years younger, after all. Nic gave him a playful smile, then went back under the blanket where he could finish what he had started.
“Nicky, for God’s sake—stop it and try to focus—”
Yet it had always bothered Haruki that they were stepbrothers. Although Nic was a devoted fan of the great Keanu Reeves so generally and justly admired for his hair. Nic had always taken care to conceal his weakness from all eyes but those who shared his passion. And their common profession as medics was an added bond between them.
Maybe Nic will understand if I tell him the truth. He cannot come with me to New York.
He toyed for a moment with a lock of Nic’s hair which had escaped from its pins, and said, with an effort of calmness in his voice:
“Would you be okay with me leaving for a few months to look for a job, Nicky?”
It was clearly needful for Nic to put his arm across his eyes without making an instant reply. Evidently he would mind; and the tears sprang into his large brown eyes as corroborative testimony.
“Ah, my brother,” he replied, looking up at his face with tenderness, “I knew this was coming. Did I not lie awake half of the afternoon weeping because, during the other half, Keanu Reeves had come to me in a dream.”
It was the great actor, Haruki Fujita would know if his stepbrother was lying, which he wasn’t.
“Neo?” he whispered. His lips were beginning to shiver again, but in the dim light of the swimming pool Nic barely noticed.
“Yes, and standing next to the computer screen—young, too, and handsome as in the first movie—pointed to your picture on the wall? I could not see your face when I looked since you were uploaded into the Matrix, such as at the end of the flick. You can smile at this, but you and I, dear, know that such things are no joke.”
Haruki’s life would be in trouble not because he was uploaded into the program but because his face was missing (and so he believed it to be an actual dream); why the hero would point to his picture on the wall baffled his mind.
“And I saw within the glowing code the wound of a blade on your throat, Haruki—forgive me, but we do not hide things from each other. Perhaps you have another interpretation. Perhaps it does not mean that you will go away. Or maybe you will take me with you?”
“I think it foreshadowed a simpler, surely less tragic, meaning like a visit to the great robot city in Zion. But please don’t try to stop me from leaving.”
“Are there not enough medics in New York?” Nic Chagall continued before his stepbrother could stop him— “Trinity discovered the truth with a broken heart? Look—my chest is ripped open; and I am almost sure that I will die in your absence.”
No—not like this.
Too sad.
Might break them apart.
The throbbing in his chest was more persistent; the next moment Haruki held out his hands but he was afraid that Nic would reject his request for affection. His hands lingered. There was a brief interval of silence. It sounded like their parents were making out again. It was warming up according to their breathing, but if his suspicions were correct, they would go on for the rest of the night. Nic refused to take his hands.
How long before his cold hands revealed the pain in his heart and his emotional scars manifesting in the form of tears, the hacker was unable to cry. How long before they would see each other again?
Three months? A year?
That would be the length of his pain, Haruki thought, and his lips began to shudder. By the time his lips stopped shaking, and it was not until a considerable time later that he realized he would have to leave his brother behind.
“I suppose I’ll have to go.”
Watching Nic, he felt the warmth of his affection for him that his blank expression denied. The weight pressed heavily on his shoulders as he watched his stepbrother cope with it in his own kind of way.

While job hunting in downtown Brooklyn after three months, Haruki was taking cover under a bridge one thunderstorm night, waiting for his weed to be delivered. The storm was well underway now, and no longer raining but pouring. He believed he understood the economic difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic—since he hadn’t found a job yet—but as the homeless people kept multiplying (he could see more and more people each week), he began to gain a different perspective in terms of earning an honest paycheck.
To his right, through the maze of squatters and bonfires toward the parking lot, he saw a black Lincoln Continental. Haruki noticed a driver with white hair holding the steering wheel like a woman (shit, he thought, she looked exactly like the driver from The Matrix) with her long nails and black leather jacket.
“What the hell?” he asked, sounding smoked as usual.
The car first drove around and then pulled right up to him. He thought of asking the driver if she had also ordered some weed—her eyes were looking mighty red—and decided he didn’t want to have that conversation now. He turned his attention toward the backseat where another woman with a crying baby had been watching him. At first he thought she looked familiar. Then he looked again and saw she was actually a transvestite, rocking the baby in his arms.
“You need to come with us,” the transvestite said. “We heard you are looking for a job?”
“We don’t have much time, Elon,” the driver added.
He thought of Nic back home and imagined he would make his stepbrother proud when breaking the news. He resisted the urge to question the man about the job . . . or even ask them who they were. His clever plan to look for a job in the big city was pretty screwed up and turned out to be a great mistake.
The crying increased, louder.
“We are subcontracting for NASA,” Elon said. He showed his badge to prove it.
“Really?”
“Come.”
“Now?”
“You know we are the real deal, right?”
“Shit, no. I didn’t expect it to happen like this.” Failing to hide the doubt on his face. Or the glimmering sweat on his forehead. Maybe from the weed or the rain. Maybe both.
“Your father said you’re the best medic in the field, but legislation makes it impossible with your qualifications. Your father has pulled some strings for you to work through us. The danger pay is good. Since you’ll be working in space.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“No, really.”
“Space?”
“You will be working on the International Space Station for three months on and three months off, both of you.”
Haruki didn’t hear it. Till it registered. “Both?”
“Both of the Fujita boys will be going to space!”
Haruki brightened. NASA also recruited his stepbrother to join the crew, and two weeks later, the two brothers were reunited in the microgravity of space.
Though happy to be together, Haruki was no less proud in spirit that he had been onboard the ISS for weeks that felt like an eternity. He gladly enjoyed the company of his stepbrother, and it was while living onboard the ISS, awaiting news and orders from ground control, that he had slipped into a trance.

The hallucination came back to Haruki Fujita, haunting enough, as he stood on board the spaceship with his back against the reddened wall, hands at his side. He had to lift his head upward slightly to confront his enemy. Well . . . actually, he had to lift his head more than slightly. The thing was large. So large that he couldn’t even see the extraterrestrial beast. In case you didn’t notice the predator reminds me of Nicky, but ten times more horrible! A monster that stirred no love nor longing in my heart, but strangely its presence evoked pleasant memories of my happy childhood—with all kinds of sentiment. The tender emotions were swallowed up in fear.
Haruki tried to run away, but his boots were saturated with slime. He was unable to pull his legs out of the mess. His arms drifted uselessly in the air; of his eyes only he remained in control, and these he dared not remove from the glowing ember of his enemy.
He stared at it.
Was it cybernetic?
Shit, it looked like it was.
Anyway, it seemed biological and that most dreadful of all existences—a robot with predatory limbs! In its blank stare, he noticed neither love, pity, nor artificial intelligence—nothing to which he could address an appeal for mercy.
An appeal won’t be a lie, he thought.
The sight of it evoked no happy memories. If he could have reached it he would have grabbed it. If he could have reached it he would have tried to stick his finger into its glowing eye. But his inaction only made the situation more terrifying with the red glow on his forehead.
For a time, which seemed so long that the Earth grew bleak with crime and murder, and the haunted ship, having miscalculated its destination in this monstrous height of its terrors, faded out of his consciousness with all its sights and sounds, the predator invaded his space, regarding him with the brutal malevolence of a cybernetic monster.
Quivering with panic, Haruki lifted his head so he could peer into its mouth, double-edged razor blades, rows and rows of them like a predator with a mouthful of fangs chipped but otherwise deadly.
“I see.”
It sat down. The ship rocked a little. Haruki guessed that the beast might weigh as much as thirty tons. It had come from a universe where there were different alloys, shapeshifting metal . . . also advanced composites were used in its construction, some organic materials like flesh and exoskeleton, the biological part of the organism was infected with a wicked cancer.
The monster roared at him, promising annihilation.
He moved back. The monster came forward. That made Haruki very uncomfortable.
“Shit!” Haruki didn’t take any pleasure in the way this was going if not for the brutal nature of his enemy; as solid as a piece of machinery and ferocious, it transformed itself grinning with its one eye missing, about to deliver him to the universe and convert him into stardust.
The thing’s mouth grew sly, confronting him to admit a dirty, dirty secret. Its grin became a smile. Strangely, the venom oozed out of its tongue. This is what it looks like, he thought, if a species faces its ultimate extinction even worse than those robots from the movie. This is what it looks like just before the end of humanity.
“No . . .”
The beast thrust its limbs forward and sprang upon him with outrageous ferocity! The act released Haruki’s physical energy without affecting his willpower to fight back. And his pain was blocked out by an overdose of hydrofluoric acid at the same time something leeched onto his brainstem, his flimsy body and dangling arms powered with a blind, inanimate mind of their own, became weak and puny.
“Not like this . . . I can’t die like this . . . and what about . . . wait!”
For an instant he seemed to see this supernatural contest between an infected robot and a dying human only as a spectator—such fantasies of hallucinations.
He looked at the wall crying like a girl, leaving the predator and its claws to finish him off. Then he regained his willpower almost as if by a leap forward into his body, and the visionary now had an accurate will as alert and fierce as that of the predator.
“Leame dafuckalone!”
He tried to fight back. The hacker’s return. But how can a human compete with a creature of extraterrestrial origins? He supposed a boy who was being killed by an alien monster might feel something like pain as he lay regarding his gushing main artery with a cold surprise. The programmer’s skill is the programmer’s weakness.
“No!” His neck bled like a slaughtered animal. His worthless hands were clasped at his sides.
Despite his struggles—despite his strength and willpower, which seemed wasted in the void of space, he felt the sharp claws thrust into his throat and brain, many times. Falling backward to the sheet metal, he saw through his cracked visor the grey and dusty surface of the Moon within an arm’s reach of his own, and then everything was black. The sounds of the unearthly radio frequencies in the distance—the dolphin’s cry, a sharp, far growl declaring the end, and Hariki Fujita imagined he was dead.

The International Space Station is that kind of place that when you are there, you must take it all in, but after Peggy grabbed Jameson by the arm and ordered him to come with her, there was no time to take it all in. The airlock closed behind them, and Peggy knew they were getting close.
“How far is it?” Jamason asked, as they hovered along, their feet stirring particles of dust in the microgravity beneath their soles.
Peggy looked at him, suspiciously, recalling that he had agreed to go with her without informing ground control of their whereabouts.
“Only a few feet further,” Peggy answered. She led the way toward the old storage bay with its battery banks and electrical inverters, accumulating backup electricity in case of an emergency.
“What is going on,” he said as they hovered through the west hanger where corrosion and dilapidation gradually increased and passed through the narrow arch into the dark, freezing aerospace shadows.
“You know Haruki Fujita?” she said, feeding her companion’s curiosity with as little information as possible. The name was disturbing, and Peggy felt her neck spasm a little.
“The Jap who plays with his stepbrother’s hair? I know him; he ruined a month of my work after the botanicals died from his intrusion. There is an HR complaint lodged against him for interfering with my plants, but ground control refuses to believe it. You will believe me when—”
“I believe you, okay. Because he has been hacking into the servers for a long time. He works at night in the dilapidated capsule.”
“The asshole! So that’s where the acidic atmosphere that killed my plants came from.”
“You might have imagined that NASA’s security checks would have picked up a cybernetic criminal who could hack their instrumentation.”
“The very last person I would have suspected.”
“Yesterday afternoon I was issued a job card to check the battery terminals. To my surprise I found something else in there, I found ‘a computer of him’ in there.”
“So you caught him red-handed?”
“Damn it! He frightened me. Something growled from behind me—it literally gave me goosebumps. I’m lucky that I wasn’t there ten minutes earlier. Oh shit, he was dying, and I thought the blood floating in space was proof enough that I wouldn’t be able to save him.”
Hovering in the cramped hanger shoulder to shoulder, Peggy glanced at him. The boy’s eyes were so dark they seemed black, only by her flashbeam did they turn indigo blue. She noticed her death-grip on the torch, her gloves couldn’t release their hold even consciously.
“I need to show you the body so that we can devise a plan of action,” the engineer explained. “I thought it was safe for us to check out the corpse during the day.”
“Are you sure the Jap is dead?” said the biologist. “The light in there may have obscured your visibility and conclusion. If he was unconscious he might still be alive.”
“Well, he seemed very dead to me.” She glanced sideways at the boy, and felt a flare of disappointment. She knew deep down in her being that Haruki was gone, one of the first dead bodies she ever encountered. She had to admit that such a bloody, gruesome, and unsettling scene she had never seen in all her years as a first aider or electrical engineer.
“Alright,” Jameson said; “we will go and look at him,” and he added, in the words of a caring person, “we should keep this between us—I mean, if young Nic Chagall ever finds out about his stepbrother it would kill him. By the way, I heard the other day that ‘Nic’ was not his real name.”
“What is?”
“I cannot remember. I had lost interest in the introvert, and it did not grab hold in my memory—something like Nicklaus. The medic who enrolled in the space program joined his stepbrother after he was abandoned. But Haruki, on the other hand, had joined in search of extraterrestrial technology. Can you believe that there are people who still believe in aliens nowadays? Clearly you are not a believer.”
“Obviously.”
“But wandering about your faith, what do you believe in then? Your boyfriend mentioned what the name was called and said it was scientific in nature.”
“We don’t have a name yet.” Peggy was reluctant to argue without facts about something so important as that. Bossi bases his beliefs on the Principia Mathematica. Isaac Newton was the founder of a philosophy that was only recently made public. A few fragments of his work provide scientific evidence based on experimentation. But anyhow, here is the storage bay.”
She looked at him sharply to see if he was prepared. His face, however, was wearing an expression of frozen panic. His lips and nostrils were rimmed with deep purple, and there were shadows in his dark eyes, like the shapes of a reptile streaking into two hard lines.
“Lemme show you where I found the body,” she said, “this is the place.”
As the two astronauts made their way through the blood of hovering crimson, they suddenly stopped and lifted their flashbeams to the height of the wall, uttered a low note of surprise, and stood motionless, their eyes fixed upon something weird. As far as Peggy could see the wall was covered with inscriptions, though she did not yet understand what she was looking at. A moment later she moved cautiously forward, aiming for the inverters.
Behind the inverter of an enormous height hovered the spacesuit of another astronaut. Standing silent beside it, Peggy noted such particulars that immediately took her attention—the suit was empty, the body missing, the clothing still inside; whatever most probably and strangely happened to this astronaut must have been unearthly.
The suit floated upon its back, the nametag—Nic Chagall. One arm was twisted in circles, the other stretched, but the latter was ripped off brutally, with the missing piece stuck to the helmet. The other arm was severely bent. The whole attitude of the suit was that of desperate but weak resistance to something.
Nearby drifted the disemboweled stepbrother with his naked finger stretched out, stained and blotched, and the floor had been scribbled with blood into symbols all over the corroded floorplate; next to his suit was unmistakable the footprint of an alien entity.
A glance at the empty spacesuit’s missing glove and boots made the nature of the struggle even more mysterious. While the suit and helmet were clean, the arms and legs were red—almost black. The oxygen hose stuck against an inverter, and the suit was twisted and turned backward, opposite any natural posture.
From behind Haruki’s cracked helmet his eyes had popped, bloody and gruesome. The throat showed horrible penetrations; not mere fingermarks, but lacerations and stab wounds inflicted by animal claws that must have buried themselves in his bleeding flesh, maintaining their terrible grip long after death. His throat, chin, and face were soggy; the material saturated; drops of blood had gathered like condensate inside his visor, bloodstained hair and cheeks.
All this the two astronauts observed without speaking—almost frozen. Then Jameson said:
“Poor Haruki! He got what he deserved.”
Peggy was vigilantly inspecting the storage bay. Her flashbeam was held in both hands and at full brightness, and her gloves were clenched around the handle.
“The work of a murderer,” she said, without removing her eyes from the surrounding inverters. “It was done by Nic—Chagall.”
Something half-hidden by the cable racks behind the inverters caught Peggy’s attention. It was the wall. She looked at it while lifting her flashbeam. It contained the code of computer and upon the entire wall the name “Stefan Bossi.” Written in blood over and over again—scribbled as if in haste barely legible—were the following lines, which Peggy read silently while her companion started scanning the dark confines of the enclosure and hearing a commotion from inside the bloody spiderwebs dangling from the wall.

public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
String originalName = “Stefan Bossi”;
System.out.println(“Original name: “ + originalName);

// Reversing the name
String reversedName = new StringBuilder(originalName).reverse().toString();
System.out.println(“Reversed name: “ + reversedName);

// Converting to uppercase
String upperCaseName = originalName.toUpperCase();
System.out.println(“Uppercase name: “ + upperCaseName);

// Swapping first name with last name
int spaceIndex = originalName.indexOf(‘ ‘);
String firstName

“Bossi Stefan—”
Peggy stopped reading; there was no more to read. The code broke off in the middle of a line.
“What a flawless Java script,” she said, since she was somewhat of a programmer herself. With extraordinary patience she stood looking at the wall.
“Who’s Java?” Jameson asked rather confused.
“Computer code, a script that was written to play around with two words—a very jolly script indeed. Coded in first generation; I know the language. The script repeated my boyfriend’s name, but it must have been by mistake.”
“Your boyfriend?” Jameson said. “Let us go back; we must share this information with ground control.”
Peggy said nothing but nodded in compliance. Staring at the inverter behind the empty spacesuit of the missing astronaut with the oxygen hose entangled, she saw that the absent glove was stuck (or rather glued) to the vertical surface by some slimy substance drooling from the melted plastic. She took her torch to illuminate it into view. It was an oozing mess, and painted on the panel were the hardly decipherable words, “Peggy Lance.”
“Peggy Lance!” exclaimed Jameson, with sudden animation. “Why, that is your name—not Stefan Bossi. And—curse your soul! How it all comes together—the murderer’s name is Peggy Lance!”
“There is something weird going on here,” Peggy said. “I deny anything of the kind.”
There came to them from inside the wall—seemingly from a great distance—the sound of a growl, a high-pitched, frequency, cybernetic echo, which had no more joy than that of a predator prowling at its prey; a growl that originated from far away, closer and closer, distinct, more explicit but brutal, until it faded away outside the audible distance of their hearing; a growl so unnatural, so extraterrestrial, so morbid, that it filled those freaked out astronauts with a sense of dread unspeakable! They did not move their torches nor think of them; the menace of that horrible sound was the kind not to be disturbed by light. As it had originated out of solid metal, to die away grimly; from a culminating frequency that had seemed almost in their head, it retreated into the distance until its soft echoes, cybernetic and mechanical to the last frequency, faded into silence at an immeasurable distance.

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2024.05.08 18:41 NathanHarker_5408 The Death of Haruki Fujita

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2024.05.08 18:34 eitca Exploring the Rich Diversity of South Africa: A Guide to Culture, Cuisine, and Road Trips

https://preview.redd.it/fz53a56pc8zc1.jpg?width=1244&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d02bcef3d3f0862c8c8700b38c801fbe069a3794
South Africa, a land of vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and culinary delights, offers a plethora of experiences for travelers seeking adventure and discovery. From bustling cities to serene countryside, here's a comprehensive guide to the best places to visit in South Africa, along with insights into its culture, food scene, and navigating the roads as a foreigner.

Culture: A Tapestry of Diversity

South Africa's cultural landscape is as diverse as its geography. With 11 official languages and a melting pot of ethnicities, the country celebrates its rich heritage through art, music, and traditions. Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, where you'll encounter a fusion of cultures, from Zulu and Xhosa to Afrikaans and Indian influences.
Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions by attending cultural festivals, such as the vibrant Cape Town Carnival or the colorful Ndebele festivals in Mpumalanga. Visit historical sites like the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island in Cape Town to gain deeper insights into the country's complex past and its journey towards reconciliation.

Cuisine: A Gastronomic Adventure

South Africa's culinary scene is a reflection of its diverse cultural heritage. Indulge in a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds with a fusion of flavors and influences. Sample traditional dishes like Bobotie, a savory minced meat dish with spices and egg topping, or Bunny Chow, a Durban specialty featuring curry served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread.
For seafood lovers, the coastal regions offer an abundance of fresh catches, including crayfish, snoek, and kingklip. Pair your meal with a glass of South African wine, renowned for its quality and variety, or savor a refreshing Rooibos tea, a local herbal infusion.

Best Motorways for Road Trips

Embark on an unforgettable road trip across South Africa's scenic landscapes, where every bend in the road reveals a new adventure. The Garden Route, stretching from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, offers breathtaking views of lush forests, pristine beaches, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
For a taste of the wild, traverse the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, winding through dramatic mountain passes, cascading waterfalls, and the iconic Blyde River Canyon. Along the way, encounter diverse wildlife in Kruger National Park or explore the rugged beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Driving as a Foreigner

Driving in South Africa offers the freedom to explore at your own pace, but it's essential to familiarize yourself with local regulations and road conditions. Foreign visitors can drive in South Africa using their valid driver's license from their home country, provided it's printed in English or accompanied by an official English translation.
While not mandatory, it's advisable to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before arriving in South Africa, especially if your native license is not in English. The IDP serves as a translation of your license and can facilitate communication with law enforcement officials if needed.

Applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in South Africa

To apply for an International Driving Permit South Africa, follow these steps:

Visit the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) website or a local AA office.
Complete the IDP application form and provide the required documentation, including a valid passport, driver's license, and passport-sized photographs.
Pay the applicable fee for the IDP issuance.
Once approved, you'll receive your International Driving Permit, valid for one year.

With your International Driving Permit in hand, you're ready to hit the road and embark on an unforgettable journey through the diverse landscapes and cultural wonders of South Africa.

Conclusion

From the vibrant streets of its cities to the untamed wilderness of its national parks, South Africa offers a captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Whether you're exploring the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, savoring a traditional braai under the African sun, or embarking on a scenic road trip along the Garden Route, South Africa promises an adventure of a lifetime for travelers from around the world.

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2024.05.08 17:19 theconstellinguist Envy Manifestations and Personality Disorders

Crossposting audience: The bad news is there does not seem to be a cure for envy. This is congruent with the recidivism statistics of maladapted/antisocial behavior in narcissists, without which narcissism and those with NPD would not be so socially undesirable. However, there are clear signs that the circuitry of envy is noticeably different than the circuitry of admiration, and that jealousy pathways are similar to addiction and expectation of reward pathways. A neuroeconomic analysis of "I won't win this one without illegal/unethical leveling" may be occurring in the envious, showing there may be insight that could resolve what has been until this point and unresolvable emotion full of frustration and pain at the perceived inferiority these individuals suffer. It is important to study and resolve this to help protect their victims from violence, psychological, and economic abuse, theft, hostage-taking of what is critical to the envied person, and unreasonable dislike that turns into hate crime on a whim. Victims deserve protection (the envious say the opposite) and so we research. Follow this subreddit for the first research-backed subreddit on envy.
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/41333365/Envy_manifestations_and_PD-libre.pdf?1453236236=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DEnvy_manifestations_and_personality_diso.pdf&Expires=1715180407&Signature=Cxz~dJ7gQ8JHTigZ1o7PcamtIeitcouEC-5iUlzNEfEeaB9WxChhk9AAlF0Aow~apXtfB-slMzFJ8EvdungPT6UONjuXHtzUsXBOi9IbYAmO4aIEDGxCHReFCwC2SmkeaxwByeVLHBH~BKRmf63KSNuoWhneA2Y~pdaVSkx6t-DN25uQSAYr8jcHo2fuajbQhUrmq-Ej5FhYZIEDngfJoPt32rM2XQqq6XhD0yCTlLl~xGH6tZ~pfgkZGiJ~7eP8nXbXLidA23kWrMT7t9lBqcB9xkEgdDXVLrjITgRyhern7qdJnHO8vVqsVAZ9kZ3bCjmZirm56TV7O9vNzQzr9w__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
Envy leads to feelings of ugliness or appraisals of ugliness in others, even just “social ugliness” (envy is an unappealing emotion). These are likely to be projected on the one who outs them if outed, as those with envy tend to have addictive patterns that predict projection which is low-pleasure high-pain. Low-pleasure high-pain tends to lead to “pass the buck” behavior in those with low distress tolerance such as those with addictions who can’t withstand the pain of coming down to sobriety.
“Most scholars recognize that would deny they envy someone else since envy is considered socially undesirable; verbal reports are expected to be biased.”
Envy when untreated is more likely to be externalized. Although not directly linked to any given personality disorder, this does match with how narcissists can be separated from non-narcissists by the fact they are most likely to externalize their aggression when in emotional pain.
“On the other hand, envy has been linked to various forms of maladjustment such as interpersonal conflict, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and aggressiveness towards the envied person or their possessions, and even criminal behaviors such as arson, vandalism, assault, and even murder.”
Why some people really struggle with envy and others don’t is strangely unstudied, despite the fact it is behind much of violence, gaslighting and interpersonal cruelty that leads to repeat market failures (war tends to be a market failure for the most people, and for those it benefits, it benefits unstably as they are now at huge risk for reparations etc.).
“Yet there have been very few systematic attempts to examine the individual differences in envy, especially with respect to personality traits that may explain why one person is more envious than another.”
Klein’s theory of envy clearly shows people trying to spoil (gaslight, ruin, make something not really wanted anymore) or take it away in some form.
“Klein’s theory [13] of envy has had a major influence. She defines envy as ‘ the angry feeling that another person possesses and enjoys something desirable - the envious desire to take it away or spoil it.”
Hubback has a different definition, demonstrating benign envy exists, which doesn’t necessarily have a desire to spoil. He cites that the difference between benign and malicious envy is the presence and feeling of hate, which turns benign envy into malicious envy. Only malicious envy shows the impulse to ruin and act of ruining.
‘“Hubback [10] criticizes Klein’s position, stressing the fact envy does not always involve desire to spoil. For him, envy includes three features, ‘the first being desire to get what another person has and enjoys [wanting], the second being that the desire is colored with hate and the third in its later is toned with the impulse to spoil.”
Spielman cites four different parts of envy; (1) emulation–desire to imitate and even surpass a person without much malevolence, (2) narcissistic wound (feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, smallness, or injured self-esteem; in its mild form, disappointment, in its severe form mortification or humiliation), (3) longing for the desired possession (covetousness), and 4) feeling of anger at the possessor (in its mild form, chagrin or discontent, moderate, resentment or ill-will, and the most severe instantiations are spite, maliciousness, malevolence and most notably expressing hate and feelings of hatred, which leads to preparations to harm the person and to try to take what they are jealous of from them…trying to destroy or spoil the envied object).
Envy only happens when someone feels inferior.
“Social comparison theory defines envy as feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that arise when our personal qualities, possessions or achievements do not measure up to someone significant to us.”
There are three proposed preconditions for envy from Salovey and Rodin.
“Salovey and Rodin [22] have proposed three eliciting conditions of envy: 1) negative or esteem diminishing information about one’s self relative to another person 2) high self-relevance of that information and 3) high similarity to or [perceived] close relationship to that person.” (Not always actual close relationship; many envious people show serious signs of delusions, such as those that compare themselves to celebrities or celebrities that aren’t in contact with other celebrities but still comparing themselves to them before contact).”
When people perceive they are losing power to someone else, that is mostly when envy starts to get aggressive.
“Rather, envy will more likely result when an individual’s current self-evaluation (positive or negative) is threatened by a social comparison to someone more successful, or when they perceive an erosion of their social position [20]. The behaviors associated with envy (e.g. backbiting or belittling the rival) may be an attempt to prevent self-diminution.”
The collective consensus is that belittling what is clearly seen in another is a clear sign of envy, yet, people seem to struggle to identify this out in the field or “in the wild” so to speak, unable to sift obviously envious feedback from obviously non-envious feedback, envious feedback cloaked in a seething false genuinity from feedback that is genuinely sincere.
“Silver and Sabini [29] tested the hypothesis by showing videotapes in which actors were describing their success or failure in trying to gain admission into medical school. In the standard scenario in which one actor was admitted while another was not, and the unsuccessful belittled the character of the successful person, or disparaged his success, 92% of subjects spontaneously perceived envy.”
Comparison starts when someone’s position feels threatened. If comparison is suggested, that means the person initiating the comparison is likely to be doing slightly worse and starting to grab at straws to restabilize the position.
“Dakins and Arrwood [4] have found that competitive comparisons (perhaps resulting in envy) are more likely to occur when similar others perform slightly better than oneself.”
If negative feedback from the one someone is envious seems to be really sticking with someone or have high effect, it is because of self-relevance; this person is, whether or not they admit it, someone they know to be similar to them. Part of envy may be trying to keep distance while from that distance doing things clearly in relation to that self-relevance.
“Individuals also seem more sensitive to feedback obtained from others similar to them. It is these persons’ accomplishments that are more likely to demean us.”
The keeping the distance is meant to avoid the detection that the envious person is envious which the following around for purposes of comparing themselves clearly reveals.
“As Silver and Sabini [30] have pointed out, “Since the an attribution of envy presupposes the person has been diminished or at least that he perceives this to be the case (much of envy’s aggression is relieving perceived diminishment) to be seen as envious is doubly damaging. Not only have we committed a ‘sin’ but we have tacitly acknowledged our own inferiority. Considering this, people find it very difficult to admit that they envy someone else…subjects indicated they would be much more likely to feel embarrassed if others knew they were envious.”
Removal or destruction of the envied object or quality is malicious envy.
“Envy is seen as nastier than most ‘sins’.” It is safe to say when something just inordinately horrifying happens to someone, it is motivated by envy.
Envious people, when it becomes clear they cannot possess the desired object or quality, try to destroy it.
“It is the reason why in rage and suffering, the envious person prefers to destroy what he is not able to possess.”
People often do not admit their envy, but the researchers wrote out other ways to see it is present regardless.
“A person is seen as envious when his action is seen as an inappropriate attempt to boost self-esteem or demean another to protect his self-worth.”
The research cites increasing maliciousness in denied envy that helps researchers detect envy even when they don’t admit it
1) trying to convince people that the envied person’s accomplishment isn’t actually to do with the envied trait, but rather was just luck, fraud, or something else 2) distorting perceptions of ourselves to better match the other, 3) trying to find a different feature of the person to attack when they can’t attack the envied trait after 1 fails, 4) trying to make the person’s success seem like a bad thing 5) disparaging envied persons or trying to reduce future closeness with them, trying to remain far away while clearly obsessing 6) trying to sabotage their future accomplishments and successes before they can accumulate and further hurt the envier 7) being violent or aggressive towards the envied person and their possessions.
Many personality disorders show signs of envy, and the envy that is a symptom of these personality disorders is ego-syntonic (they feel what they’re doing is fine, and not bad, and will even say as much, and try to convince others of as much, even though clearly because the person has a maladapted personality disorder others do not agree whatsoever for good reason).
“Let us bear in mind that one characteristic observed in those disorders is to harm other people; those behaviors are often ego-syntonic.”
Many cases of envy come from within a family, disturbingly enough.
“In 50% of cases, envious people are members of the family (brother, sister, uncle or stepmother) and in the other 50%, the envious one is a neighbor.”
Envious people hide their hate but behind the scenes try to destroy the happiness of the envied person. Their happiness especially enrages the envious person in malicious envy; that is a tell-tale sign, hyperfocusing on their happiness and trying to ruin that in particular.
“As the envious person cannot have the same status or the same possessions, and has to hide his hate when he sees the success he would like to have for himself or his own children, he uses his wickedness to destroy the happiness of the envied person.”
Envious people prefer indirect attacks due to the fact being identified as that envious can really destroy the respect people have for them, outing them as inferior enough to be desperate enough to do that. In third world countries, this is often solicited by a “black magic” witch. So, images of a black magic witch and begging a witch when they have failed to get what they want are a tell-tale sign.
“Very often, envious people prefer indirect attacks against their rivals by seeking out a sorcerer or witch.”
The envious person will be among the first to offer aid and comfort after doing their damage, likely due to the schadenfreude that relieves their inferiority by seeing the damage done. They will do this again and again until they are removed from the victim. At the time of writing this, there is no cure for envy. They just have to be removed from access to the person.
“At the same time, the envious person, in a hypocritical way, will be among the first to offer aid and comfort.”
Envy is considered the root of black magic when it is called sorcery. Most African and Middle Eastern traditions consider all witches black magic and struggle with more Northern beliefs that all magic is not bad; however, more Northern traditions include white and green magics, which are healing magics. Red magics are also part of the array.
The Azande consider a gentleman one who does not envy others. Ironically, this is the opposite of most incels, who worship ‘the Supreme Gentleman’ but covet women left and right.
“For the Azande people, a gentleman is one who does not envy another.”
For the Navajo’s hospitality is a cure against witchcraft. Navajos also seem to tend to struggle with alternative positive understandings of magic, some of which is white and green.
“Likewise Kluckhohn [14] suggest that Navajo’s hospitality is a kind of protection against guest’s witchcraft.”
Similar to issues with self-report in narcissists, self-report in the envious tend to be falsified.
Envy is not just for women. Men also showed the same signs of envy as women did under conditions that measured things like someone being more intelligent, more attractive, or more of some desirable trait than them.
“The overall sex effect was not significant, which means that when all the items are considered, intensity of envy does not vary between sex.”
However, what men and women were jealous of did seem more gendered; it was not often for a man to be jealous of better looks and self-confidence though it did happen (when they were jealous they found it really hard to control an impulse to harm or impulse to insert aggressive input) nor a woman to be jealous of athletic talent or for a woman to be jealous of another’s partner which was a male, or at least extremely high testosterone, behavior, reflecting commodity thinking which is often predicted by testosterone in a pathological instantiation.
Popularity included things the average person tends to get jealous about
“The first factor, labeled ‘popularity’ grouped items with social and sexual attractiveness, beauty, renown and leadership.”
Personal well-being was another one people got jealous of
“Personal well-being describes assurance, self-confidence and good relations with friends and parents.”
Financial well-being was third
“Financial well-being consists of items like a well-paid job, prizes won, desired possessions, and quality of life such as travel, leisure, etc.”
The last factor was intelligence and talents
“The last factor is ‘intelligence and talents’ with items related to abilities and achievements.”
There is no sex difference in envy; men and women get about equally envious and act in the same ways when envious. What differs is what they are jealous about.
“However, women tend to envy more some objects than men (e.g. beauty) and conversely, men envy other objects (e.g. a prestigious job).”
Envy usually is enacted indirectly.
“In general, participants express more envy in the indirect version than in the direct one…the results suggest that the indirect version is favored [as a way to enact envy].”
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2024.05.08 17:04 Murraculous1 40 of the Best 2-Player Board Games of All Time

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See the original post here.
2-player board gaming constitutes a huge part of my hobbyist career, and it is obvious why. Many games are designed exclusively for 2-players, and many more work well at that count. Spanning back millennia with the likes of Chess, Checkers, and Go, 2-player-only games have served as a cornerstone of this hobby. And although I’ve explored and enjoyed this genre for a long time, Bitewing Games has never put out a 2-player-only game… until now.
After two and a half years of hunting, planning, and development, we’re finally ready to unveil our line of two-player-only games. But before we get to that, in celebration of this milestone I’d like to highlight and update my list of the best 2-player board games of all time. I shared my original Top 10 list a whopping 4 years ago, back when Bitewing Games was nothing more than a blog. It’s an old list, but still a pretty solid one. Yet I’ve since had many more encounters with incredible games. So many, in fact, that limiting my list to only 10 feels like a bit of a crime against the genre.
Rather than try to arbitrarily rank one title just barely above another, I’m going to dump my entire list of recommendations on you. I’ll even narrow them down into themed categories so it is easier for you to find your type of 2-player game. Let’s explore the best 2-player games I’ve ever played!

Spicy Brutality

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These are the meanest games on my list. Yet spicy games are also some of the most exciting. Proceed with caution, all ye who enter.

Undaunted Series — If you’re looking for a war-game experience that is approachable, quick, and streamlined, then Undaunted is the best in the business. There are several unique experiences in this ongoing series of standalone games. Across the games that I’ve tried, I now have roughly 30 plays. We’ve really enjoyed how Undaunted merges smooth deck building with tense tactical skirmishes across many different scenarios.
Radlands — If you’ve ever wished you could try Magic: The Gathering or similar dueling card games but been scared off by the steep barriers to entry, then Radlands might be the answer. Everything is contained in a single small box where players draw from the same deck to play out and command a team of post-apocalyptic fighters. The goal is to take out the enemy’s camps first, and you’ll have plenty of tools at your disposal. Despite the aggressive gameplay, the rules are very easy to get into, making this a breeze to teach and play.
Marabunta — One of the newest 2-player designs from the legendary Reiner Knizia is a game of ants, dice, and dry erase markers. Although this one has been billed as a roll and write, it plays nothing like the genre. You feel that the most in how agonizing and cutthroat this game is. Marabunta combines painful “I split, you choose” decisions with cold-blooded area majorities on a shared board. Rarely has a game hurt so good to play.
Caesar!: Seize Rome in 20 Minutes! — Designer Paolo Mori has proven himself to be a reliable 2-player game designer across several titles which are on this list, but the first one we’ll cover is Caesar. Don’t be fooled by the cheap production, Caesar is a firecracker of a game. You and your opponent take turns deploying units onto the map, covering the spots that border two different regions. Once a region is completely surrounding by tokens, the player with the most strength wins the region. Yet whoever closes the region (covers the final border space) claims a bonus, so sometimes you even help your rival to finish taking over a battleground. That makes this sound like a nice game, but there are plenty of opportunities to undermine your opponents plans and abilities.
The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation — If you love the idea of Stratego, but perhaps not the execution, then this one is absolutely for you. Reiner Knizia offers his take on Stratego’s experience with a game that is also inspired by the Lord of the Rings trilogy. One player is trying to sneak Frodo all the way to Mordor without him getting captured, and the other player is trying to reclaim the ring or basically take over Middle Earth before the fellowship stops them. Devious bluffing and brutal conflicts abound in this highly revered classic from the Good Doctor Knizia that sadly hasn’t seen a new edition in many years.

Not Too Aggressive

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If the above suggestions seem a little to mean for you or your gaming partner, but you still want a hint of spice in your game, then I highly recommend the following…

Lost Cities — This is perhaps Reiner Knizia’s most popular 2-player game ever, and for good reason! Many people have pointed to Lost Cities as the best game to play with your significant other. The decisions you make in this game can still be quite rude, but the key is that your opponent doesn’t know you are being rude. You’ve been holding that green 10 in your hand that they so desperately wanted the entire game… and you never even intended to use it for yourself? That’s Lost Cities for you. The hand management decisions in this game are fantastic. You’ll sweat over which cards to hang on to and which expeditions to commit to.
Patchwork — Like Lost Cities, Patchwork is yet another widely recommended 2-player game, and for good reason! It combines the satisfaction of polyomino puzzling with smart economic considerations including time management and a button economy. There is a reason why this one has been endlessly in print for 10 straight years.
Jaipur — I don’t think I appreciated Jaipur at first as much as I do now. Admittedly, it presents itself as a generic set collection game of spices and gems and camels. These games are a dime a dozen, right? Yet Jaipur sets itself apart by being so dang perfect and paced. You’ll feel yourself pulled in every direction as you race to meld sets first yet wait to build bigger sets, want to spend your turn doing one thing but feel compelled to do another thing, both curse and covet the camels, and so on.
Battle Line / Schotten Totten — It’s hard to mention Knizia’s Lost Cities without also acknowledging Battle Line (aka Schotten Totten). Both of these simple card games are ripe with tough hand management decisions, yet they end up feeling very different on the table. Battle Line is about forming poker-style sets of cards across multiple fields of battle against your opponent. As far as I know, this design kicked off the genre known as “lane battlers,” and it is still one of the very best thanks to its timeless elegance.

Tug of War Trifecta

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Tug of War is a concept that lends itself nicely to 2-player games — one side pulls against the other. If these back and forth experiences sound appealing to you, then allow me to introduce you to the very best 2-player tug-of-war games.

Watergate — Based on the Watergate scandal from American history, this one has been a big hit in the last five years of hobbyist gaming. If you want a taste of Twilight Struggle (a famous but sprawling war game) in a fraction of the time and effort, then Watergate is hands down the best option. Watergate presents a cat and mouse tussle between the corrupt Nixon Administration and the courageous press who are out to expose them. You’ll be competing to drag key evidence onto your end of the tug of war track and throwing down powerful event cards in this slick tactical romp.
Royal Visit — While it hasn’t even come close to the popularity and success of Knizia’s other 2-player titles, Royal Visit has proven to be another favorite for my wife and I to get to the table. Royal Visit is the purest Tug of War game of this Trifecta. All you have is 1 track and a hand of cards of four possible suits. On your turn you may only play one suit of card, the suit matches a character on the track, and the more cards you play drags that character closer to your end of the track. It sounds almost too simple to be any good, and by the looks of it some people actually do feel that way, but I find that the functional differences of each character and their cards makes this a surprisingly nuanced game. It’s hidden yet satisfying depth has proven itself to me across our many plays.
Biltzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes — Those of you with a keen eye will notice that this game’s title has a lot in common with Caesar’s full title. That’s because both games are from the same designer and publisher team, and they both share the same idea of putting out a tile that is hidden behind your screen. The difference is that Caesar has a bunch of area majority battles while Blitzkrieg presents a bunch of tug of war tracks. Which is better between the two? That’s difficult to say. Depends on who you ask, really. But I’m more than happy to own and enjoy both. The other notable thing about Blitzkrieg is that it is basically a 2-player version of Paolo Mori’s cult classic game, Dogs of War.

Best Cooperative Games

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Well we’ve already covered so many games that let you roll up your sleeves and pummel your opponent (or lightly pinch them, in the less aggressive games). Why not take a break and look at some of the best 2-player cooperative games?

Sky Team — If you want the latest and greatest hotness in the 2-player-only genre, then Sky Team should be the first place you look. It’s one that I rated highly on my Top 15 Games of 2023 list, and it is one of my wife’s favorite games in recent years. In this airborne thriller, you and your partner play as pilots of a commercial airplane with a mysterious communication problems. You’ll take turns putting out your hidden dice as you try to land the plane without causing a catastrophe. The big hurdle is that you can’t communicate what dice you have or where you want your copilot to put their dice. Sky Team entices you to come back for many more plays thanks to the various modules and scenarios that mix up the challenge.
Sail — Sail is another major hit from 2023 where you are also piloting a ship together… only in this case you are trying to avoid the kraken via the medium of trick taking. This one is gorgeously illustrated by Weberson Santiago (one of my favorite board game artists) and also presents a variety of challenging scenarios featuring unique maps.
MicroMacro Series — If you, like me, have a certain fondness or nostalgia for Where’s Waldo books, then MicroMacro should be right up your alley. This series of games takes the experience of Where’s Waldo and turns it into a bunch of murder mystery style cases that you and your partner must solve. The weird thing about this huge city map crammed with thousands of details is that it shows events taking place over time. You can follow a person walking down the street, around the corner, and into a building where they shove a victim out a window to their death. Yes, it is somehow both cute and dark.
Pandemic: Iberia — I can’t list the best 2-player cooperative games without mentioning the titanic series, Pandemic. Where there are so many versions of this game at this point, I’ll just list one of our favorites — Pandemic: Iberia. You are still racing to cure diseases and contain outbreaks, but here it takes place in Iberia with a few interesting twists such as building a railroad infrastructure to shuttle you around faster.

Best Positional Abstracts

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There are so many positional abstracts (like Chess) in this world that it becomes increasingly hard for these mostly themeless games to stand out. Move a piece, capture a piece. Advance, retreat. Strike, counterstrike. May the best mind win. Here are my favorites that I have found.

Onitama — Onitama is a dead simple abstract strategy game. To win, either capture your opponent’s leader, or move your leader into their leader’s starting space. Easy as that. The thing that makes this game so neat is that your pawn movement is dictated by whatever two movement cards are sitting in front of you. Any time you use a card, it gets rotated over to your opponent for them to be able to use on a future turn. So you end up dictating the future options of your rival. On top of that, Onitiama (and its expansions) provide a large variety movement cards, meaning that no two games will be alike.
Project GIPF Series, Tzaar and Yinsh — Back in middle school (or sometime around then) I went through my Chess phase. Learning, exploring, and obsessing over the game as I played it with family members and on digital adaptations. Well some time after that (maybe in high school), I entered a project GIPF phase. Project GIPF is a newer line of games (relative to Chess, at least) that features zero theme but plenty of strategy. I call it a phase, but I only ever got deep into two games in this series: Tzaar and Yinsh. Tzaar forces you decide whether to make yourself stronger or your opponent weaker as you protect your three types of discs and try to wipe out one type of your opponent’s discs. Yinsh has you leaping your rings over a line of tiles, causing them to flip to the opposing player’s color. Once you have a line of five tiles of your color, you discard one of your rings from the board. The first person to discard three of their rings wins. I’ve enjoyed both of these games for how they twist and contort your brain in challenging new ways. If you have a gaming partner that is willing to take the plunge on these dry yet approachable boxes, then you’ll find plenty of strategic depth at their core.
Santorini — This one stands out thanks to its verticality and its huge deck of asymmetric god powers. Players are moving their figures around and building up 3-layered structures. The objective is to position your figure on top of a 3-story building in order to win. But if your opponent is in an adjacent space, then they can stop you from reaching the top by capping the building off with a dome top. Once you have dabbled in the core game, then you can add in god abilities which mix up the challenges and opportunities of each play.
Hive — Hive (specifically Hive Pocket) might just be the most travel-friendly board game ever. That’s because this one has no board or cards. It simply uses a handful of chunky plastic tiles… meaning you can play this one on virtually any flat-ish surface (including the sandy beach!). The point of Hive is to surround your opponent’s queen bee with tiles. All of the bug tiles move in unique and interesting ways… Grasshoppers can jump over a line of tiles to the opposite side. Beetles can climb on top of (and trap) other tiles. Ants can move anywhere they want (a very powerful bug). But all of the tiles must stay grouped together in one connected hive, so there are ways to block your opponent from moving certain bugs. Despite its simplicity, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of Hive.
Chess and Go — It would be downright rude to not include Chess and Go, the two ancient titans of the genre, somewhere on this list. So here they are. Give them a play, scratch them off your bucket list, and who knows, maybe you’ll fall deep into their strategic rabbit holes. You wouldn’t be the first to do so.

Best Euro-Abstracts

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What the heck is a Euro-abstract? Beats me. I just heard somebody use the term once and it sounded fitting. My best guess is that a Euro-abstract is different from a standard abstract in that it generally features more modern design elements like points, theme, abilities and/or a pinch of luck.

Great Plains — Speaking of Go, there are many excellent modern games inspired by this old classic. Great Plains is one such design. Players are spreading out their figures into valuable territories, seeking to have majority in these point-scoring territories at the end of the game. I find that two key features make Great Plains so… well, great: (1) Players can earn animal abilities that let them break the normal placement restrictions. (2) The map is randomly generated each game. Great Plains is one of my most recent discoveries, yet I’m already in love with it.
Mandala — This one is a brilliant little card game where players are seeking to claim the most valuable cards, but the values of the cards and opportunities to earn them are steered entirely by the players throughout the game. All you do is add cards to a middle market or bid cards to your side to try and claim first dibs at the cards in that market. The entire deck is nothing more than six different colors of cards. Yet the depth that unfolds is sneakily satisfying.
Patterns — Patterns is branded as a sequel to Mandala, although they don’t share much beyond the scoring system and creators. Actually, all three of the above games come from the same design duo: Trevor Benjamin and Brett J Gilbert. Considering the fact that these games are all only from the last five years, I’m starting to suspect that Trevor and Brett might be the best abstract game designers currently working in the industry. Patterns is phenomenal (another of my top rated games from 2023) due to its layered decisions of tile placement and claiming.
Lacuna — I mentioned it in the past, but last year was a great year for 2-player-only games. Sky Team, Sail, Patterns, and Lacuna were all excellent. Lacuna is a tough to categorize because it is so unique, but I lumped it here due to the end of game flower majorities that happen for scoring. You start by using the cylindrical box like a salt shaker to sprinkle out the flower tokens onto a large cloth mat. Then you take turns positioning your pawns between two matching flowers to claim them both. After all pawns are out, the remaining flowers are claimed by the nearest pawns. So there is a refreshing spatial challenge of positioning your pawns in the best places to claim the most important flowers. For how quick and breezy this one is, it is an easy recommendation.
Chartae — Chartae has impressed me in a way that no other 2-player game has. It crams a surprisingly rich filler game into a tiny little box. With only 9 tiles, the game packs a surprising punch. Either add a tile to the map or rotate a tile. The winner is the player who has the largest connected territory once the map is complete. Perhaps this isn’t one that you should go out of your way to acquire and play — the end result would likely feel underwhelming relative to the effort invested. But if you appreciate discovering surprising depth beneath absolute simplicity, then Chartae is a great choice.

Best Campaign/Legacy

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If you’re looking for a multi-session gaming experience with your arch nemesis, there are many options out there. But these are two of the best that we have found:

Undaunted: Stalingrad — Undaunted: Stalingrad remains my favorite game in the Undaunted series. That is precisely because it is such a great legacy/campaign experience where your troops and environment change across many scenarios. The decisions you make in one battle will have ripple effects throughout the war.
My City (and its spinoffs) — Those who enjoy polyomino games owe it to themselves to try My City. Across 24 episodes of evolving rules and challenges, you’ll agonize of the placement of your building tiles as you try to satisfy the various scoring objectives. My City is also one of the more approachable legacy games in existence, and intentionally so. I’ve found it to be a great game for couples or families who want to knock out a play or more each evening for a few weeks. The spinoff games, My City: Roll & Build and My Island, perhaps don’t reach the same heights as the original experience, but they still offer plenty of fun if you are hungry for more.

Skill-based Thrills

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Sometimes it’s nice to let your brain take a break and simply challenge your fingers and hands instead. It’s even more satisfying to see your skills improve with enough practice and experience. Here are two games that emphasize skill and physicality over intelligence and scheming.

KLASK — KLASK is like miniature air hockey, but even better than the real thing. Or at least I would argue that because KLASK is so dang funny and enjoyable. Using the magnetic pawns that you control beneath the table, the goal is to knock the ball in your opponent’s goal… or stick two magnetic “biscuits” to their pawn… or hope they accidentally “KLASK” (move their pawn into their own goal). If any of those things happen, then you get a point. KLASK never fails to deliver a bombastic and lively experience. This game belongs in every household.
Crokinole — The best thing that Canadians ever gave to the world was the game of Crokinole. That’s no slight against Canada — Crokinole is fantastic. Our Crokinole board hangs on our wall like a family heirloom. Usually people who see it assume it is some kind of dartboard. But the moment I pull it off the wall and dump out the discs, they are hooked. Crokinole is one of my most played games in my entire collection thanks to its broad appeal and supreme satisfaction of flicking and ricocheting discs across a slippery board.

Happy Hobbyist

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I don’t often stray into the ultra-heavy gaming territory, which is why most of the games that I play, talk about, and publish are medium weight or lighter. But it seems like the sweet spot for most hobbyist gamers is in that medium weight territory anyway. These are the games that are generally a bit longer to play, require ten or fifteen more minutes to teacher, and combine multiple mechanisms together. Here are my best recommendations for the hobbyist gamer!

Innovation — This civilization-themed card game may very well be the best of its class for having a streamlined ruleset with massive and chaotic potential, but it is not for everyone. Innovation is less about outwitting your opponent within an open information playing field and more about wacky opportunism. That means you get plenty of moments of surprise attacks, last-minute scrambles, and tactical lunges. It’s a game that keeps you on your toes from start to finish — the more nimble player will win. But it’s only enjoyable if you are willing to let the craziness sweep you away. It’s only worthwhile if you find endless wordy abilities to be exciting rather than exhausting.
Splendor Duel — If Splendor is a bit too simple or light for your tastes, then Splendor Duel might be what you are looking for. Here there are a few more considerations to deal with as you claim gems, earn cards, and build your engine. I love how it cranks up the heat by allowing players to pressure each other on multiple possible victory conditions.
Match of the Century — This one is Paolo Mori’s take on a lane battler (like Battle Line) and a pseudo-sibling to Watergate. You’ll be reenacting the chess match of the century by playing a game about chess that isn’t actually chess. By committing cards to each lane and utilizing card powers, you’ll determine who comes out on top during each “match” or round. It is a game about making short-term sacrifices for long-term gains. I dig it!
Zamek / Carcassonne The Castle — Carcassonne provides a great 2-player experience on its own, but like Pandemic it has seen many spin-offs due to its popularity. One of those spin-off games is a 2-player-only version designed by the one and only Reiner Knizia that introduces some fantastic features to the Carcassonne system. Players are confined to adding tiles within a wall, and the wall itself functions as a score track with bonus corners that encourage you to stop on them exactly. Subtle changes like these make you think all the harder about where you want to place tiles and when you want to score them. It’s easily my favorite way to play Carcassonne. Unfortunatley, this one is very difficult to obtain (unless you track down a used copy or order Zamek from Poland).
7 Wonders Duel — Based on the big box hit, 7 Wonders, 7 Wonders Duel has the honor of being the second highest rated 2-player-only game on BoardGameGeek. Does that mean it is the second best 2-player-only game ever created? That’s for you to decide. All I know is that it is mega popular and mega fun. Players take turns drafting cards from a pyramid display as they build their civilization and wonders. Like Splendor Duel (both co-designed by Bruno Cathala), it allows you to gun for 3 possible victory objectives and pressure your rival in their weakest categories.

Great at 2, and other counts too!

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The Quest for El Dorado — How many racing games do you know that are amazing at 2 players? The Quest for El Dorado is yet another Knizia classic that has sold gangbusters, and for good reason. Through building your deck and playing out cards, you’ll race across the different types of terrain. It works so well at 2-players because each player controls 2 explorers that both must reach the finish line in order to win. With infinite map possibilities and oodles of expansion content, El Dorado has been a blast for us every time it hits the table.
A Feast for Odin — These next two games are without a doubt the meatiest on my list. Despite the long playtime (usually 2-3 hours when you include setup and teardown), A Feast for Odin is comfort food gaming. You’re given a big board of spaces that demand to be filled with tiles and a huge sandbox of viking-style options for how to acquire those tiles. Just like any good feast, you’ll come away satisfied.
Ark Nova — One of the absolute hottest releases of the past decade is undoubtedly Ark Nova. It features its own style of comfort food entertainment by letting you manage and customize your own zoo across a few hours of heavy gaming. The massive deck of cards features a truly wild variety of animals that you will only scratch the surface of with each play.
Crokinole — There’s only one game so good that it deserves to be mentioned twice on the same list. Crokinole, baby! I had to include it here as well just because the 2v2 mode is such a riot.
Azul — The modern classic, Azul, is probably at its spiciest at 2-players where the hate drafting is most direct. But that’s why I love playing it at 2. Azul brings the goods with a clever, family-weight experience ripe with clackety colorful tiles.

This concludes my list featuring 40 of the best 2-player games I’ve ever played. These titles and my experiences playing them with another person have me into the gamer and publisher that I am today. Today I am thrilled to pay tribute to this genre and continue its legacy with the reveal of Bitewing Games’ new line of 2-player-only games: the Mythos Collection — 2-player games of strategy and mythology. Our goal for this line of games is to recruit the best 2-player game creators in the industry and assemble the most renowned line of 2-player games the world has ever seen. The Mythos Collection is made by and of legends.
To kick off this new line of games, there is no designer we trust more than the world-renowned Reiner Knizia (as the prophesy foretold, this is the year of the Knizia after all). I’m pleased to unveil his newest 2-player games: Iliad and Ichor.

Iliad

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The Trojan War has begun, and both sides of the conflict pursue every advantage they can possibly gain. Two opposing heroes, Hector of the Trojans and Achilles of the Greeks, seek the favor of the gods to lend them support and tip the scales of fate. Only one side will emerge victorious — its hero becoming the legend of the Iliad.
Iliad is a tile-placement strategy game featuring powerful tile abilities and divergent victory objectives. Check out the Predicted list of FAQs here to learn more.

Ichor

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The dark monsters of Greek mythology have gathered for one final assault on Mount Olympus. The Greek gods are prepared to defend their sacred ground. Who will prevail in this decisive battle of blood and Ichor?
Ichor is an asymmetric strategy game featuring a huge variety of one-time-use character powers. Check out the Predicted list of FAQs here to learn more.
Epic posts and publishing projects like these are only made possible through the support of our Kickstarter backers. Iliad and Ichor will launch on Kickstarter in late June — be sure to follow the Kickstarter page so you don’t miss out!
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What are some of your favorite 2-player games? Share below!
Article written by Nick of Bitewing Games. Outside of practicing dentistry part-time, Nick has devoted his remaining work-time to collaborating with the world’s best designers, illustrators, and creators in producing classy board games that bite, including the critically acclaimed titles Trailblazers by Ryan Courtney and Zoo Vadis by Reiner Knizia. He hopes you’ll join Bitewing Games in their quest to create and share classy board games with a bite.
Disclaimer: When Bitewing Games finds a designer or artist or publisher that we like, we sometimes try to collaborate with these creators on our own publishing projects. We work with these folks because we like their work, and it is natural and predictable that we will continue to praise and enjoy their work. Any opinions shared are subject to biases including business relationships, personal acquaintances, gaming preferences, and more. That said, our intent is to help grow the hobby, share our gaming experiences, and find folks with similar tastes. Please take any and all of our opinions with a hearty grain of salt as you partake in this tabletop hobby feast.

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2024.05.08 09:07 SkyAnimal Timeline of Human Evolution.

Earth's orbit experiences an “Orbital Eccentricity”, 100,000 year cycle orbit and inclination variation, going from circular to elliptical, the hemispheres experience more or less sun or exposure to the sun for extended periods, causing ice ages. Scientists estimate we are near the minimum, a 6% change in solar energy. At peak, the earth experiences a change of 30%.
Modern Day Primates, in the wild and captivity, are able to communicate, near and far, using verbal and gesture components, even to other species. Have been observed using wood as tools, and in using medicinal plants to treat wounds.
44 million y a - Hominid ancestors acquire Herpes virus.
10 million y a - Primate ancestors develop genes to digest alcohol.
6 million years ago - Primate ancestors split from Chimpanzee/Bonobo line (15 million DNA mutations have occurred since then; each person born today has 100 mutations distinct to them, most don’t survive.)
5.3 m y a - Mediterranean Sea experiences the Messinian Salinity Crisis, for 600,000 years the Straight of Gibraltar closed off, causing the Mediterranean to shrink down to two inland seas with Italy and Greece separating them. Ends in the Zanclean Flood, a river of Atlantic sea water flows thru Gibraltar and fills the Mediterranean in 2 years.
5 m y a - Arabian-African continent reconnects with Asia. Land based Turtle species start going extinct.
4 - 3 m y a - Hominid ancestors acquire pubic lice from Gorillas (genetic evidence).
3.6 - 2.58 m y a - Considered the Neogene Period.
3.3 m y a - Stone tools found in Kenya and Ethiopia.
2.6 m y a - Mode One Stone Tools found in Ethiopia, would subsequently spread. Flourished to 1.7 million y a in southern and eastern Africa. Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) Era (2.6 m y a till end of last Ice Age, 11,000 y a). Subdivided into the Early- or Lower Paleolithic (c. 2,6 million years ago - c. 250,000 years ago); the Middle Paleolithic (c. 250,000 years ago - c. 30,000 years ago); and the Late- or Upper Paleolithic (c. 50,000/40,000 - c. 10,000 years ago)
2.58 million - 11,700 years ago - Considered the start of the Quaternary Period, and covers the Pleistocene.
2.4 – 1.4 m y a – Homo Habilis (4.5-3.5 feet tall).
2 m years ago - Earliest Hominids start eating meat.
1.9 – 1.8 m y a – Homo Rudolfensis.
1.89 m y a to 110,000 y a - Homo Erectus (first to leave Africa and spread across Asia).
1.8 m years ago - Mode One Stone Tools found on Java.
1.7 m years ago - Mode Two Stone Tools (slicing, hand-axe/butchering, evidence of drilling tools) appear in Kenya and southern Africa.
1.6 m years ago - Mode One Stone Tools found in northern China.
1.6 - 1.5 m y a - Africa, Turkana Boy dies, likely from a tooth cavity infection. He was either 8 or 11-12 years old and 61 inches tall. Brain 880 ccm.
1.5 m y a - Kenya, possible start of Hominids using fire to cook food. (increase in caloric intake, which would lead to evolution; however, Paranthropus Boisei is the local species, brain 500-550 ccm, 54 inches tall)
1 million years ago - Likely split between ancestor of Homo Sapiens and proto-Neanderthal-Denisovan species. (Mitochondrial DNA evidence.) South Africa, evidence of fire use for cooking.
1 m - 700,000 y a - Java, Java Man dies, brain 900 ccm. 5' 8" tall.
900,000 y a – Possible earliest use of boats.
820,000 - 580,000 y a - Durum Wheat develops out of natural hybridization with Einkorn Wheat (genetic analysis).
800,000? y a - Low world temperatures recorded. Height of Ice Age?
790,000 y a - Levant, oldest Fire hearths found. (Homo Heidelbergensis, 1,250 ccm brain, 69 in tall)
740,000? y a - Height of Ice Age?
7-200,000 y a – Homo Heidelbergensis (East Africa and Europe, likely first to hunt large animals with spears)
640,000? y a - Height of Ice Age.
550,000? y a - Height of Ice Age?
540,000 - 430,000 y a - Art: Sea shell formed into decoration by Homo Erectus. (Could indicate when sea shells began to be used as whistles and horns.)
530,000? y a - Interglacial Peak (between Ice Ages, high CO2 content in the atmosphere, 524-474,000).
500,000 y a - South Africa, evidence of Spears. Genetic evidence of Neanderthal spread from Europe to Caspian Sea, Denisovans occupied land from Caspian to the east.
450,000 y a - Earliest physical evidence of Neanderthal.
450,000 y a - Global temperatures had dropped, stayed that way for thousands of years.
430,000 - 230,000 y a - Durum Wheat cross-breeds with wild Goat Grass (genetic analysis).
400,000 y a - Interglacial Peak (between Ice Ages, 424-374,000).
400,000 y a - Germany, oldest Spears found. France (Terra Amata), possible evidence of manmade shelter using prepared wood.
360,000? y a - Height of Ice Age.
335-236,000 y a – Homo Naledi (South Africa, 4’9”)
310,000 y a - Interglacial Peak (between Ice Ages, 337-300,000).
300,000 y a – Mode Three Stone Tools (smaller knife-like, scrapers, developed in Europe by Neanderthals)
300,000-200,000 y a – Africa, Origin of Male Y-Chromosome that all current males are descended from. (40% of males do not reproduce.)
270,000? y a - Height of Ice Age.
240,000 y a - Interglacial Peak (between Ice Ages, 242–230,000).
200,000 y a - France, evidence of Neanderthals fishing. Africa, "Mitochondrial Eve," source of all Human Haplo-groups that everyone is descended from, existed at this time.
194,000-135,000 y a - Penultimate Glacial Period.
190,000 y a - Early physical evidence of Denisovans. (At least three interbreeding events would occur with Homo Sapiens. EPAS1 gene, hemoglobin concentration, Tibetan plateau.)
190,000-50,000 y a - Flores Island, evidence of tool use by the Human Hobbit.
170,000 - 80,000 y a - Body Lice evolve (genetic evidence, feed on human skin, live in clothing; evidence of clothing)
164,000 y a – South Africa, heat treating Silcrete Stone to enhance stone tool production.
140,000 y a - Homo Sapiens found in Europe.
130,000 y a - Evidence of humans in North America. Crete, earliest human settlements found on the island. Art: Neanderthal necklace made of eagle talons. Croatia: Neanderthal teeth show possible dental work.
125,000 y a - Interglacial Peak (between Ice Ages, 130-115,000). Sea levels 4-6 meters (18 feet) higher then today.
110,000-15,000 y a - Last Glacial Period. Grey Wolves would migrate from North America back to Asia prior to the maximum.
100,000-60,000 y a - Flores Island, bone fossil evidence of the Human Hobbit.
100,000 y a - Oldest example of proper human burial. South Africa, Pigment (paint) Creation Kit found. (would cover bodies in mud/clay and then spray the paint over the bodies, sun screen-protection from insects)
90,000 y a – Harpoons.
86,000-37,000 y a – Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens begin interbreeding, based on genetic evidence found so far.
75,000 years ago - Likely rise of Hunter Genotype in Homo Sapiens.
75,000 y a - Art: Drilled snail shells found in South African cave.
73,000 y a - South Africa (Blombos Cave), evidence of Red Ochre art on pieces of stone, stone with deliberate lines cut into it possibly representing count marks.
72,000 y a - South Africa, Beads found in cave.
70,000 y a - Mitochondrial DNA suggests this is when the Haplo-group of early humans migrated out of Africa to populate the rest of the world.
70-60,000 y a - Earliest evidence of bone and stone arrowheads (for Spear Throwers), found in South Africa. 64,000?
70,000 - 35,000 BCE - Neanderthal burials in Europe and Middle East.
68-16,000 y a – Smallpox evolves from an African Rodent Virus.
67,000 BCE - France, burial shows skulls with Trepanation (cutting holes to relieve brain pressure), earliest example of surgery.
65,000 y a - First humans settle Australia.
64,000 y a - Spain, oldest evidence found of Cave Art (Neanderthal hand).
61,000 y a - South Africa, possible evidence of a Sewing Needle.
60,000? y a - Height of Ice Age?
60,000 y a - Evidence of man/Neanderthal using herbal medicine.
55,000 - 40,000 y a - Italy, evidence of Neanderthal using Pine Tree Resin and Beeswax for hafting tools, in cave. (Beeswax can be used in making Candles.)
52,000 y a - Last evidence of Denisovans.
52,000 – 41,000 y a – Archaeological find of “Bast” tree fiber twisted into primitive cordage, possibly as handle for a Stone Tool. (meaning they had access to Clothing, Nets, Cord for Fishing or Hafting tools, rope; thinking processes of Counting, Sets, Patterns, and possibly abstract thinking)
50,000 - 10,000 y a - Mode Four Stone Tools (long blades).
50,000 y a - Australia, last evidence of megafauna. Siberia, needle made from bone found in Denisovan cave. Genetic evidence of Neanderthal spreading to western edge of China.
50,000 years ago - End point of development of Gatherer Genotype (can survive famine), Teacher Genotype (can handle new and different environments, analytical).
45,000 y a - Evidence of Neanderthal and Homo Sapien interbreeding. (Fossil found, DNA tested.) (France, to create stone tools required precision, “Soft Hammers” were likely used.)
44,000 y a - Evidence of art found in Indonesia.
44,000-40,000 y a - Europe experiences cold and dry weather, displacing populations.
43-42,000 y a - Germany, oldest musical instruments (flutes) found.
42,000 y a - Australia, skeleton of man suggests Atlatl use, pre-dating earliest evidence; earliest example of cremation found. Spain, small amounts of Natural Gold found in a cave.
40,000 y a - (Mankind is at the “Forager” level.) Last evidence of Neanderthal. (Inheritance of "STAT2" gene, immune response. HYAL2 gene, helps skin recover from sunburns.) China, test on body found that ate a lot of fresh water fish. Possible example of oldest petroglyphs. Beads found in Lebanon.
40,000 - 26,000 y a - Studying toe bones, showed they became smaller and weaker, indicating shoes were worn. Prior to this, shoes were likely bags wrapped around feet to protect from cold.
38,000 BC - First appearance of Mode Five Ground Stone tools on Japan. (rock was quarried; thin slivers of flint stone, attached to hafts, man is learning the use of a "handle" for tools and "leverage", create Adzes, Celts, and Axes; grinding helps to penetrate trees and was likely discovered when grinding plant matter; found buried with owners; were traded) Lasted till 14,000 BC. (Would not become popular elsewhere until 10,000 BC?) Germany: Clay Figurine featuring human with lion like appearance, thought to be earliest representation of a Deity.
35,000 BCE - Europe, earliest examples of "Venus figurines" found buried in graves (some showing they were deliberately broken or stabbed repeatedly); would later spread to rest of Eurasia. Early examples of skulls and long bones showing red ochre, indicating possible relic worship.
35,000 y a - Germany, flute made from a vulture bone found.
30,000 BCE – Solomon Islands, first humans settle (60 km sea voyage).
31,000 - 27,000 y a - Evidence of Pit Fire (Earthernware) Pottery developing.
30,000-20,000 years ago - Explorer genotype (Ice Age refugees, idiosyncratic, asymmetrical, contrarian mentality)
30,000 y a - Evidence of starch residue on rocks, indicating where plant matter was pounded and ground. (Would likely be the pre-cursor of developing bread from roots of cattails and ferns. Quern Grinding Stones would spread and gain popularity.) Georgia, Flax used as a textile (harvested, dyed, and knotted) found in Dzudzuana Cave. Fertile Crescent, Einkorn wheat harvested in it's wild form. Evidence of man using the Atlatl. Poland: Boomerang carved from mammoth tusk found. France, Lunar Calendar. Likely when Bolas (stone weight(s) and length of cord) began to be used.
28,000 y a - Europe, oldest evidence of rope.
25,000 - 15,000 BCE - Blood Type A develops in the Fertile Crescent. (able to survive Plague, Cholera, Smallpox)
27,000 y a - Australia, oldest example of petroglyphs found. Czech Republic, earliest example of "Weaving" of material together to create baskets and basic cloth. (Leads to counting and simple math, organizing.)
26,000-13,300 y a - Considered "Glacial Maximum", ice sheets extend to the 45th parallel north. (26,500 considered to be maximum glacial reach.)
23,000 - 12,000 y a – Europe, Perforated Batons found, made of antler, assumed to be a form of Atlatl that uses a leather strap or string to wrap around the spear and give it a slight spin, arrow or spear thrower (similar to Swiss Arrow). Right and left handed throwers find preference. Most carved with Horses, have one or two holes (one had 8 holes).
23,000 y a - Israel, Ohalo archaeological site, hunter-gatherer society (6 brushwood shelters, 132 stone tools some attached to hafts, stone Sickles, dwellings showed flint tools were made at entrance, cooking at other end, grind stone showed sand and cobbles to place and had U-shape of seeds around it) that grew/harvested Barley, Millet, Bromus (grass in same tax tribe as wheat/barley/rye, can be used for fermenting beverages, can be eaten by humans and animals), Rubus (same family as Rose plants, similar to blackberries), and various fruits (seeds from 13 different species), earliest evidence for “Bedding” material.
22,000 – 17,000 y a – France, Solutrean inhabitants make use of Antler.
21,000-17,000 y a - France, Atlatl's found in caves.
20,000 y a - Height of the Ice Age, sea levels 120 meters (360 feet) lower. Mode Five Stone Tools (microliths glued to handles, Fertile Crescent). Earliest example of a building/house found. Ukraine, Bullroarer (wood on rope that is swung around to create sound over long distance) found. Iraq-Iran, Zarzian Culture, had domesticated Dogs.
19,050? - 13,050 y a - Oldest Dryas Period, stadial, abrupt cooling period. Sea levels rose 10-15 m in 500 years.
17,000 BCE - Mesopotamia, Wild Emmer Wheat harvested.
18,000 - 17,500 y a - Siberia, earliest example of a domesticated dog found frozen. Germany, Bow and Arrows found. Early evidence of Darts used.
18,000 y a - Japan, oldest pottery discovered.
15,100 - 14,000 y a - Morocco, earliest example of a cemetery.
15,000 y a – Mode Five Stone Tools reach Europe. Southern France, cave art depicting possible Musical Bow, Nose Flute; "The Sorcerer," a figure showing human and many animal qualities (bison), made out of Clay.
15,000 – 10,000 y a – France, Stone Oil Lamps.
14,500 y a - Oldest example of bread making, Jordan desert.
14,160 - 13,820 y a - Archaeological find: infected tooth partially cleaned out with flint tools.
14,600 - 13,600 y a - "Melt Water Pulse," sea levels rose 16-24 m.
14,000? y a - Older Dryas Period, around 200 year cooling period.
13,500 - 8,200 y a - China, wild Rice domestication event occurs.
15-10,000 BCE - Himalayas, development of Blood Type B.
11,050 BCE - Syria, attempts at domesticating Rye.
13,000 y a - Greece, evidence of lentils found. Earliest evidence of Amber used in jewelry. Israel, archaeological evidence of beer like gruel for ceremonial purposes found at Haifa. Likely beginning of Slavery.
13,000 - 12,700 y a - Fertile Crescent, archaeological evidence of man corralling and using pigs.
12,900 - 11,700 y a - The Younger Dryas Period, when temperatures went cold instead of warming from the Last Glacial Maximum.
10,000 BCE - Jericho, considered mankind's first town, is established. Buildings of clay and straw, dead buried under homes. (Would reach 70 dwellings by 94,000 BCE.) Chickpeas domesticated. Earliest evidence of the Bottle Gourd being domesticated and used (Africa and Asia variety). Azerbaijan (Caspian Sea), petroglyphs of reed boats. Starting point of Ocarina type flutes. Cyprus, humans arrive. Germany, Jet artifact (Botfly larvae, which can be eaten). Curved Stone Oil Lamps.
11,700 y a - Considered the beginning of the Holocene.
9600 BCE - Southern Levant, earliest use of wild Emmer Wheat.
11,500 - 11,000 y a - "Melt Water Pulse," sea levels rose 28 m.
11,400 y a - Cypress, archaeological evidence of pigs (indicating they had been domesticated and brought from the mainland).
9400 - 9200 BCE - Jordan Valley, Fig trees found, indicating earliest agriculture since these trees could not reproduce.
9130 - 7370 BCE - SE Turkey, Gobekli Tepe, oldest known worship location.
9000 BCE - Syria, oldest (Saddle) Quern found. Mesopotamia, Copper first used. Bartering of Cattle and agricultural products likely occurring at this time.
9000 - 3300 BCE - Neolithic Era, roughly. Time period of when man has begun herding, before using bronze.
11,000 - 9,000 y a - Mesopotamia, domestication of Sheep; Rammed Earth construction technique developed. Iran, Domestication of Goat (focused on management of the animal, varieties would come later).
11,000-4,000 years ago - Warrior genotype (farmers, soldiers, inventors); Nomad genotype (life upon a horse, can handle different environments, good immune system)
11 or 10,000 y a - Last Ice Age ends.
8800 BCE - Emmer Wheat spreads beyond the Levant.
8700 BCE - Iraq, Copper pendant.
8500 BCE - Domestication of Barley. Domestication of peas occurs around this time. Turkey, Beer production found at Gobekli Tepe. Domestication of Cattle from the Aurochs (two separate populations, one in Mesopotamia [pop. 80], the other Pakistan). (Rendering cattle bones into Tallow allows for the creation of Candles. Beeswax also used.) Oregon, oldest pair of shoes found made from bark twine. Oats possibly start to be harvested, crop mirrors wheat (is like a weed).
8400 BCE – Cyprus, earliest dug Water Well (26 ft).
10,300 - 8,700 y a - China, Millet harvested.
10,200 - 9,500 y a - Emmer Wheat domesticated(?).
10,000 - 7,000 y a - Archaeological evidence of boats.
8000 BCE (10,000 years ago) – Genetic evidence of breeding Pigeons. Palestine, archaeological evidence of pastoralism. Pre-Pottery Neolithic people in the Fertile Crescent form perfectly smooth stone vases. Iran, Goat domestication. Believed to be when primitive dairy-cheese making began. Flax cultivation. China, Quern Grinding Stones. England, Antler used in headdress costume.
9,500 y a - Cyprus, earliest evidence of cat domestication. SE Anatolia, cold-working, annealing, smelting, lost wax casting of Copper.
7570 BCE – Indus Valley, Lapis Lazuli artifacts.
7500 - 5700 BCE - Anatolia, Catal Hoyuk develops as a spiritual center, found many clay figurines and impressions (feminine, phallic, hunting).
7400 BCE - A monolith ends up submerged in the Straight of Sicily.
7176 B.C. – Earth hit by one of the most massive Solar Storms from the sun ever recorded (visible at night with the magnetic field interaction).
7000 BCE - Archaeological evidence for pastoralism in Africa. China: evidence of mead (honey, rice, water fermented) in pottery; evidence of musical instruments. India, first archaeological evidence of Dance (cave art); evidence of dentistry. Armenian Highlands, art depictions of Cymbals. Durum Wheat made thru artificial selection in Europe and Near East. Greece, earliest evidence of grain silos. Turkey, Catal Hoyuk, art depiction of a Slinger. Afghanistan, Lapis Lazuli mined and traded to Indus and Mesopotamia societies. Europe, Cave Wall art of Honey Collecting.
7000 - 6600 BCE - China, domestication of Soy beans.
7000 - 6000 BCE - Turkey, domestication of Bitter Vetch. (Too bitter for human consumption without being boiled several times, has been found to be great for cattle feed.)
6500-3800 BCE - Ubaid Period (Mesopotamian citystates rise, evidence of specialized workers, evidence of taxation)
6500 BCE - Turkey, evidence of lead smelting at Catal Hoyuk. (Wrapping the dead in textiles, too.) China, archaeological evidence of Silk. Kosovo, oldest Ocarina found in Europe.
8,200 - 7,600 y a - Sea levels rise rapidly. Linked to North American great fresh water lake (Agassiz, Ojibway) sudden draining into Atlantic Ocean. 8,400 y a?
6050 BCE - Moldova, evidence of man extracting salt from a natural spring.
8,000 y a - Western Europe, white skin first appears. Iran: earliest evidence of irrigation; man starts choosing sheep for their wooliness, not just meat and skin (2-3,000 years later, would start wearing wool). Georgia, earliest evidence of wine. Spain, cave painting shows people collecting honey from a wild hive, using a container to hold. China, Buckwheat cultivated (near Tibetan plateau), possible first example of Influenza. Earliest evidence of the Ard Plow used (castrating bulls to train 4 years to become Draft Oxen, also means they can be used to haul logs thru and from forests). Mediterranean, Broad (Fava) Beans, Broccoli. Portugal: Almendres Cromlech, begins, aligned to equinox and solstice, occupied for 2,000 years, would become largest complex in Iberian peninsula, equal to other large complexes in Europe. Anatolia: Obsidian polished into mirrors. Spelt Wheat appears. First Stone hafted Axes. Earliest evidence of “Cock Fighting” game fowl. (Iraq, Kiln.)
6000 - 3500 BC - Mesopotamia (Sumer), Poppy domesticated.
7,8-5,000 y a - SE Turkey, Einkorn Wheat grown and domesticated.
5600 BCE - Evidence of The Black Sea Flood, turning the fresh water lake into a salt water sea, rose shorelines and displaced populations (source of flood myths in religions).
7500 y a - Earth experiences a cold climate period? Lasts for 500 or more years.
7500 y a - Earliest example of chickpeas being used. Poland, archaeological evidence of cheese making. Ukraine, Romania, earliest examples of traps used for hunting. Pakistan, evidence of Cotton found in copper beads. Egypt, earliest Combs found (placing a leaf in the teeth can create a primitive sound instrument).
5500-5000 BCE - Serbia, Copper Smelting.
5200 - 4700 BCE - Iran, earliest evidence of a wheel, for pottery, made of stone or clay.
7,000 y a - Earliest example of Dolmen, single chamber tomb, consists of two stones supporting another on top (table design), found in western Europe, would spread and be common 4000 - 3000 BCE in Europe. Iranian plateau, evidence of Bronze made with naturally occurring arsenic. Tin would replace as the major ingredient (and releasing non-toxic vapors) in the late 3000 BCE period. Iran, evidence of wine found, using sealed containers. China, Hemp domestication (smoking was likely cause for spread, Iron Age would use for production); Rammed Earth construction technique, Silkworm domestication begins. Egypt, Badarian culture starts farming, used boomerangs. Roundels, circular enclosure often with entrances aligned to solstice, would be constructed in Central Europe (Germany, 120-150 altogether). Siberia, oldest carpet found (likely a funeral gift, from Armenia, featured griffons). Mesopotamia: first use of Stamp Seals for government purposes; Rotary Quern milling stones are introduced. Armenia: possible origin of Apricots. Lake Zurich, cultivation of Pear. Indus Valley Civilization, using Bitumen aka Asphalt for waterproofing (a basket), adhesive. Bulgaria, Turquoise beads.
6950 - 6440 y a - Papua New Guinea, cultivation of Taro and Yam.
4800 BCE - Egypt, early evidence of peas being grown. Cairn of Barnenez, Brittany, England, begins (burial monument and later bronze age use, considered one of the oldest and largest man made structures).
4700 - 4200 BCE - The town of Solnitstata, considered the oldest known settlement in Europe. Built around a salt deposit.
6,500 y a - Croatia, earliest example of an oven found. Slovenia, dental filling made with beeswax. Indus Valley, irrigation. Wine production reaches Greece. Carnac Stones, Brittany, France; would become large complex of standing stones, menhirs, domens, tumuli (burial mounds, with passage tombs), large rectangle formed by stone. Americas: various tribes domesticated “chili peppers.” Bulgaria, Carnelian beads. Manufactured Red Pottery Oil Lamps.
4500-4000 BCE - China, Investment Casting develops.
4200 - 4000 BCE - Mesopotamia develops true, easy to spin pottery wheels.
6,000 y a - Earth experiences a cold climate period? (Starting maybe 500 years earlier and ending 500 years later.)
4000 BCE - (Mankind has achieved “Farmer status.”) (Thought to be when Cattle were turned into Oxen for Draft Animal purposes.) Egyptians start building big Brick structures; manufacturing Papyrus; Gold artifacts; (domesticated Donkeys?). Earliest examples of Kilns. NE Italy, archaeological find of Appleseeds. Sicily, evidence of wine found. Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Horse domestication begins (they became small and varied in size as compared to their wild ancestors). “Pontic Language Explosion”. [People from north of the Caspian and Black Seas migrated around Eurasia, ancestor of western languages. (shared origins with: milk, horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, grain, copper, carts, yoke, weaving, mead; patrilineal clans)]. Earliest examples of Viticulture (wine making). Levant, earliest examples of harvesting Olives; start using grain Silos. Art: Earliest depiction of Shoes, Sandals. China: example of a Loom for Silk production; Ramie (similar to flax, requires chemical processing, not as popular, believed to be used for Egyptian mummy wraps). Persia (Iran), Mung Bean domestication?, Chang (precursor to Harp) found on artwork, made with sheep guts. Mesopotamia: Stamp Seals come into use; Mirrors made of Copper; 30-40% of animal bones in settlements were pork (understood to be a way of removing trash from community, easy to feed and raise many); Uruk clay tablet describes two temples owning a herd of 95 pigs to be rendered into soap to clean linen; clay pipes for sewage. Europe, farming reaches northern regions. Anatolia, Silver production.
4000 - 1000 BCE - Ethiopia, Teff is discovered (can feed people and livestock, building material).
3800 - 3500 BCE - Czech Republic, possible evidence of earliest plowed fields.
5,700 y a - Lolland Island, a blue eyed, dark haired, dark skin woman spits out some Birch Bark gum; oldest complete human genome extracted; had Mononucleosis ("kissing disease"). Possible archeological evidence of pit traps used for migrating animal hunting.
3630 BCE - Oldest example of silk fabric found.
3600 BCE – Pork bones in settlements (Levant, Mesopotamia) dropped to 16-30% of total livestock.
5,500 - 4,700 y a - Georgia, tomb found had honey remains on pottery. (This culture could identify Linden, Berry, and Meadow-Flower varieties.)
3500 BCE - City of Uruk: (Mesopotamia) begins outward expansion and influence, later first example of organized warfare (would influence Egyptians to start building pyramids); "Cylinder Seals," a type of noble seal, that can be rolled unto wet clay (would be popular until 1000 BCE). Iraq, Kish Tablet, considered to represent the early transition from pictographic to cuneiform. Mesopotamia, earliest Harps and Lyres found; Gold artifacts. Modern humans settle the western coast of Europe, hunter-gatherers. Egyptians show Cat domestication; Gold Smelting; used a vertical Gnomon as a primitive Sundial? Iran, Beer made from Barley. Armenia, earliest Leather Shoe found. China, Pottery in shape of silkworm indicates earliest example of Sericulture (silk worm production).
3500 - 3350 BCE – Mesopotamia, earliest evidence of wheeled vehicles. Indus Valley civilization uses Stamp Seals with a type of script.
3400 BCE (5,400 years ago) - First metal casting. France, Cow skull showing Trepanation found.
5,400 -5,100 y a - Itzi the Iceman dies in the mountains of Northern Italy. Had a copper axe. Earliest evidence of tattoos. Shoes made from two types of animal skin (bear and deer). Arsenic residue in his hair.
3300 BCE - Egypt, tomb paintings show people Dancing. Indus Valley, develop Sanitation.
3200 BCE - Examples of using symbols to represent real life objects (would go to form written language). Ireland, construction begins on Newgrange, largest passage tomb in Europe, aligned to winter solstice. Egypt, Bead made of Meteoric Iron found.
3100 - 2900 BCE - Jemdet Nasr period (following fall of Uruk) would be known as establishing Cuneiform as a proper language.
3100 BCE - Upper and Lower Egypt unified. Mesopotamia, likely evidence of the earliest Lute type device.
3000 BCE - Onset of Bronze. Mesopotamia, Irrigation; Glass Beads appear (possible side effect of making metal); possible earliest Iron working (required higher temperatures), cuneiform mention of Pigeons. Sumer, Medical text found on tablet, believed oldest ever found. Egypt, Hieroglyphs of Pigeons and use of Homing Pigeons for message delivery, first record of a Doctor named, Imhotep; Antimony harvested from rock and made into eye makeup; earliest evidence of domestic Donkeys in the south. Egyptian Mummies show evidence of Smallpox (deathrate 30% especially among babies, can leave people blind). Dromedary Camels likely domesticated in Somalia at this time. (Camel hair can be harvested for shelter and clothing, outer guard hairs make for water proof coats. Camel milk readily turns into yogurt. To turn into butter requires a clarifying agent and extended process.) Chicken reaches Europe from Asia. England, earliest Stone Circles found. Slovakia, Romania, earliest chainmail found. Sheep chosen for wooly coat, not long hair. China, Clay Bells found. India, River Buffalo domesticated (water buffalo); Jute grown for fiber (burlap). Northern Iran, earliest examples of Trumpets. SE Asia, earliest records of Radish. Pakistan, Terracota female figurines.
2800 BCE - Solid evidence of plowed fields. China, Copper smelting discovered. Babylon, evidence of manufacture of soap like substance.
2700 BCE - Chinese treatise on health. 40 kinds identified.
2650 BCE - Egypt, dental work found.
2630-10 BCE - Egypt, Pyramid of Djoser constructed by Imhotep, considered first.
2600 BCE – Egypt, domestication of Honey Bee complete.
2600 - 1900 BCE - Indus Valley, Stoneware Pottery (meaning fired at 1000 degrees Celsius), would become a major industry; (Ivory?).
2580-50 BCE – Egypt, creates first true Ocean Dock for sea trading vessels (with Indus Valley).
2560 BCE - Great Pyramid of Giza completed.
2500 BCE - Evidence of The Amber Road, trade route from the Baltic Sea to Mediterranean Sea. E Iran, Bactrian Camels domesticated. Iraq, "Lyres of Ur," considered world's oldest stringed instruments. Peru, oldest Sling ever found. Egypt, earliest depiction of a Khopesh (sword). Sumerian Clay Tablet with instructions for manufacturing soap (heating mixture of oil and wood ash, earliest record chemical reaction, used for washing woolen clothing). China, axes with Corundum (precious stone). Harappan Culture of Indus Valley, chicken used for Cock Fighting, not food.
2500 - 2000 BCE - Mali, domestication of Pearl Millet. Turkey, Meteoric Iron dagger.
2400 BCE - Sumer, description of Prostitution and a Brothel-Temple to Fertility Goddess.
2300 BCE - Mesopotamia, Urukagina of Lagash, considered the earliest Law Code. (Widows and orphans exempt from taxes, state pays for funeral expenses, the rich must pay in silver and cannot force the poor against will, checked power of priests, protect from usury, abolished polyandry). Iran, Quince (fruit). China, oldest Gnomon (painted stick that casts a shadow for sundial purpose).
2200 BCE - China, first known tax, using salt. Iraq, tablet reads “22 jars of Pig Fat” (each jar 18 liters of Lard, 396 liters total, require 45 adult pigs; likely used to make soap to clean wool of sheep before turning them into textiles)
2200-2000 BCE - Turkey, Iron Smelting.
2100 - 2050 BCE - City of Ur: Earliest written Code of Law discovered. References Butter. (Fines for bodily harm, references murder, robbery, adultery, rape. Two classes of people: free and slave.)
4000 - 3000 y a - Mesopotamia, earliest Scissors (shear, spring type). India, Mung Bean domesticated.
2000 BCE - Murals show horses pulling chariots. Horses become common in western Europe. England, Great Orme Mine started, would become largest copper mine in region (most productive between 1700 - 1400 BCE), used bone and stone tools. China, Bells made out of metal (Bellfounding); domestication of the Swamp Buffalo (water buffalo). Ghana, earliest evidence of Cowpea (black eyed pea). India, Canola/Rapeseed; Diamonds being used to drill beads. Egypt, Lupin Beans. Greece, Kale grown.
1900 BCE – Homing Pigeons used for warfare.
1800 BCE - Egypt, medical text on gynecological issues; Safflower for pigment. India, Iron working.
1754 BCE - Code of Hammurabi (recognized Prostitution and gave women protection and inheritance; theorized that a fertility goddess had a temple that offered sex workers).
1700 - 1200 BCE - (Late Bronze Age) 8 societies in Middle East: Aegean, Egyptian, Hittite, Canaanite, Cypriot, Mitanni, Assyrian, Babylonian. Considered a "globalized world system." Next time this would occur is today.
1700 BCE – Mesopotamia: The "Mari Letters" reference Minoan society, King Hammurabi; clay tablets list Trigonometry Tables and Applied Geometry (for land ownership, speculated to aid in construction).
1628 BCE - Island of Thera/Santorini experiences huge volcanic eruption, possibly causing a tsunami thru eastern Mediterranean.
1600-1500 BCE - Greece, Helmet formed of boar tusks found.
1600 BCE – Levant, Mesopotamia, Pork bones rarely found in settlements (banned from temples in Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Egypt). (Found amongst the poor classes, difficult to tax since it did not produce wool or milk or could plow a field.)
1550 BCE – Papyrus Ebers, Egyptian medical text, mentions Chlamydia.
1500 BCE - Modern Trumpet design found in eastern Mediterranean. India, Pigeon Pea domesticated. Egypt, Mercury found in tombs; archaeologists find earliest Sundials; Emerald mines. China, Water Clocks.
1400 BCE - Syria, Hurrian Songs, cuneiform music tablet in Ugarit. Greece, oldest body armor found, made of bronze, Dendra Panoply (not actually worn, more of a showpiece, but clear representation of body armor for battle). China, Meteoric Iron axeheads. Art representation of Scale Mail in Egypt. Art: representation of Shields.
1350 BCE - Turkey, Hittites chronicle Egyptian prisoners of war bringing "the plague.”
1300 BCE - Uluburun Shipwreck, off coast of Turkey, had 300 sixty pound copper ingots (10 tons), 1 ton of tin, and tin objects and ingots of colored glass (blue, rose, brown). From Cypress/Minoa.
1300? - 900? BCE - Eastern Mediterranean experiences a 300? year drought. (Could also be: Cypress 1200- 850. Syria 1250-1187. Galilee 1250-1100)
1279 BCE - Battle of Qadesh (Egypt vs Hittites).
1200 BCE (3,200 years ago) - Onset of Iron smelting. Earliest Camel saddles appear. Last appearance of Megaliths. India, earliest evidence of Firewalking.
1200 BCE - Eastern Mediterranean civilization collapse. Drought in Greece. Earthquake series.
1188-1177 BCE - Egypt suffers invasions from "The Sea People."
1185 BCE - Syria, Ugarit Letter, Famine.
1140? BCE - Ramses 6th, mummy found to have Smallpox. No record of people dying from Smallpox.
1100 BCE - Phoenicians establish nation. Europe, Iron Age.
1100? BCE - Earth experiences a cold temperature period?
1100-750 BCE - Egypt, Iron Smelting.
1070 BCE - Egyptian mummy found with Silk in hair, earliest evidence of Silk Road.
1000 BCE - Early Cuneiform script (late stages, still pictograph in nature). Bactria, Barbat (primitive lute). Egypt, Kenaf is grown for fibers, leaves can be eaten by animals and humans (similar to Jute and Hemp; rope, rough fabric, sails). Mediterranean, Cabbage domesticated. China, Iron Age. Sport: racing Homing Pigeons.
930 BCE - Camel bones found in Arabian peninsula. Jordan, earliest Bloomery for Iron working found.
800 - 600 BCE - Ethiopia, Sorghum Wheat begins to be harvested.
800 BCE - Considered the beginning of Ancient Greece, after the Mycenae Civilization. China, Bloomeries used.
700-500 BCE - The Illiad orally composed. India, Diamond mining starts.
708 BCE – Greece, Olympics, Discus Throw.
700 BCE - Turkey, first Coins in Lydia. Assyria, first equipment recognized as a Saddle for a Horse.
660 BCE – Massive Solar Storm hits Earth.
600 BCE - Earliest example of a Steel Sword.
600-400 BCE - Ancient Greece rise of scientific inquiry and philosophy
550 BCE - The Illiad written down.
540 BCE – Sri Lanka, earliest record of Pearls.
500 BCE - Camels used in warfare. Persians use kettle drums for military maneuvers, frighten enemies. Greece, Grape Syrup, early form of sweetener and preservative; earliest written mention of what could be Influenza. Blackberries consumed around Europe. Spain, Disk Quern developed. India, Cholera described in Sanskrit. Romans manufacture dipped Candles.
430 BCE – Athens, Typhoid Fever outbreak during siege by Sparta.
400 BCE - The "Celts/Gaeil" settle Ireland. Greece, the “Hippocratic Corpus” seventy collected medical texts, mentions Pneumonia, Meningitis, Valerian Root.
396 BCE - Olympics, horn blowing competitions.
314 BCE - China, first mention of Sweet Orange.
298 BCE - Foot powered Loom.
200 BCE - China starts making paper.

submitted by SkyAnimal to DebateEvolution [link] [comments]

2024.05.07 17:49 GeorgH20 Week 18 2024 New Online Casino Games May – 30 Releases to Check Out!

2024 New Online Casino Games May

We’ve now passed the 500 mark regarding new casino games released in 2024 so far. We’ve been keeping count with every passing week, and with the 30 new releases revealed in this update added to the 472 released to date, that count is now 502. The vast majority have been slots, but we’ve encountered a few virtual and live casino games making their casino debuts in 2024. We have one of the latter to tell you about in this report, Live Casino Hold’em from Imagine Live.

What’s next in this week’s update?

We’ve reviewed the five slots the Casinoplusbonus team feels are the best released since our last report. We test each slot and then put the top five to the vote. The reviews are brief and essentially tell you about the features you can expect and each slot’s core stats. At the end of this report, you’ll see the full list detailing all 30 new games now available to play.

Last Weeks Report: Want more new games to play? Check out our Week 17 New Online Casino Games April update here.

Top 5 Slots Releases 30 April – 6 May 2024

(Rated by the Casinoplusbonus team)
As fresh slot games become available, various members of the Casinoplusbonus team try them out, providing their ratings and opinions. Those slots that receive the highest ratings are featured in our top 5 list, accompanied by a review crafted by one of our team members as part of our weekly update. If you have differing views regarding the top 5 selections, feel free to share them in the comments section. Nevertheless, the complete roster of new casino releases is included at the conclusion of this update, allowing you to explore all the offerings regardless.

Legal Gambling Age: The legal age for gambling in most countries is 18 years or older. Nevertheless, it’s important to verify the regulations in your specific area, as certain countries, provinces, territories, or states may have varying legal gambling age requirements.

Goldmine Mistress (Red Tiger Gaming)

The latest release from Red Tiger Gaming boasts a max win of 20,000x your stake!
The Goldmine Mistress is a mine-themed slot and uncovers some great features. Check it out.

Goldmine Mistress Features Explained

Here’s what you can expect:

Scatter Symbol: The green apple is the scatter symbol.
Mistress Wild: This can substitute for all paying symbols, and on the 8th spin, it can show up as 1×1 or 1×3 in size with a multiplier of up to 50x your stake (that depends on the number of Golden Nuggets you’ve collected, so far). The Mistress needs at least 2 Golden Nuggets to hold a Win Multiplier. Here are the sizes and multipliers she can have depending on the number of Gold Nuggets you collect:
- 1×1 in size for 1 Gold Nugget
- 1×1 in size + 2x multiplier for 2 Gold Nuggets
- 1×1 in size + 3x multiplier for 3 Gold Nuggets
- 1×3 in size + 2x multiplier for 4 Gold Nuggets
- 1×3 in size + 3x multiplier for 5 Gold Nuggets
- 1×3 in size + 10x multiplier for 6 Gold Nuggets
- 1×3 in size + 50x multiplier for 7 Gold Nuggets

Moreover, the 8th spins guarantees a win.

Golden Nugget: This symbol lands only on the middle reel and the more you collect in the first 7 Work Shift spins, the bigger your prize will be on the 8th spin.
Work Shift: The spins are numbered from 1 to 8 (there’s a counter above the reels that updates automatically) and in the first 7 spins, a Gold Nugget can land on the middle reel. The Golden Nuggets are then collected in each spin and on the 8th, and final spin, a win is guaranteed by the Mistress Wild. If there’s no win formed on the final spin, you’ll get another spin.
Unlimited Free Spins: If you land the apple scatter on the 8th spin, you can trigger unlimited Free Spins (with all Misstress Wild variations). During the feature, the apple turns into a marker and moves randomly to each position of the reel. This feature ends when the Mistress Wild and Apple marker land in the same position.

All in all, the Goldmine Mistress provides an entertaining gaming experience paired with tons of generous features that can bring you sizeable payouts. We thoroughly enjoyed it and the max win of 20,000x the stake is still on our radar.

Combination Spin Bet Multipliers: To activate a payout you need to land at least 3 matching symbols on one of the 20 paylines. The maximum multipliers you can enjoy with 5 matching symbols are: Blonde and ginger miner (25x each), silver miner (7.5x), H miner (5x), and precious stones (2.5x).

Goldmine Mistress Online Slot Features

📷

5×3 Reels with 20 paylines
95.74% Theoretical RTP
High ‘Variance/Volatility’
Wild/Scatter Symbols
Unlimited Free Spins
Work Shift
Gold Nugget
Min-Max Bets: 0.20 to 4.00
MaxWin: 20,000x

Casinoplusbonus Rating: 89% (Great)

Fruity Treats (Pragmatic Play)

The newest video slot from Pragmatic Play brings Fruity Treats, a delicious slot with cluster pays, special features, and a max win of 5,000x your stake.

Fruity Treats Features Explained

Let’s see how sweet these features are:

Scatter Symbol: The rainbow candy is the Scatter and it can appear on all the reels and pays out only during the base game.
Tumble Features: After each winning combo is paid in full, all the symbols from the combo disappear, and the remaining symbols fall to the bottom of the screen while new symbols fill in the empty spots. This feature will stop once there are no more winning combos.
Multiplier Spots Feature: At every spin and tumble, there are 4 marked spots with different colours on the screen under the symbols. When the spin starts, they move to different positions and when a win combination is formed on top of the marked spots, they are triggered and get a multiplier. Here are the initial multipliers: red (5x), purple (10x), teal (15x), and blue (20x). If a new win combo is formed on top of them, the combo win will be multiplied by that multiplier, and so on. If winning combos are created over more activated marked spots, the multipliers are added to each other. Once the tumble is over, the multipliers of triggered marked spots with winning combos over them increase once with their initial value.
Free Spins: Enjoy 10 Free Spins by landing at least 3 Scatter Symbols on the reels. During the Free Spins rounds, the triggered marked spots and their multiplier don’t reset. You can get an additional 5 Free Spins by landing another set of at least 3 Scatters. Special reels are used during the feature.
Buy Free Spins: You can purchase the Free Spins feature for 100x your stake. Or, you can enjoy the Super Free Spins (containing an initial 20x multiplier of all spots) for 200x your stake.

The cluster pays, paired with the tumble feature and the special multiplier spots, sweeten the Fruity Treats experience. The max win of 5,000x your stake also keeps prizes at a decent level, and the overall vibes are as sweet as can be. Worth a few spins, this one is a charming modern twist for fruit-slot enthusiasts.

Combination Spin Bet Multipliers: You’ll receive payouts whenever fiveor more matching symbols are connected horizontally orvertically. For15+ combos,you’ll receive the following payouts: Apples (150x), Oranges (100x), Lemons (50x), Plums (40x), Circular Candy (30x), Triangular Candy (25x), Heart Candy (20x).

Fruity Treats Online Slot Features

📷

7×7 Reels with cluster pays
96.05% Theoretical RTP
High ‘Variance/Volatility’
Scatter Symbols
Tumble Feature
Marked Spots Multipliers
Free Spins
Buy Bonus Feature
Min-Max Bets: 0.20 to 240.00
MaxWin: 5,000x

Casinoplusbonus Rating: 84% (Good)

OOF The Goldmine Planet (BGAMING)

The newest slot from BGaming is taking us to another planet. OOF The Goldmine Planet offers free spins, sticky winning combos, and a max win of 5,000x your stake. Check it out.

OOF The Goldmine Planet Features Explained

Let’s explore the OOF The Goldmine Planet’s features:

Wild Symbol: This symbol shows up and acts as all other symbols except for Scatter.
Scatter Symbol: The ringed planet can trigger the Free Spins feature with at least 3 (max 5) Scatters on any position.
Free Spins with Sticky Wins: You can trigger 10 Free Spins by landing at least 3 Scatters on any reel position. Once triggered, any winning combo that isn’t made out of Scatters, will turn sticky and stay in the same spot until the feature ends. The sticky combos pay out after each round and if new combinations or symbols complete another existing sticky combo, they also turn sticky. You can also enjoy retriggering this feature if you land another batch of 3-5 Scatter symbols.
Buy Bonus: You can purchase the Free Spins for 87x your stake.

Although OOF The Goldmine Planet launches us into space, the experience isn’t entirely otherworldly. The modern animation, sleek graphics, dynamic design, and music keep things fresh and moody. While the features and maximum win are solid, they don’t exactly push the boundaries. The only thing standing out is the Free Spins with Sticky Wins feature. Overall, OOF The Goldmine Planet offers a decent video slot experience courtesy of BGaming.

Combination Spin Bet Multipliers: To activate a payout, you need to land at least 3 matching symbols (max 5) on one of the 10 winning paylines. These are the maximum multipliers you can enjoy with 5 of a kind matching combos:Wild and Scatter (500x each), Asteroid (50x), spaceship (45x), device (35x), pistol (25x), alien scorpion (17.5x), fuel (12.5x), bar and A symbol (10x each), K symbol (7.5x), Q symbol (5x), J symbol (2.5x).

OOF The Goldmine Planet Online Slot Features

📷

7×7 Reels with cluster pays
96.05% Theoretical RTP
High ‘Variance/Volatility’
Scatter Symbols
Tumble Feature
Marked Spots Multipliers
Free Spins
Buy Bonus Feature
Min-Max Bets: 0.20 to 240.00
MaxWin: 5,000x

Casinoplusbonus Rating: 84% (Good)

Fugly Pets (Stakelogic)

While I’m not in agreement that ugly pets exist, I did have a great time playing the FuglyPets slot from Stakelogic.
It offers 3,125 ways to win across a 5×5 reel configuration, a high variance, a 96% RTP, and a 5,000x maximum win. It also features amazing graphics, well-drawn symbols, and a funky soundtrack.

Fugly Pets Features Explained

Let’s explore the Fugly Pets features:

Wild Symbols: These can appear on reels two, three, four, and five and substitute for all regular paying symbols.
Symbol Multipliers: Each high-paying symbol has a progressive win multiplier that increases to 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x, and 64x after being involved in consecutive wins during a single spin.
Roadkill Symbols: These can appear on the fifth reel and will move left removing paying symbols in its path. It will either convert them into wild symbols or destroy them.
Super Symbols: Either 2×2, 3×3, or 4×4 in size, these symbols can appear in any position on the reels. When they land, they remove all symbols below them and drop to the bottom of the reels.
Free Spins Bonus: You’ll receive 10, 12, or 15 free spins whenever 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols appear anywhere in view.
Buy Bonus: You can purchase the free spins bonus for 100x, 125x, or 165x of your current bet and will receive 10, 12, or 15 free spins.

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep you entertained as you spin the reels of the Fugly Pets slot, and actually, those features could conspire to generate some impressive payouts. The key is to enjoy spins with as many cascades as possible, as that can ramp up the multipliers, while there’s a good chance of the other features kicking into action as well. Overall, Fugly Pets is a great addition to an already impressive portfolio of slots offered by Stakelogic.

Combination Spin Bet Multipliers: To achieve a payout, you need to land at least 2 or 3 (depending on the symbol) matching symbols on consecutive reels fromleft to right. The maximum multipliers you can enjoy are Dog (5x), Cat (4x), Parrot (2.5x), Rat (2x), Lizard (1.2x), Ace (0.8x), Queen (0.4x), Jack (0.4x), Ten (0.4x).

Fugly Pets Online Slot Features

📷

5×5 Reels with 3,125 Ways to Win
96% Theoretical RTP
High ‘Variance/Volatility’
Wild Symbols
High Symbol Multipliers
Scatter Symbols
Super Symbols
Roadkill Symbols
Free Spins
Buy Bonus Feature
Min-Max Bets: 0.10 to 50.00
MaxWin: 5,000x

Casinoplusbonus Rating: 82% (Solid)

Chicken Burst (Wizard Games)

The final slot making our top 5 this week is from Wizard Games, a developer that is operating right at the top of its game right now.
Chicken Burst is a 5×3 slot with 40 paylines, an excellent LockNSpin cash collection feature, four-fixed jackpots, and a buy bonus. It carries a 10,000x maximum win, a 96.1% RTP, and a medium variance.

Chicken Burst Features Explained

Let’s dive into the features of the Chicken Burst slot from Wizard Games:

Wild Symbols: These can appear on reels two, three, and four and substitute for all regular paying symbols.
Chicken Symbols: Whenever any of the different colored Chicken symbols land on the reels, there is a chance the Lock N Spin bonus will trigger. The combination of those symbols will determine the starting coins and coins that can land during the bonus.
Lock N Spin Bonus: Once triggered, you receive respins of reels that can only land the following symbols:
- Coin symbols with values of 0.2x, 0.4x, 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, 2x, or 2.5x.
- The Mini (20x), Minor (20x), Major (500x), or Grand (5,000x) jackpot symbols.
- The Blue, Red, and Green Chicken symbols award a random prize, multiply all coin values by 2x, or collect all values from the reels, respectively.
The respins reset to three each time a new symbol lands, and the feature continues until there are no more respins or you fill all positions with symbols. You’ll win the Grand Jackpot worth 5,000x the stake if the latter.
Buy Bonus: You can purchase the Lock N Spin bonus for 70x the stake.

Chicken Burst by Wizard Games surprised us with its simplicity and fun features. There are plenty of opportunities to win a decent payout, and the jackpots keep you entertained for many spins. This is a slot well worth checking out!

Combination Spin Bet Multipliers: To achieve a payout, you need to land at least 3 or more matching symbols ona payline. The maximum multipliers you can enjoy are Eggs (5x), Fruits (4x), Tools (3x), Horsewhoe (2.5x), Wheat (2x), Ace / King (1.2x), Queen / Jack (1x).

Chicken Burst Online Slot Features

📷

5×3 Reels with 40 Paylines
96.1% Theoretical RTP
Medium ‘Variance/Volatility’
Wild Symbols
Lock N Spin Bonus
Four Fixed Jackpots
Buy Bonus Feature
Min-Max Bets: 0.10 to 25.00
MaxWin: 10,000x

Casinoplusbonus Rating: 80% (Decent)

All New Casino Games Released 30 April – 6 May 2024

(1) Sun Crown (Amigo Gaming)
(2) Mutant Trawlers (Bang Bang Games)
(3) OOF THE GOLDMINE PLANET (BGaming)
(4) Chance Machine 20 Dice (Endorphina)
(5) Pirate Multi Coins (Fantasma)
(6) 333 Fat Frogs™ Power Combo™ (Fortune Factory Studios)
(7) Great Buffalo Megaways™ (Gameart)
(8) Lady Charm Bug (Games Global)
(9) Triple 777 Jackpot (Games Inc)
(10) Slingo Gold Cash Freespins (Gaming Realms)
(11) Keep’em (Hacksaw Gaming)
(12) Casino Hold’em (Imagine Live)
(13) Fruit Blender Mania™ (INO Games)
(14) Big Big Fishing Fortune (Inspired Gaming)
(15) Solid Gold (Inspired Gaming)
(16) Jaguar Quest (MGA Games)
(17) The Explosive Bandit (MGA Games)
(18) Unusual Catch™ (Northern Lights Gaming)
(19) Fulong 88 (Play’n Go)
(20) Heart of Cleopatra (Pragmatic Play)
(21) Fruity Treats (Pragmatic Play)
(22) Retro Sweets (Push Gaming)
(23) Maxiplier (Realistic Games)
(24) Gold Mine Mistress (Red Tiger Gaming)
(25) Viking’s Legacy Everyway (Red Tiger Gaming)
(26) Fugly Pets (Stakelogic)
(27) King of the Party (Stakelogic)
(28) Cards of Asgard All Aces™ (Switch Studios)
(29) Red Moon Pirates (Vibra Gaming)
(30) Chicken Burst (Wizard Games)

30 April – 06 May 2024 Game Releases Preview

We’re fully expecting at least another 20 new slots to hit the lobbies of online casinos throughout this week, but you’ll have to wait until our next new casino games update to discover them.
I can, however, tell you that the following three slots are set for release in the next couple of days:

NoLimit City: KennethMustDie (7 May)
Pragmatic Play: Front Runner Odds On (9 May)
BGaming: Luck & Magic Scratch (7 May)

There will be plenty more, so come back next week for our latest new casino games report!

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2024.05.07 16:03 RobYaLunch Billboard Chart Discussion - Week Of May 11, 2024

Billboard Hot 100 chart

Position	Title	Artist	▲/▼	Last week	Weeks Charting	Peak
1	Fortnight	Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone	-	1	2	1
2	Million Dollar Baby	Tommy Richman	▲+99	[FRESH]	1	2
3	A Bar Song (Tipsy)	Shaboozey	▲+24	27	3	3
4	Espresso	Sabrina Carpenter	▲+18	22	3	4
5	Beautiful Things	Benson Boone	▲+10	15	15	2
6	Lose Control	Teddy Swims	▲+12	18	38	1
7	Too Sweet	Hozier	▲+9	16	6	1
8	Like That	Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar	▲+9	17	6	1
9	I Can Do It With A Broken Heart	Taylor Swift	▼-6	3	2	3
10	Down Bad	Taylor Swift	▼-8	2	2	2
11	Euphoria	Kendrick Lamar	▲+90	[FRESH]	1	11
12	Saturn	SZA	▲+17	29	10	6
13	Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?	Taylor Swift	▼-4	9	2	9
14	So Long, London	Taylor Swift	▼-9	5	2	5
15	Lovin On Me	Jack Harlow	▲+13	28	25	1
16	My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys	Taylor Swift	▼-10	6	2	6
17	Push Ups	Drake	▲+2	19	2	17
18	But Daddy I Love Him	Taylor Swift	▼-11	7	2	7
19	We Can't Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)	Ariana Grande	▲+14	33	8	1
20	Florida!!!	Taylor Swift Featuring Florence + The Machine	▼-12	8	2	8
21	The Tortured Poets Department	Taylor Swift	▼-17	4	2	4
22	Guilty As Sin?	Taylor Swift	▼-12	10	2	10
23	Stick Season	Noah Kahan	▲+14	37	31	9
24	I Remember Everything	Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves	▲+16	40	36	1
25	Texas Hold 'Em	Beyonce	▲+6	31	12	1
26	I Like The Way You Kiss Me	Artemas	▲+12	38	6	12
27	Greedy	Tate McRae	▲+15	42	33	3
28	Cruel Summer	Taylor Swift	▲+13	41	52	1
29	Feather	Sabrina Carpenter	▲+21	50	22	21
30	The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived	Taylor Swift	▼-16	14	2	14
31	Type Shit	Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti	▲+12	43	6	2
32	Get It Sexyy	Sexyy Red	▲+17	49	7	20
33	Agora Hills	Doja Cat	▲+12	45	32	7
34	Wanna Be	GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion	▲+14	48	4	11
35	Fresh Out The Slammer	Taylor Swift	▼-24	11	2	11
36	loml	Taylor Swift	▼-24	12	2	12
37	The Alchemy	Taylor Swift	▼-24	13	2	13
38	Yeah Glo!	GloRilla	▲+21	59	12	32
39	End Of Beginning	Djo	▲+17	56	11	11
40	I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)	Taylor Swift	▼-20	20	2	20
41	Whatever She Wants	Bryson Tiller	▲+13	54	11	19
42	Carnival	¥$: Ye & Ty Dolla $ign Featuring Rich The Kid & Playboi Carti	▲+10	52	12	1
43	Austin	Dasha	▲+17	60	8	28
44	Gata Only	FloyyMenor X Cris Mj	▲+14	58	7	27
45	Never Lose Me	Flo Milli	▲+16	61	20	15
46	Redrum	21 Savage	▲+11	57	16	5
47	So High School	Taylor Swift	▼-23	24	2	24
48	Good Luck, Babe!	Chappell Roan	▲+14	62	4	44
49	imgonnagetyouback	Taylor Swift	▼-23	26	2	26
50	Where It Ends	Bailey Zimmerman	▲+15	65	18	32
51	The Black Dog	Taylor Swift	▼-26	25	2	25
52	Clara Bow	Taylor Swift	▼-31	21	2	21
53	Act II: Date @ 8	4Batz Featuring Drake	▲+10	63	17	7
54	Made For Me	Muni Long	▲+10	64	16	20
55	Wildflowers And Wild Horses	Lainey Wilson	▲+16	71	14	48
56	The Prophecy	Taylor Swift	▼-24	32	2	32
57	Wild Ones	Jessie Murph & Jelly Roll	▲+11	68	30	35
58	Tell Ur Girlfriend	Lay Bankz	▲+8	66	3	58
59	thanK you aIMee	Taylor Swift	▼-36	23	2	23
60	FE!N	Travis Scott Featuring Playboi Carti	▲+7	67	26	5
61	Slow It Down	Benson Boone	▲+8	69	6	40
62	How Did It End?	Taylor Swift	▼-27	35	2	35
63	Adivino	Myke Towers & Bad Bunny	▲+38	[FRESH]	1	63
64	The Albatross	Taylor Swift	▼-34	30	2	30
65	Back Then Right Now	Tyler Hubbard	▲+8	73	7	62
66	I Hate It Here	Taylor Swift	▼-32	34	2	34
67	Obsessed	Olivia Rodrigo	▲+7	74	6	14
68	Hell N Back	Bakar Featuring Summer Walker	▲+4	72	4	53
69	Chloe Or Sam Or Sophia Or Marcus	Taylor Swift	▼-33	36	2	36
70	Bulletproof	Nate Smith	▲+9	79	4	64
71	I Look In People's Windows	Taylor Swift	▼-32	39	2	39
72	Illusion	Dua Lipa	▲+6	78	3	43
73	Get In With Me	BossMan DLow	▲+2	75	13	49
74	Okay	JT	▲+27	[FRESH]	1	74
75	The Bolter	Taylor Swift	▼-28	47	2	47
76	Cinderella	Future, Metro Boomin & Travis Scott	▼-6	70	6	6
77	Scared To Start	Michael Marcagi	▲+5	82	11	54
78	Peter	Taylor Swift	▼-32	46	2	46
79	Mmhmm	BigXthaPlug	▼-2	77	19	63
80	Wind Up Missin' You	Tucker Wetmore	▼-4	76	5	75
81	Enough (Miami)	Cardi B	▼-1	80	7	9
82	Cassandra	Taylor Swift	▼-38	44	2	44
83	Halfway To Hell	Jelly Roll	▲+10	93	4	83
84	La Diabla	Xavi	▼-1	83	20	20
85	Tu Name	Fuerza Regida	▲+2	87	11	66
86	Outskirts	Sam Hunt	-	86	8	66
87	Belong Together	Mark Ambor	▲+14	[FRESH]	1	87
88	23	Chayce Beckham	▲+3	91	18	45
89	II Most Wanted	Beyonce & Miley Cyrus	▼-5	84	5	6
90	One Of The Girls	The Weeknd, Jennie & Lily Rose Depp	▼-1	89	19	51
91	Tucson Too Late	Jordan Davis	▲+1	92	9	80
92	Bandit	Don Toliver	▲+9	--	12	38
93	We Ride	Bryan Martin	▲+8	--	4	93
94	Dirt Cheap	Cody Johnson	▲+7	--	2	92
95	Cry	Benson Boone	▼-10	85	4	60
96	Wine Into Whiskey	Tucker Wetmore	▲+1	97	6	77
97	Feel It	d4vd	▼-2	95	3	94
98	Spin You Around (1/24)	Morgan Wallen	-	98	14	24
99	The Manuscript	Taylor Swift	▼-48	51	2	51
100	Let's Go	Key Glock & Young Dolph	▼-10	90	8	59

Billboard Global 200 chart (most popular songs globally)

Position	Title	Artist	▲/▼	Last week	Weeks Charting	Peak
1	Fortnight	Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone	-	1	2	1
2	Espresso	Sabrina Carpenter	▲+15	17	3	2
3	I Like The Way You Kiss Me	Artemas	▲+7	10	6	2
4	Beautiful Things	Benson Boone	▲+8	12	15	1
5	Too Sweet	Hozier	▲+8	13	6	1
6	A Bar Song (Tipsy)	Shaboozey	▲+27	33	3	6
7	Gata Only	FloyyMenor X Cris Mj	▲+7	14	12	4
8	I Can Do It With A Broken Heart	Taylor Swift	▼-3	5	2	5
9	Down Bad	Taylor Swift	▼-7	2	2	2
10	Million Dollar Baby	Tommy Richman	▲+91	[FRESH]	1	10

Billboard 200 chart

Position	Title	Artist	Sales	Change	Last week	Weeks Charting
1	The Tortured Poets Department	Taylor Swift	445,206 (110,726 pure)	-83%	1	2
2	One Thing At A Time	Morgan Wallen	66,860 (1,281 pure)	+6%	4	61
3	We Don't Trust You	Future & Metro Boomin	59,997 (613 pure)	-13%	2	6
4	Cowboy Carter	Beyonce	51,830 (7,184 pure)	-22%	3	5
5	Stick Season	Noah Kahan	40,112 (4,620 pure)	-14%	7	75
6	Dangerous: The Double Album	Morgan Wallen	39,374 (370 pure)	+9%	11	173
7	Fireworks & Rollerblades	Benson Boone	39,372 (1,304 pure)	+0%	8	4
8	We Still Don't Trust You	Future & Metro Boomin	38,998 (145 pure)	-29%	6	3
9	SOS	SZA	38,164 (1,831 pure)	+0%	9	73
10	PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)	PARTYNEXTDOOR	37,722 (3,506 pure)	--	[FRESH]	1

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why is X artist higher than Y artist on the 200 chart, even though X artist sold less?
A: This is because of a discrepancy between Billboard's ranking and the ranking from the website that the sales data is scraped from
Q: Where do you get the sales data from?
A: https://hitsdailydouble.com/sales_plus_streaming
Q: What does "err" mean on the 200 chart?
A: If you are seeing "err", that means that the bot I use to gather chart data couldn't identify sales data for a particular album because of a difference in album naming between Billboard and HitsDailyDouble

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2024.05.07 15:52 Unable_Variation_918 The dancing bird

The dancing bird of the Swiss Alps danced and danced because he became the Ubermensch. The bird abandoned all morals and created his own set. He became who he truly is. He developed his love for horror literature and made in a nest of an abandoned playground at an abandoned daycare that was once “Happy Sun Daycare.” Happy Sun Daycare featured traumatized children who went undiagnosed with something. Children were also carefree and they played laughter and cuddled with their cowgirl dolls near the location the species became extinct in the wild. Children with undiagnosed ADHD were 69,000 times more likely to get sent to the grey door, were they would get attacked by a humanoid dire wolf. When the dire wolf went extinct in the wild, the last corpse of it deep in South America would burst into flames. Then, a clone of me was carrying a cowgirl doll in happy sun daycare. When a bully took it from him, the clone bit the bullies arm and the clone got sent to the grey door. The unimaginable horrors of the grey door room sent the clone into insanity and eventually drove him to suicide. There is trandescentalism about abandoned daycares! The dog on two legs is a hybrid variant of the human. The rushing violins rain across the desert and gave happy children some ice cream, but a chicken stole all of it and a French Monkey danced funny all around the rich Norwegian men.

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2024.05.07 14:00 AutoModerator 2024/05/07 [Separation Anxiety Support Group]

Welcome to the fortnightly separation anxiety support group!
The mission of this post is to provide a constructive place to discuss your dog's progress and setbacks in conquering his/her separation anxiety. Feel free to post your fortnightly progress report, as well as any questions or tips you might have! We seek to provide a safe space to vent your frustrations as well, so feel free to express yourself.
We welcome both owners of dogs with separation anxiety and owners whose dogs have gotten better!
NEW TO SEPARATION ANXIETY?
New to the subject of separation anxiety? A dog with separation anxiety is one who displays stress when the one or more family members leave. Separation anxiety can vary from light stress to separation panic but at the heart of the matter is distress.
Does this sound familiar? Lucky for you, this is a pretty common problem that many dog owners struggle with. It can feel isolating and frustrating, but we are here to help!
Resources
Books

Don't Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety by Nicole Wilde
Be Right Back!: How To Overcome Your Dog's Separation Anxiety And Regain Your Freedom by Julie Naismith
Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices by Malena DeMartini-Price
Online Articles/Blogs/Sites
Separation Anxiety (archived page from the ASPCA)
Pat Miller summary article on treating separation anxiety
Emily "kikopup" Larlham separation training tips
Videos
Using the Treat&Train to Solve Separation Anxiety
introducing an x-pen so the dog likes it (kikopup)
Podcast:
https://www.trainingwithally.com/the-podcast
Online DIY courses:
https://courses.malenademartini.com
https://www.trainingwithally.com/about-2
https://separationanxietydog.thinkific.com/courses/do-it-yourself-separation-anxiety-program
https://rescuedbytraining.com/separation-anxiety-course

Introduce your dog if you are new, and for those of you who have previously participated, make sure to tell us how your week has been!

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2024.05.07 05:40 DyingOnHills Drake has clear predatory behavior towards minors - here's proof

This is a long read.
TL;DR: Drake is a creep with a clear pattern of predatory behavior towards many minors and I have the receipts to back it up.
INTRODUCTION
This is a comprehensive post regarding Drake's extremely questionable behavior regarding minors and young women in general. There's more than 60 links in this post to various sources and it contains almost 30.000 characters - if you want to repost, make a YouTube video, an article, a TikTok or Twitter thread then do it - I do not need credit, I do not care - I only want this information to be spread. This post will serve as an archive that people can refer back to or use as a source to back up their claims.
Let me be clear - I do not like Drake. I've thought the guy was a creep ever since the Millie Bobby Brown video and I despise him - but I'll still try to remain as objective as possible here, you know my bias now though.
This thread is partly based on this thread from 2022
THE 17 YEAR OLD AT A SHOW
Drake is performing at a show in Ogden, Denver where he calls a girl up on stage. I really encourage you to watch this yourself, but since I know the majority of you won't watch it, I've described it for you below.
Video starts with her on stage, he asks her name, where she is from, asks the crowd to welcome her to the stage and tells her she looks great. He then asks her to give him two seconds because "I gotta be ready for you". He wipes off his sweat with a towel and proceeds to take her hand, put it on his shoulder, his hand on her hip/back and they slowdance for a few seconds. He spins her around and stop her with her back facing him. This is when it starts to get.. really weird.
Drake says "I told you I like your hair, right, what is it, like herbal essence or something?" while he's caressing her shoulder and smelling her hair. He says something I can't hear properly, puts the mic down and exposes her upper back and neck by pulling her shirt collar down. The crowd goes wild. He then starts kissing her shoulder and neck, putting her arms around her and fondle her breast. The girl on stage looks.. uncomfortable. A few seconds later he picks up the mic again and says "you can't have me carried away again before I get in trouble - how old are you?" She responds "17". The crowd has a mixed reaction - Drake says something that is hard to make out, because of the crowd but when it's clear he says "I can't go to jail yet, man - 17? Why do you look like that? You thick - look at all this!"
It's hard to make out exactly what he says afterwards because of the poor quality (2011 zoomed video at a concert, it's bad..), but he says something about it bringing them (the 17 year old and Drake) to a close and follows it up with "I got one question for you (...) I just want to know if (something about women in Colorado), I should just take one opportunity to take one home?" The girl nods "As a Colorado woman you'd enjoy that?" "Well, listen 17, I had fun - I don't know if I should feel guilty or not, but I had fun. I liked the way your breasts felt against my chest. I just want to thank you." He then puts the mic down again, grabs her hand and kisses it. You might think that was a little over the top, but he then immediately follows it up by putting his hand on her chin and kissing both of her cheeks, her forehead and then on HER FUCKING LIPS. I think he asks her to walk off stage, it's hard to make out, but then he says "It's okay. I'm only 23, I can do shit like that. It's all good, you know what I'm saying" and the video ends.
Addition: I know this girl has said she was not offended, violated, whatever you want to call it, but that's not the point. And I do not mean to sound like a complete dick, but it's not about her - it's about Drake and proving his pattern of behavior over many instances. If you stopped here because she denied it, you completely missed the point.
MILLIE BOBBY BROWN
Now this video was what really made me do a double take on Drake. Now, there's one very important fact to establish here and that is that Millie Bobby Brown at the time of this interview (18. September 2018) is 14 (Born 19. February 2004). I'll quickly transcribe the interview here:
Interviewer: What about your relationship with Drake, tell me about your friendship, how did this all come about?
Millie Bobby Brown: I love him. I met him in Australia and he's honestly so fantastic and a great friend and a great role model. You know we text - we just texted each other the other day and he was like "I miss you so much" and I was like "I miss you more". He's coming to Atlanta, so I'm definitely gonna go and see him and I'm so excited.
Interviewer 2: You and Drake? That's awesome. That's awesome..
Interviewer: What advice does he give you? What does he say?
MMB: About boys he helps me, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah he's great. He's wonderful, I love him.
Interviewer: What's his advice with boys?
MMB: Ehm, you know.. That stays in the text messages.
I'm sure it's obvious what is wrong here and I don't need to spell it out for any of you, but I do have one thing to add. If Drake is giving advice about boys and telling her "I miss you so much" they must have talked for a while. It's not something you say after knowing a person for a week. We are talking months at least. There's 7 months between her birthday and the interview - did Drake already start talking to her when she was 13? It would make sense that Drake was in Australia during their summer (Dec-Feb) for festivals/concerts/vacation. It's probably possible to figure out through social media posts, but I'm not digging that deep.
Millie has only commented on this once which was a few days later in a story on Instagram
I don't want or mean to infantilize her, but she was 14. She would have no chance of knowing if Drake actually was grooming her. There's not a chance that she could understand the dynamic at play and why it's wrong at that age.
Drake also defended their friendship on the song Another Late Night when he raps:

Weirdos in my comments talkin' 'bout some Millie Bobby, look
Bring them jokes up to the gang, we get to really flockin'

“The internet is such a stupid-ass mess right now,” says Eilish, who quit Twitter in 2018. “Everybody’s so sensitive. A grown man can’t be a fan of an artist? There are so many people that the internet should be more worried about. Like, you’re really going to say that Drake is creepy because he’s a fan of mine, and then you’re going to go vote for Trump? What the fuck is that shit?”

On the song Another Late Night where Drake mentions Millie Bobby Brown, Lil Yachty is featured (one of Drake's gho.. co-writers) and he raps the line:

I let her go, she fine as hell but baby wasn't stylish (Yeah)
She had big tits like Billie Eilish but she couldn't sing (Drip)

Now - I know this is not Drake, I just thought it was a 'funny' coincidence that these two women are connected through their shared experiences with Drake and this song. On another note some might say that Drake should have asked Yachty to omit this line if he really was a friend of Billie Eilish since she has been quite vocal about sexualization of herself and women in general.
BELLA HARRIS
This one is pretty fucking bad in my opinion. Bella Harris is the daughter of Jimmy Jam who's a record producer, songwriter etc. and has been very successful. Through him she's been in and around the entertainment/music business her whole life and met Drake that way.
There's an archive of photos posted here that contains the old IG posts she had with Drake. The first one was on May 5th, 2016 - Bella Harris is born 20. April, 2000. She had just turned 16 at the time. Objectively I think they are defendable since they are all music related - Rihanna concert, Summer Sixteen Tour (ironic name..) and the American Music Awards, but then two years later they reportedly start dating and that makes it really difficult to believe, especially with the last archived photo of them in 2018. Also the same photo that is referenced in this article talking about Drake renting an entire restaurant for an intimate dinner between them. Note that E! have confirmed it and are not backing down on their claim despite Harris denying it on Instagram.
Her father liked this post on Instagram about the whole situation. It's not particular to the restaurant or previous potential dating it's more so a general declaration of support for Drake, but that includes the PDF-file allegations.
Him supporting Drake made me search for more information, because I wanted to find whether or not he had spoken about it at the time. That led me to this article where her mother, Lisa, is being asked a few questions regarding Bella.

I was surprised Jimmy Jam hasn't introduced Bella to Drake, Rihanna or anybody else in the music world she is interested in meeting.
"No," said Lisa. "She loves Rihanna, she loves Beyoncé. [Bella has met Bey; her brother Max has met Ri-Ri.] She hasn't met Drake. Too old."

Lisa Harris about a photo of Bella (included in the article) - Bella is 14, almost 15 at the time.

I think Drake would behave himself around a child, even one dressed like this, to wit: Mom doesn't think this photo is too sexy, in all its legginess?
"SHE'S WEARING A BATHING SUIT and a coat!" said Lisa. "Sexy? What? My point is it's a body business, so I don't look at it [that way]. It's a posed picture. She has a one-piece bathing suit on. It's artistic."

Yeah, I’m a hater to society/Real shit, Kylie Jenner that’s a side piece/Yeah, I got 20 muthafuckas in’ Kylies.

“A song that mark ran last night on night owl sound live set shouldn’t have been played,” he wrote, “It’s a song that leaked 3 years ago and got scrapped shortly after. He was just going too deep in the drake/future catalogue. Last thing I’d want to do is wake up having any friends of mine feeling disrespected so I just had to say that to start off the day.”

Drake and Hailey weren't the only ones getting close, with Kylie Jenner and rumoured new boyfriend PartyNextDoor were seen "making out" at the party.
"It was almost like she was trying to make a statement," an insider added.

Really the only artist I reached out to is Drake. I'd never met him, never spoke to him, I don't know why, but he has been following me for the past like 6 years. I don't know why..

Back in 2021 Drake was being exposed on TikTok for his 'private Tinder' where one of his guys would go out and the hottest girls in town, interview them and find the one that Drake would like the best.

“He finds the girls and then he interviews them, and out of all the girls he interviews, he picks the one that he thinks is the best,” she continued. “Then, he drives her to Drake’s place, Drake has sex with her, and then he drives her home. So, basically, Drake has his own private Tinder.”

This girl explaining how her friend was invited by Drake's crew and she was brought along as a +1. No ID check, very young girls. Worth a watch: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonestrauss/video/7365696116085591304
This reddit post - yes I know this is 'so easy to just say', but I think the poster was very right by pointing this out:

I'm sure you guys won't believe me, but this is the type of situation where someone vanishing and telling you is the best you'll get.

This YouTube comment about a girl claiming to be a victim of trafficking in Toronto in 2015 and that Drake had ties in all these circles.
This article from 2016, where Drake and his buddy get aggressive with an amateur photographer for taking pictures of Drake and two women. This isn't strange in and of itself, but then there's this post from 2018

From the article:

The mystery women were dressed identically in matching white parkas, skinny tan pants, tan boots and ponytail hairstyles.

From the post:

Maybe this foreign born one named A+ list singerapper should have told the whole story about his split with a fellow foreign born A+ lister. How she caught him more than once with another woman and his fascination for watching porn involving women wearing pigtails.

This post

This foreign born A+ list singerapper asked for all kinds of photos from not only the 18 year old he is dating but at least two other 18 year old females and he didn't make sure they were 18 before he started asking.

This post

That teen, who was topless in the dressing room of this foreign born A+ list singerapper last night was nowhere in the ballpark of being legal.

This one is fucking WEIRD - some guy was jerking off and noticed something. Now there's plenty of reasons as to why they would do this, it's porn and they need a story. But then there's this post from 2017:

This one named foreign born A list rapper is going around telling porn stars he is starting his own porn company. It is just his excuse to have sex with them all and not pay.
Drake

This Twitter post/video of UK rapper Potter Payper calling out Drake for messaging 'bare young girls in England'.
This entire thread is weird to say the least. More CDAN rumors as well. Read the thread, it's too much to paste and explain here.
Drake paid out $350K to sexual assault accuser - Drake initially filed a lawsuit against Layla Lace/Laquana Morris for civil extortion, fraud, defamation, abuse of process and intentional infliction of emotional distress strongly implying he's innocent - but why pay someone $350.000 then?

The former stripper and Instagram model wrote: "Drake forced me to perform oral on him. It wasn't your ordinary oral it was more so a fetish." She then describes how he told her to spit into a cup "until he had measured it."

This comment about a model claiming Drake 'made girls puke in dog bowls for him'. Now that's a typical thing you can dismiss as a rumor, but the same guy commented 16 days ago and said this:

If Kendrick mentions anything about dog bowls or birthday parties in Toronto, then shit is more serious than we thought

This interview of Aya (Born 24. April 2007) (a 'dancer' in Ice Spice - Deli and probably known for other things I just don't know her) where she's asked about having sex with Drake. She said she can't speak on it because of 'court'.
This Tweet of a guy talking about his experiences in high school and the hottest girls posting from Drake's mansion and being followed by him "every single time".

LYRICS, REFERENCES, TWEETS, PICTURES, TIES
(Again - Feel free to share with me and I'll add it.)

On the song Nice For What Drake raps:

You got a baby Benz, you got some bad friends
High school pics, you was even bad then

This Tweet

"If amazing was a young bitch I'd be going to jail...cause I'm fucking amazing" - Me

This image of Drake and Malone from Drake's Instagram that's been deleted now. Malone is infamous for impregnating a 13 year old when he was 20.
On the song The Heart Part 6 Drake raps:

Just for clarity, I feel disgusted, I'm too respected
If I was fucking young girls, I promise I'd have been arrested
I'm way too famous for this shit you just suggested

Also on the song The Heart Part 6 Drake raps:

Only fuckin' with Whitneys, not Millie Bobby Browns, I'd never look twice at no teenager

His connection to Baka Not Nice who Drake is very close with.

In 2014, Baka was arrested and charged with forcing a 22-year-old woman into prostitution and taking her money. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman and an unrelated weapons charge.

Adel Nur who has very close business ties to Drake. He's executive producing the show Euphoria together with Drake and they co-own some shady companie(s). Another user went in-depth on their connection here.

In “Summer Games” Drake also says ”I kept it decent, even the secrets, kept it between you and I”. What secrets exactly? Well in Jaded, Drake says this woman “told him all her insecurities”.
It’s also interesting that the song “Summer Games” is about a woman who broke up with Drake right at the beginning of the summer. Drake and Jorja were dating in April of 2017 which is right before the summer starts and only lasted a couple weeks.

submitted by DyingOnHills to KendrickLamar [link] [comments]

2024.05.07 02:22 That-Leg7912 The Best Workplace award goes to...

Hello,
I want to detail publicly what it was like working under the store manager at Wilco Farm Stores in Corvallis. I think the people who potentially want to work here or people who are curious about the “Best Work Place” award Wilco has received in the past deserve to know what they're in for. My experience has been nothing near what I would call a best work place. This dissertation will be a collection of past and current employees experiences as well as incidents that I was personally involved in or have witnessed first hand.
Since working there I’ve met several people who I will leave anonymous that have also had problems working here. The amount of pettiness that goes around in the store from the manager is insane to me. Someone who is supposed to be a point of contact for people when they are having a hard time, will spread rumors about staff who are chronically ill or going through hard times medically, who will drive wedges into friendships to try and pit people against each other and openly tries to defy HIPPA to get medical information about his employees.
Let’s Segway into client personal information. Someone that I spoke to let me know that if the store manager finds an customer attractive, that he will look up their information in the Wilco system that stores their phone number, address, and purchase history. He will look them up on social media and if he has an in with them, will try to spark a friendship in hopes of going on dates. He treats the customer system as his own personal dating pool.
Along the same lines of customers, he will racially profile Hispanic and African Americans who come into the store, assuming they will steal. He will have staff follow them around the store while, he watched them over the surveillance cameras. When he’s not doing this, he will talk about customer’s appearances. He will openly call them things like “ugly” and comment on how they speak or dress. If he doesn’t like them, he will call them things like “assholes” and “old bitches.” And if you’re the unlucky target, there’s a high probability that the associate that it helping you, is hearing this actively in their head set as they’re helping you. He will happily sprinkle in an inappropriate joke over the radio throughout the days he is there, and will also actively bully employee’s over the radio as well.
He picks on the younger staff. At one point, a staff member was in the break room crying because he decided to wrap duct tape all around her and got it caught in her hair. She was so scared she would have to cut off all of her hair because of the incident. This girl was so emotionally distraught and luckily someone else was able to help her to get the duct tape out of her hair without ripping too much of her hair out. He felt no remorse for this and to my knowledge never even apologized. He just laughed. I guess he found traumatizing a young employee like that funny.
There is an employee that is extremely chronically ill. He spreads rumors that she is lying about being sick because he “couldn’t find anything” to prove that she is chronically ill, despite doctors notes. He expects her to overwork herself to the point of triggering her chronic illness and needing to go to the ER after work. He will intentionally dump more work on her work load that she can not handle and will belittle her to her face when she tries to explain to him why she can’t do the appointments he has scheduled her. She is observed by staff quietly crying a lot from pain and stress in the break room and when I casually walk by the salon. When asked if she’s okay, she will say with tear filled eyes that she is overwhelmed, overworked, and very sick and doesn’t know what to do. She has expressed to me and other staff members that since he fired the last groomer, that he has placed an unreasonable about of work and pressure on her to make the store money in the grooming department. She has told me she felt underappreciated and lost her passion for working with dogs due to her treatment by our manager as well as firing her partner in the salon.
Our last, groomer who was fired for “insubordination” did not deserve to be fired. At face value it was said she was fired for eating something in the salon when she came to get something out of her desk on her day off. However, the word spread like wild fire internally about how she was fired for “going above” the store manager's head and reporting sexual harassment to HR. I personally know that is not true after speaking to her after she left, during the time she made the report, as well as the events leading up to the report. She was being harassed by another employee, we will call that employee X. X would constantly talk about her sex life. She would bring drama to work. She would show explicit pictures of male genitalia to not only that employee but several others and would hold explicit conversations in the break room around our under aged employees. She would even steal tips from the other groomers. I know that the store manager has been made aware of this as it was happening and has done very little to stop it. He wrote X up for no calling and no showing work, but refused to take care of the problem until the old groomer went to HR. I have asked permission to share the email that previous employee has sent to HR. She said she would think about it, but at this time wasn’t comfortable sharing that for fear of retaliation. She speculates that she is having a hard time finding work and she truly believes the store manager is sabotaging her. She also let me know that the store manager would much rather put his groomers and the client dogs at significant risk of injury to make a profit. If a dog is aggressive he would question the legitimacy of the claim and would often wait until the groomers got bit or the dog had a medical emergency (and sometimes wouldn’t even factor in the dogs health) before cutting the loss and sending the dog home. What is sad about this employee is she would often defend the store manager and his actions. I don’t know if this is because she was scared of him or genuinely liked him. The two seemed to have a decent relationship, at least to the rest of us. When I asked her, she simply stated “I wanted to believe he was a better person than that.”
When an employee has to divulge private medical information to him, he will spread it around the store like hot gossip so that the whole staff knows. He will question peoples diagnosis’ and tell staff that he thinks the person with chronic illness or mental illness is lying about their condition. Along the same lines, if you have a child with special needs, he will tell the staff that that person is lying about it to get extra days off and attention. He will often follow up with “Well, I looked for their medical history and couldn’t find anything so it must not be true.” This is coming from a man who used to work in CPS as a social worker. I know from an employee who asked for a work place accommodation and provided a doctors note, he questioned her. He said that he has never heard of anything like that. And insinuated that this employee was lying about her condition and some how fabricated a doctors note. We had a few pregnant employees recently. One told him private medical information to which, he spread among the staff that had no business knowing. The other one, he didn’t believe was high risk and needed frequent time off to go to doctors appointments. Luckily, both of these women delivered their babies safely.
Another incident that happened, he found out that one of the employee’s was looking for a better opportunity outside of Wilco and was hoping to work in a less hostile environment. Another employee whom I spoke with, accidentally overhead a conversation between the store manager and that employee and had told her “You will not find another job, as long as you’re still working here.” It came across as a threat and insinuating that he would sabotage her efforts to do better for herself. This is not the first time someone has mentioned they felt like he was sabotaging them behind the scenes. Other employees whom I spoke with that have left for better opportunities told me that they kept their looking and leaving very hush hush and asked potential employers not to call Wilco while they were still employed.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes at this store and can confirm from other Wilco’s that this is the bad seed of the stores. I will be updating this post as I receive more insight and more experiences from employees who are too scared to say anything out of fear of mistreatment or termination.

submitted by That-Leg7912 to corvallis [link] [comments]

2024.05.07 00:15 Ill_Spirit911 My parents have possibly fucked me up for life.

So, I'm fourteen and my parents have been abusing me since I was six. Also quick trigger warnings for physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, force feeding and manipulation because this one's a doozy.
There's no words to really describe my parents. Both born and bred in Nigeria, then came to the UK and had me, their first daughter.
My early years... I can't really remember but it wasn't that bad. I mean, my dad didn't start beating me until Year 3 in primary school. My dad's a grown ass man at a good six foot five, literally corded with muscle and he used all his strength into beating me. Belts, remote controls, clothing hangers, but preferably his bare hands did the trick. He'd leave my body sore and achy, and my mum? Most mums would step in, use their body as a shield, call the police- literally anything.
She did nothing.
Sometimes, little me would cry to her about what he did but she would do literally nothing. She'd just rub our sore bodies and say that she was sorry and she'd talk to him. Never did.
And I say our because by then I had a little sister, who he also beat mercilessly. Two years later we had another sister, but he never actually beat her, he only yelled at her but this left her a really jittery mess of a kid, and she's eight now. She cries super easily because she was so used to getting absolutely screamed at.
He beat my mum too infront of us bit she'd never leave him, she just argued infront of him. My mum, at least to me was the lesser evil because she hit us too but she yelled at us more than anything so we liked her so much more then Dad. My dad was also a very loud and confrontational person when incidents occurred at school, and it got so bad that my headteacher sent a letter of notice to our doorstep saying how my dad made his staff uncomfortable. My school tried, I mean they really tried to get me to open up because they could sense what was going on but they just couldn't weed enough out of me to get social services involved.
The one time when I did open up, only about how mum and dad shouted at us a lot but I didn't include the hitting, they called them in for a parent teacher meeting and sent me home with them afterwards. Instead of hitting me, they shouted at me for hours and my mum acted distraught, like there was something wrong with me. She said I needed to go to a pych ward, a mental hospital and stay in a padded room all wrapped up and little nine year old me was like "Mental hospital! I don't wanna go there! Mummy, I'll never speak out again!"
This continued until we moved houses and I started secondary school. And you know how African parents really start to get on their kids asses the moment they start growing up? That was it for me. Like, if I put vaseline on my mum would shout at me and be like "So you like you're grown now, huh?"
I was in Year 7. I was 11 years old.
Genuinely so much more happened but if I wrote it all down here this would take even longer to read but I got taken away from my parents when I was 12. When I told my friends about what was going on at home they were terrified for me but I was too scared to leave. It was only after my dad beat me for walking to the literal field right next to my secondary school, a DOG walking site where a lot of other students chilled at before school started and he FOLLOWED me to school. Literally went on the next bus behind me, recorded me walking with my friends, CHASED me on that field. He dragged me out of there, threatened me that I was finished when I got home and then left.
I told my teachers everything and begged them to not send me home, but they did anyway. That night was probably the most traumatic day of my life, its imprinted in my brain constantly replaying like some 1920's movie. He accused me of being a lesbian, accused me of having a secret boyfriend and interrogated me with my mum. That night I got beat so bad my whole body went numb, then my Dad SA'D me on the living room floor, ejaculated inside of me and threatened to kill me if I told anyone.
So after that I made a plan with my best friend, told her everything (minus the rape) and I went to school the next day and told the teachers everything. Then they finally took action and called social services. The police and social workers showed up in all their special equipment, I gave a recorded statement and they arrested my parents and took me and my sisters away into police care.
So we went into care, have been for two years and it's been a wild, emotional roller coaster. My parents have learned nothing, my dad is 100% adamant that he never abused his kids, along with my mum until now. She's all like "I'm sorry IF I offended you," and "I'm sorry if I MAY have caused you harm"
Like what the hell?
My sisters buy it (literally) because my Dad bought my younger sister an iPhone 14 and Apple Watch, which she loves of course. It's so goddamn blatant it sickens me, and they took her old phone and shipped it off to Nigeria so our grandma (mum's mum) can use it.
My sisters (12 and 8 eight years old now) want to go home and it’s really impacted our relationship because they still look at the fantasy that our parents can change. Especially my twelve year old sister, and SHE was beat by my dad too so I thought she’d understand. For a long time she blamed me for this since I’m the one who went to the police, and my parents still do this too. Back when I used to go on supervised visits with them, they’ll whisper things in my ear when the supervisor isn’t looking like “When are you going to end this? Aren’t you tired being away from us?” Or “You need to retract your statement or the social workers won’t let you come home”
My sisters don’t know about my dad raping me, and I don’t know if I’ll ever tell them, but I probably will in a couple years time. My mum knows though, and she’s still with him and defends herself by saying “Okay but I didn’t witness it” and she’d only leave him if the judge told her to do so, when no court can make her do that, that’s a decision she has to make herself.
Legal wise, the sexual assault case got closed due to insufficient evidence but it did go down on his DBS so he won't be able to work with children, vulnerable adults etc. But he still found a decently paying job, whilst my mum can't get one at all. I don't care at all, as my sympathy is limited for my abusers.
My extended family in Nigeria who do know about my family's fiasco, side with my parents which is utter bullshit. I haven't spoken to my aunties in almost a year because of this. It feels SO normalised in our culture to abuse your kids. It's not discipline, get some help.
Anyway, the final hearing is coming up about where me and my sisters will live and it's pretty obvious we're staying in care. But I like it. A lot. In foster care I feel really safe and assured ten times more then I did at home. Plus, I've been on no contact with my dad in a whole year as I plan to never see him again and my mum is complicated. Relationship's very strained but I haven't seen her in almost nine months, and to be honest I probably won't see her at all. Thank you for listening to my story!

submitted by Ill_Spirit911 to africanparents [link] [comments]

2024.05.06 22:41 DiscoverDurham Things to do in Durham this week!

If you’d like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event organizers to see if events change due to weather. Have a great week!
See the full weekly calendar on our website.

Noteworthy Events

Beats N Bars Festival 2024 at American Tobacco Campus

Get ready to vibe to the scene of hip hop culture and enjoy food while mingling with fellow music lovers. Don't miss out on this epic event that promises to be a music festival & conference to remember.
Fri, May 10 at 6 p.m.
Sat, May 11 at 12 p.m.
$150 for both days

Duke Graduation at Wallace Wade Stadium

The Duke community is excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony held in Wallace Wade on Sun, May 12 2024.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be the commencement speaker.
Fri, May 10 - Sun, May 12

Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Tue, May 7 - Sun, May 12
$10+

Kids Night Out at Museum of Life and Science

Drop your little ones off for a kids-only evening of hands-on fun. They’ll eat pizza, play games, explore exhibits, and work together on science experiments.
Fri, May 10
5:30-8:30 p.m.
$40+

KEM at DPAC

Internationally renowned R&B singesongwriter KEM brings his tour to DPAC. Capable of connecting romantic joy with spiritual renewal, KEM has a unique place in musical culture. Five albums and three million sales later, he has established himself as a prominent voice articulating critical matters of the heart and soul.
Fri, May 10
8 p.m.
$59.50+

Multi-Day Events

ACC Softball Tournament at Duke Softball Stadium

Wed, May 8 - Sat, May 11
All Day

Moms & Mimosas at Urban Axes

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year in the most relaxing way possible: by enjoying drinks and throwing axes! Your booking includes 1 drink per-person and 1-on-1 coaching to get everyone throwing safety and comfortably.
Fri, May 10 - Sun, May 12

Graduation Weekend at The Durham Hotel

To toast the grads, the Restaurant will feature special dinner and brunch menus during Graduation Weekend. Enjoy a three-course prix fixed dinner.
Fri, May 10 - Sun, May 12
$45+

Historic Buildings Open House at West Point on the Eno Park

Enjoy a look inside the historic McCown-Mangum House, Photography Museum, and Mill.
Sat, May 11 and Sun, May 12
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free admission

Jewish Food Week at Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC

This mouthwatering event promises to tantalize taste buds while supporting a meaningful cause, with all proceeds benefiting Jewish for Good's Food Pantry.
Mon, May 6 - Sun, May 12
$5+

Movies at The Carolina Theatre

Monday, May 6

5 p.m.
Arts & Drafts at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Disc Golf Putting League at The Glass Jug in RTP
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
Singles Night at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
8 p.m.
Blondshell at Motorco Music Hall (sold out)
All Black Masquerade Party at Rubies on Five Points

Tuesday, May 7

Events at Boxyard RTP

5:30-6:30 p.m. - Boxyard Run Club
6-8 p.m. - Trivia Night

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

12-8 p.m. - Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
7-9 p.m. - Bull City Beer Runners Run Club

Events at Rubies on Five Points

6 p.m. - Bring Your Own Vinyl with Jaffar
8 p.m. - Night! Night!

11:05 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
12 p.m.
Native Plant Solutions: Clay Soils (Online) at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
5:45 p.m.
Community Fitness Classes with YMCA at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
6 p.m.
Queer Bachata at Arcana
Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
6:30 p.m.
Trivia at Durham Food Hall
7 p.m.
Trivia at Beer Study Durham
Live Piano Karaoke at Congress Social Bar
Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham
TBS 1st Tuesday Blues Jam at The Blue Note Grill
7:30 p.m.
Sip & Strum Ukulele Class at Bull City Solera and Taproom
8 p.m.
Jeremy 'Bean' Clemons Trio at Kingfisher
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Motorco Music Hall
Tommy Emmanuel, CGP at The Carolina Theatre
Open Stage at The Pinhook

Wednesday, May 8

Events at Boxyard RTP

12-2 p.m. - Hear & There: Daniel Delorenzo
5:30-8:30 p.m. - Game Night

Events at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

7-8 p.m. - Signature Wine Tasting
7-8:30 p.m. - Laughs Comedy Night

3 p.m.
Durham Farmers’ Market at Durham Central Park
4 p.m.
Whiskey Wednesdays at Alley Twenty Six
5 p.m.
Free Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham
5:30 p.m.
Wined Down Wednesday: Alcohol Ink Coasters at Guglhupf
6 p.m.
Figure Drawing and Tarot with Devon at Arcana
Witches Brew at Fullsteam Brewery
6:30 p.m.
Eric Hirsh Solo Piano at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Trivia Night with Pickle at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Universus TCG: Local Championship at Atomic Empire
Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewing
Karaoke Night at Mavericks Smokehouse
Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill
7:30 p.m.
Stand-Up with Rhizome Comedy at The Durham Hotel
8 p.m.
Air Hockey Tournament at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia Night at Bull McCabe's
Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery
Pachyman / Combo Chimbita at Motorco Music Hall
Cindy Lee / Freak Heat Waves at The Pinhook (sold out)

Thursday, May 9

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

12-8 p.m. -Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
7-9 p.m. - Thursday Trivia with Nick

12 p.m.
Taking Back Thursday: Mysti Mayhem at Boxyard RTP
1 p.m.
Meet the Keepers at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
3 p.m.
Guided Museum Tour at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
5 p.m.
Thirsty Thursdays at Dashi
5:30 p.m.
Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
6 p.m.
Keegan Heron and Tarot with Virginia at Arcana
Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works
6:15 p.m.
Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
6:30 p.m.
Colorful Flower Arranging Class at DSSOLVR
Line Dance Classes at Mystic Farm and Distillery
Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Congress Social Bar
Candlelight: A Tribute to Whitney Houston at Hayti Heritage Center
Summer Jazz Jam (Curated by Al Strong) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Jazz Jam Sessions at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
7:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square
The DPAC Rising Star Awards at DPAC
Katie Basden with Emily Musolino at The Blue Note Grill
Praying in Bronze: A Handbell Concert at Trinity United Methodist Church
8 p.m.
Weekly Single Mingle at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia at Fullsteam Brewery
Ben Beal w/ Delivery Boys at The Pinhook
9:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night at The Tavern

Friday, May 10

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Company

5-9 p.m. - Food Truck: Tacos Paraiso #1
8-11 p.m. - Open Mic Stand-up Comedy

Events at Mettlesome

9-10 p.m. - Well Seasoned
9-10 p.m. - Hush Hush

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

7:30 p.m. - Blues Lesson + Dance
8 p.m. - 19 Miles From Davis

Events at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

5-8 p.m. - Food Truck Friday
6-8 p.m. - Mel Melton & the Wicked Wojos

8 a.m.
Forest Bathing Walk at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
10 a.m.
Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee
12 p.m.
Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
5:30 p.m.
Friday Night Live: Bull Dirtys at Boxyard RTP
Kids Night Out at Museum of Life and Science
6 p.m.
DJ Marrs and Tarot with Joy at Arcana
Friday Night Makes at Durham Arts Council
The Duke Street Dogs at The Blue Note Grill
Cocktails & Cheeseperience Design at The Blue Ridge Room inside Frontier RTP
6:30 p.m.
Keyon Harrold Presents "Foreverland" Presented by WUNC Music at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
SUB: Terranean at The Fruit
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Magic: Standard Showdown at Atomic Empire
Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ at Beer Study Durham
Freedom Friday w/ DJ Mayor at Congress Social Bar
7:30 p.m.
Film Screening: Shorts Night at Shadowbox Studio
Jake Hart & John Hart Trio at Sharp 9 Gallery
Leonid & Friends – A Tribute to the Music of Chicago at The Carolina Theatre
8 p.m.
KEM at DPAC
Stereo Reveries at DSSOLVR Durham
9 p.m.
Keyon Harrold Presents "Foreverland" Presented by WUNC Music at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Mk.Gee at Motorco Music Hall (sold out)
¡Tumbao! / Cinematheque / Ancestor Piratas at The Pinhook

Saturday, May 11

Events at Atomic Empire

11 a.m. - Magic: Store Championship
11:30 a.m. - Pokémon TCG: Twilight Masquerade Prerelease Tournament
11:30 a.m. - Marvel: Crisis Protocol

Events at Boxyard RTP

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Bark & Bond Social: National Dog Mom Day Festival
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Saturdaze: DJ k.ward
12-7 p.m. - Gold Clover Company: Mother’s Day Blooms
4-5 p.m. - SoapBox: Improv

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Company

2-9 p.m. - Food Truck: Copperhead's Burgers
4-6 p.m. - Live Music: Taxicab Preachers
7-10 p.m. - Beer Pong Tournament

Distillery Tours and Tastings at Liberty & Plenty

Every Saturday, 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.

Events at Mettlesome

8-9 p.m. - Golden Age
9-10:30 p.m. - Secret Society Showcase

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

3-5 p.m. - Irish Music Jam
8-11 p.m. - A Metal Show: GLASS, Hemlock Theory, Hermaeus Mora

Events at Rubies on Five Points

7 p.m. - Adulting: An Early Dance Party
10 p.m. - Shallow Cuts Presents: Pinque Saturday

Events at The Carolina Theatre

11 a.m. - Bailes Afro Latinos
7 p.m. - Joe Bob Briggs Indoor Drive-In Geek-Out

Guided Walking Tours with Triangle Adventures

2 p.m. - Downtown Durham Walking Tour
4 p.m. - Durham African American History Tour
6 p.m. - Downtown Durham True Crime Tour

8 a.m.
Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park
parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park
9 a.m.
South Durham Farmers' Market at Greenwood Commons Shopping Center
9:30 a.m.
Guide Supported Canoeing, Kayaking, and Standup Paddleboarding at Eno River
10 a.m.
Dig into Compost at Museum of Life and Science
Roots and Soul: Walking with Pauli Murray at Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice
10:30 a.m.
Mother's Day Brunch at The Durham Hotel
12 p.m.
Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works
Sylvan Esso 10 year Anniversary Release at Psychic Hotline Pop-up
1 p.m.
Documentary Screening: Puerto Rican Hibiscus at The Fruit
2 p.m.
Mother Daughter Self Defense seminar Women Empowered at Gracie Durham
6 p.m.
Trio Factual Jazz and Tarot with Kathleen at Arcana
6:30 p.m.
Keyon Harrold Presents "Foreverland" Presented by WUNC Music at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Weymouth / North By North / Plastic Giants at The Pinhook
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
ADF Showings at Scripps: Tony C. Johnson at ADF's Samuel H. Scripps Studios
Prints-4-Prince Art Show at PS37
Dexter Moses Trio with Lillian Park at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
7:30 p.m.
Ghost Town Blues Band at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
The Decemberists at DPAC
8:15 p.m.
Let's Chat About the Stars Paddle at Falls Lake Durham
9 p.m.
Keyon Harrold Presents "Foreverland" Presented by WUNC Music at Missy Lane's Assembly Room

Sunday, May 12

9:30 a.m.
Women's Kayaking 101 at Falls Lake
10 a.m.
Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's
10:30 a.m.
Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch at Alley Twenty Six
Yoga on Tap at Fullsteam Brewery
Mother's Day Brunch at The Durham Hotel
11:30 a.m.
Pokémon TCG: Twilight Masquerade Prerelease Tournament at Atomic Empire
12 p.m.
Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham
Farmers Market at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
12:15 p.m.
Public Tour at Duke Chapel
1:05 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
2 p.m.
Hammered Trivia with Casey at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Hillandale Golf Beginner Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
Feel Good, Do Good: FREE Circl Mobility Group Exercise Class at Jewish for Good
Mother's Day Flower Arranging Class at Weldon Mills Distillery
3 p.m.
Lore, Yore, and the In Between at The Carolina Theatre
6 p.m.
DJ Parkside and Tarot with Virginia at Arcana
6:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Moon Dog Meadery
7:30 p.m.
Somesurprises at The Pinhook
8:30 p.m.
Cloud Nothings at Motorco Music Hall

Running Art Exhibits

Jenny Blazing: Scapes - 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist Exhibition at 5 Points Gallery

Jenny’s acrylic and collage paintings are her response to the diverse landscapes surrounding us. Each stroke of color, each layer of texture, is a tribute to the breathtaking natural panorama of our state—from our rolling hills and sundrenched fields to our skies bursting with drama.
Fri, Apr 19 - Sat, May 11
Fri, 5-9 p.m. and Sat, 1-9 p.m.
Free admission

Hometown (Inherited): Ten Year Retrospective at The Fruit

This project examines the changing landscape of our city through a series of forty mixed media pieces the artist has created since 2014.
Third Friday openings on Apr 19 and May 17, 6-9 p.m.
Drop-in by appointment and Wednesdays 4-7 p.m.
Free admission

Dan Gottlieb: Figure Ground at Craven Allen Gallery

Each piece begins as a photograph, which is then printed on acrylic and worked with a variety of paints and compounds to create a unique surface.
Sat, May 4 - Sat, May 18
Free admission

Constellations: 40 Years of Explorations within Sacred Geometry by Steven Ferlauto at Horse & Buggy Press and Friends

Sacred Geometry is an ancient field of physics whose equations are expressed through shape. Shape is a way to explore the universal fabric of our existence.
Sat, May 4 - Sat, June 1
Free admission

It Ain’t All Black And White at DAG Truist Gallery

It Ain’t All Black and White is a photography exhibition that encourages us to consider emotions such as serenity, apprehension, yearning, and more.
Captured by 11 dynamic photographers dedicated to documenting the fullness and complexity of Black life, this exhibition offers each of us an opportunity to see ourselves with renewed attention.
Thu, Apr 25 - Sun, June 2

María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold is a monographic exhibition of a visionary voice in photography, immersive installation, painting and performance.
Thu, Feb 15 - Sun, Jun 9
Every week, Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m.
Free admission

Counterpoints at Durham Bottling Co.

Counterpoints is a curated showcase of local AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) artists, delving into the convergence of AAPI identity and mental health. Inspired by the intricate layers of musical counterpoint, its purpose is to weave together diverse narratives and confront the stigma surrounding mental health within our communities.
Wed, May 1 - Sun, June 16
Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cameron Elyse's Divine Nine Legacy Memoir Exhibition at Hayti Heritage Center

The Divine Nine Legacy Memoir delves deep into the history of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) or "Divine Nine," a collective of nine Greek Letter organizations founded on May 10th, 1930.
These organizations were born out of the necessity to provide a voice for Black American students within the collegiate space. United by principles of service, community, brotherhood, and sisterhood, the Divine Nine work collectively to uplift society through acts of service to underserved areas across the nation.
Fri, Apr 19 - Sat, June 1
Free admission

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2024.05.06 15:26 STLhistoryBuff Weekly Events Thread 5/6/24 - 5/12/24

Please, feel free to add any events below! Check out the Visitor's Guide for more things to do around town!
Looking to meet up with people? Check out Meetup St. Louis.
Be sure to continue scrolling past the Weekly Events for Trivia Nights, Live Music, Sporting Events, Local Comedy, and more!

Chess at the Brewery
- Every Wednesday
- Local meetup group of chess players that meet at breweries on Wednesday nights. They rotate locations each week.
- See their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chessatthebrewery/) for the location this week.
Family Night with Fredbird
- Wednesdays
- Join others at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar for Family Night with Fredbird on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30pm.
Gateway SpeedTour at World Wide Technology Raceway
- May 10 - 11, 2024
- Gateway SpeedTour at World Wide Technology Raceway provides the opportunity to get close to celebrated drivers, legendary cars and much more.
- Featuring 850-horsepower Trans Am cars, classic Covettes, historic F1 cars and more racing on the world-class track, Gateway SpeedTour offers a fun weekend for the whole family.
Give STL Day
- May 9, 2024
- Join our region's largest online day of giving in which our community supports nonprofits. Visit www.givestlday.org to make a donation to the nonprofits that are important to you.
Karaoke Wednesdays at HandleBar
- Every Wednesday
- Browse the catalog and find your favorite songs to sing! Songbookslive.com/stlredcarpet
Karaoke Wednesdays at Mack's Bar & Grill
- Every Wednesday
Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours
- Every Saturday
- Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours: History, Culture, Architecture, and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning.
Laumeier Art Fair
- May 10 - 12, 2024
- For three days in May, you can shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, savor tasty food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment and get creative with hands-on activities at one of the most unique attractions in St. Louis.
- Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the U.S. – and the perfect setting for this exciting event.
- Attracting more than 17,000 patrons annually, the Laumeier Art Fair showcases 150 juried artists from across the country, who exhibit work in 10 media categories: ceramics, fibetextiles, glass, jewelry, 2D mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood.
May's Night Market at City Foundry
- May 10, 2024
- May's Night Market is the premiere slow fashion vendor market in St. Louis! The event features over 40 of the best vintage curators, up-cyclers and independent designers, makers and artists from around the Midwest. With a variety of aesthetics and sizes available, you're sure to find something to love no matter your style! Join others for this free, family-friendly event!
Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
- April 30 - May 12, 2024
- The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, draws you into a world of splendor and romance, a world of eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur and glory. In this world, bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge!
Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection at St. Louis Art Museum
- February 23 - July 14, 2024
- Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection celebrates a transformative gift of outstanding works by Native American artists active across the 20th century. The promised gift of 100 works establishes a critical junction between the Saint Louis Art Museum’s deep collection of pre-1920 Indigenous art and a growing emphasis on the contemporary.
Nonprofit Night at the Armory
- May 8, 2024
- Celebrate nonprofits and get ready for the St. Louis Community Foundation’s Give STL Day during Nonprofit Night at the Armory!
  - Enjoy food and beverages, including a specialty cocktail
  - Explore 25,000 feet of interactive game space
  - Meet Give STL Day nonprofits
- Plus, participate in St. Louis-themed trivia for a chance to win a portion of the $10,000 CASH prize pool for your favorite local nonprofit.
Open Mic Night at Schlafly Bottleworks (Maplewood)
- Every Wednesday
- Join others every Wednesday evening and showcase your talents with our Open Mic Night! Open sign up begins at 6:30PM with music starting at 7:00PM. They welcome original material, covers and spoken word! Grab a beer, then play and listen every Wednesday! There are no cover charges and no drink minimums to attend.
Soulard Farmer's Market
- Wednesdays - Saturdays
- Soulard Farmers Market is located at 730 Carroll Street in St. Louis, Missouri, a half mile north of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday, year round. They feature locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, meats, cheeses, spices, gourmet kettle corn, flowers, baked goods, and general merchandise. There are also several different eateries that have many food options, which allows customers the convenience to grab a quick bite to eat and a drink while shopping.
Sunday Bingo at Tim's Chrome Bar
- Every Sunday
- Get in the mood for some fun with an afternoon of BINGO at Tim’s. They'll supply the cards and daubers. Just bring yourself and your BINGO loving friends. Play for some good laughs and a variety prizes. Bar opens at 12 p.m., they'll start BINGO at 3 p.m. Cheers!
St. Louis CITY Block Party
- May 11, 2024
- Before the St. Louis CITY SC match kickoff, get the party started early with live music, food and drinks on Lou Fusz Plaza! CITY SC presents the free CITY Block Party featuring live performances from Thomas Day, Lani Rose and DJ Mahf, as well as local food and beverage vendors, fan giveaways, and games and activities for all ages.
- The block party is free and open to the public. If you don’t have tickets to the match, stay to catch CITY take on Chicago Fire on the big screen at the free Watch Party on the plaza (7:30 pm kickoff).
St. Louis CITY Street Party at Schlafly Tap Room
- May 11, 2024
- In celebration of ALL home soccer games, Schlafly will close down "Louligan Street" and support our team the only way we know how: great food, drinks, and fun. There are beer tents, food trucks, special (game day and late night) menus, and more. Get here early and park!
St. Louis Microfest
- May 11, 2024
- Join your fellow beer lovers at the annual St. Louis Microfest, where you can sip suds from local, national and international breweries.
- The spring festival also includes tasty food and live music.
St. Louis Scottish Games at Schroeder Park
- May 11, 2024
- The St. Louis Scottish Games are hosting a one-day celebration of all things Scottish including men’s and women’s Scottish Heavy Athletics competitions (featuring the iconic caber toss), Highland Dancing competitions, bagpiping competitions, Scottish clan gatherings, sheep herding demonstrations and a Tug-O-War competition.
- The event also includes Kids’ Activities, Scottish food and drink, a Scottish vendor village and much more! There will musical entertainment all day with a variety of Scottish musicians including the Celtic rock band, the Mudmen from Canada! The Mudmen are known as ‘Celtic Rock Warriors’ and feature bagpipes, acoustic and electric guitar and drums!
Thursday Nights at the Museum
- Every Thursday
- Kick off your weekend at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park! Each Thursday Night at the Museum will be the most fun, engaging, uplifting, thought-provoking, perspective-shaping night of your week. And there are drinks.
- Join others starting at 5:30pm for happy hour and pop-up activities, such as brief tours, games, and performances. The main stage comes to life at 6:30pm, light appetizers and drinks are available for purchase until 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits are open until 8:00pm for you to explore!
Tower Grove Farmer's Market
- Every Tuesday & Saturday
- Join others every Saturday of the 2023 Tower Grove Farmers Market Season. They'll have over 100 vendors with local produce, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, prepared foods, art, jewelry, live music, and so much more.
Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial
- Running until May 27, 2024
- In 'Vietnam: At War and At Home' at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, the story of the war’s origins, execution, conclusion and legacy are presented in engaging, accessible and evocative ways. The exhibit presents a diverse and holistic snapshot of the turbulent times in Vietnam, in the U.S. and in the St. Louis region.

Sporting Events This Week	Attractions Around the Area	Comedy This Week
St. Louis Cardinals schedule	Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Funny Bone Comedy Club
St. Louis Blues schedule	City Museum	Helium Comedy Club
St. Louis City SC schedule	Gateway Arch	The Improv Shop
St. Louis Battlehawks schedule	Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Billikens schedule	National Blues Museum

Trivia Nights
Location	Date/Time	More Information
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten	Tuesdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
Bar K	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
City Foundry	Thursdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Crack Fox	Mondays 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm	They host a weekly free tournament and game night. Emphasis on Non Alcoholic refreshments and camaraderie.
Joey B's on the Hill	Mondays 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Trivia Details
Nick's Pub	Mondays
Felix's Pizza Pub	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
ITAP (Delmar Loop)	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
ITAP (Soulard)	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Schlafly Brewpubs (Any Location)	Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Rockwell Beer Co	Tuesdays	Trivia Details (Reservations required)
The Mack	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
The Pat Connolly Tavern	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Post	Wednesdays 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Trivia Details
Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe	Wednesdays	Trivia Details
HandleBar	Thursdays at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Steve's Hot Dogs	Tuesdays 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Trivia Details
Wellspent Brewing	Thursdays at 7:00 pm

Live Music This Week
*Music Venues*	*Live Music Around Town*
Blueberry Hill Duck Room	1860 Saloon
Chesterfield Amphitheater	BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Delmar Hall	Broadway Oyster Bar
Enterprise Center	City Foundry
The Fabulous Fox Theatre	Gallery Pub
The Factory	Game 6 Honky Tonk
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre	Gaslight Lounge
Off Broadway	The Heavy Anchor
Old Rock House	Jazz St. Louis
The Pageant	Joe's Cafe
Red Flag	The Lot on the Landing
The Sheldon	Tim's Chrome Bar
St. Louis Music Park	McGurk's
St. Louis Symphony Concert Calendar	SoFar St. Louis Secret performances around town
Stifel Theatre	Venice Cafe
	Yaquis on Cherokee

Recurring Outdoor Activities
Big Muddy Adventures – STL Riverfront Adventure	Big Muddy Adventures was established in 2002. They are the first professional outfitteguiding company providing access to the wild wonders of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers.
Gateway Arch Events	There are a variety of things to do along the Mississippi River.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort	Ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking trails opened during the summer. Skiing, snowboarding during the winter.

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2024.05.06 15:20 SkyGinge 🎙️ [Live Commentary] Semi-final 1: Dress Rehearsal 1 @ 14:45 CEST

Welcome to our first dress rehearsal press coverage of the year!

How will this coverage work?

In this afternoon's thread, we will be trialling running our commentary a new way. I will be updating this thread after each performance with my rough thoughts on each rehearsal, with some additional thoughts and comments from some of the other mods too. Please keep refreshing this thread - new updates will be added to the bottom of the OP roughly every five minutes!
For this evening's jury show/dress rehearsal 2/evening preview, we will be covering the rehearsal via Reddit Live like we did last year. This will allow you to read a variety of voices and thoughts on the performances.
___
15:45CEST: We are off! The show begins with a montage of all the artists of this year in postcard style, very wholesome!
15:49CEST: Eleni Foureira kicks off the show, emerging from the middle cube. She's pretty scantily clad and her dance routine includes a bit of handkerchief choreography a bit like Marina Satti this year! There's either fake applause/cheers going on for this first rehearsal or the associated press in the arena are very loud!
15:51CEST: Eric Saade is next, with a rearranged version of his 2011 song 'Popular', complete with a very playful nod to the glass-breaking moment from his original performance.#
15:53CEST: Chanel is next, dressed in a blue costume which reminds me of Albina's (Croatia 2021), with ample booty of course. The backdrop is also blue, and there's pyro for both her an Eleni.
15:55CEST: Our hosts have arrived! Malin is in a pink suit, Petra in orange. About Malmo hosting, Petra says: 'Don't blame me, even I voted for Finland!' They've redone their lines after a bit of improv which reminds us that this is very much the first dress rehearsal. The cheers do appear to be live as whole pockets of the audience have been made up of the press - shoutouts to the press people there in person for being very loud and enthusiastic!#
Song 1: Cyprus
Postcard: The postcard starts with a purple graphic of the world tracing from Malmo to the country in question, in this case Cyprus. There's then a clip from a couple of previous Cypriot entries (1997 and 2012 I believe), and then shots of Silia. It feels quite different but I quite like it!
Performance: This performance really makes the stage feel massive with the use of cyan flooding lights and some effective use of blue flashing lights. Silia is slightly flat throughout and sounds a little nervous in her vocals. Otherwise it's the same energetic open you'd expect. They turned the lights out on her a little too quickly at the end, will probably fix that for the live show!
Song 2: Serbia
Postcard: The songs featured are 2007 and 2022 (Bitti Zdrava!) We see Teya playing her piano in an old building. I quite like the nod to past entrants, but others have mentioned that it provides a comparison to 'greatest' hits which can be unhelpful for current artists. They do also look a bit cheaper than some other users.
Performance: Teya starts off sat down on her rock with some intimate camerawork, being ever so slightly oxymated by the dry ice. She also sounds ever so slightly off to me in the verses, though she's absolutely fine belting it out in the chorus. I must say that I'm not getting fully sucked into the performance here although admittedly I've never really connected with the song - the giant watermarks we get on the digital feed also impacts ability to engage with the performance. There is a very effective final shot though with a lila ramonda which they've kept hidden from the gallery pics! We also see the artists leave the stage at the end, which seems like an intentional new directorial choice.
Song 3: Lithuania
Postcard: The featured songs are 2012 and 2021 (no 2006? Shame!).
Performance: This is the same polished, hypnotic performance from the national final, with a couple of new cool graphical moments. Silvester sounds great too! Camerawork wise there's still too many wide shots (and the video compression is not enjoying all the flashing lights!) but the sound balancing has been pretty excellent so far to my ears.
Song 4: Ireland
Postcard: There's one of Johnny Logan's songs, afraid I missed which one in between messages and catching up typing things! The shots of Bambie are very artistic as you'd expect!
Performance: Bambie starts off with a witchly cackle before the soundtrack has even began (accompanied by a massive cheer from the press). Camerawork is very tight and there's lots of clever shots and imagery which we didn't even have revealed in the gallery - a great shot with a satanic star and with the moon in the background. Bambie is emoting fantastically, and yes there is a costume change! This is three minutes of unforgettable artistry, ending in Bambie's effective high kick from the NF and a massive 'crown the witch' graphic on the backdrop. This is brilliant (and the other mods watching agree). Effing said: 'Wow, Bambie went crazier than Hatari!'
Break: Malin mentions that Bambie is the first non-binary artist - it's kinda weird hearing such an American accent in the main production! Petra then claims to know every single Eurovision song off by heart in a skit where she proves that is not the case. Then the ad break ends and Petra introduces Olly with quite a quick 'Remember, you can't vote for this!'
Finalist A: United Kingdom
Postcard: 1967 and 2022 get shown. Olly is having fun somewhere outside.
Performance: Stream quality took a nosedive at the start so we missed the very beginning. There is lots of very clever 'gravity' choreography, tight dance moves, upside down camerawork and a lot of homoerotic dancemoves. If you found the rehearsal clip too much, you will probably find other parts of it too much although I still think it that clip is the most risque bit. They have stopped the weird facial expressions and open mouths now which helps. The new final chorus is completely revamped and so much better than the original track, with Olly and the dancers finally emerging from their locker room. This enable Olly to go for a vocal big moment which he was slightly off on but otherwise fine. Even then, the camerawork is fantastic, as are the lights and pyro. This is an unforgettable performance and they have elevated this song immensely from the studio. I'm a proud Brit right now!
Song 5: Ukraine:
Postcard: The featured songs were Wild Dances and another one (EDIT: It was Shum, thanks Effing!), afraid I was too busy recovering from Olly and collating my thoughts to notice much else. Interestingly they go straight from the UK into this without announcement.
Performance: Jerry is a little bit vocally weak here and sounds a bit nervy. The graphics are very pretty, with some cool silhouettes on the cubes. There's a couple of other awesome graphical moments, especially the final shot where they lie down on top of a graphic of other women, and a holographic Jerry moment. It's effective but I'd hazard to say not quite as brilliant as a whole as it felt like it might be from the clips seen so far (unsure if the other mods agree!)
Song 6: Poland
Postcard: 1994 and 2014 are the songs of choice.
Performance: This also seems to have gotten a slight musical revamp, with some added melody in the verses and also live backing vocalists providing harmonies which are slightly too loud in the mix. Vocally this is easily the best I've heard from Luna live, although she's still a bit breathy generally. As for what's going on stage, well, it's certainly distinctive. I don't think it's overly distracting in a negative way, but it also doesn't necessarily work either. The moments on the horse are good, but I'm not sure why we need the camera to stick on random chess piece people flailing limbs for so long. The ending seems pretty effective and Luna seems to be enjoying her movement.
Song 7: Croatia
Unfortunately the stream died in a major way at the end of Poland and didn't come back until towards the end of Croatia, and even then was buffering and skipping all over the place. So sadly we can't give any particularly meaningful commentary of this staging until tonight's dress rehearsal. It looked and sounded great from what little we did see though - I particularly love Marko's intonation which he's perfected.
Song 8: Iceland
Postcard: Again missed the postcard due to catching up on post writing! One of the songs was 1986 I believe, but I didn't catch the second one.
Performance: A bit more buffering but the stream seems to have largely recovered. There's some nice lasers and background lights and Hera is owning the stage, but to me she sounds ever so slightly sharp? There's also just not enough going on on stage really to make this engaging, especially after a heavy hitter like Croatia, and her backing singers are shrouded in darkness for some reason. The ending is slightly different with a long note which was ever so slightly off to me.
Ad Break: There's a little bit where they put Eurovision songs over (presumably famous, sorry for being uncultured) movie scenes, tying into Malin's acting experience. There's a shoutout to the many people involved in the technical side of the performance. Clearly the German staging needs a bit of a break as they're still setting it up behind Petra.
Finalist B: Germany
Postcard: Features 1993 (I believe, may have been 1994) and 2010, and Isaak being wholesome with a dog.
Performance: The opening is different to the studio track as he's performed in the preparties. Starts with a slow zoom on Isaak on his seat next to a big fire. Isaak is vocally brilliant and is including lots of extra vocal flourishes, but he's not really hitting any of the cameras and it all feels a bit too much like going through the motions to me. The camerawork is basically lots of slow panning shots around the flaming room. It's nice to see the backing singers appear at the end to do the run na na ay bits, and there's a nice bit with the lights shutting off at the end, but the overall product feels sadly lifeless to me.
Song 9: Slovenia
Postcard: Features 2001 and 2019, underrated gems!
Performance: Starts out very dark with Raiven lying down among some dry ice, but we get to everything being blue and bright rather quickly. The dancers are doing the same thing as in the music video. Camerawork really could do with being a bit more tight, the wide shots don't work for the atmosphere of the song. The ending shot is quite effective too. I don't think this is a write-off by any means but it's not as atmospheric as it could be.
Song 10: Finland
Postcard: Missed the first song due to buffering, but unsurprisingly Kaarija is the other choice!
Performance: Sounded a bit like Teemu was forgetting his words at the start with how he slurred them compared to normal. We do indeed see his ass in at least one camerashot, and there's a couple of moments where we can clearly see his flesh-coloured thong where the dancing/camerawork could do with being a bit tighter. Otherwise it's much the same in terms of visual gags as at UMK. The press in the arena are loving it, of course. The backdrop is surprisingly static and unexciting, as is the lightshow. 'Yeah, this is Finland!' he says at the end.
Song 11: Moldova
Postcard: 2005 and 2010 are shown, although every briefly! We see Natalia getting ready at a studio as well as boxing and going on a picnic with a giant teddy bear.
Performance: This has probably the most colourful and pretty graphics of every performance so far, including a really pretty shot from above with fish swimming around her. Sometimes the graphics and colours are a bit distracting, such as the giant butterflies on the cubes. She's singing well and adding in some extra vocal flourishes, but it really is a very static performance and lacks a clear 'vote me' moment. It was better than I thought it might be from the clips before, but as another mod said, it's lacking that Moldovan magic.
Qualifier C: Sweden
Postcard: No ad break, just a little introduction before Sweden. 1983 and of course 2023 are shown.
Performance: This starts off identically to at Melfest, with the LED walls either side of them and the same choreography and the boys' playful energy. It looks and sounds great. The difference is the end of the song, with the walls pushed right to the edge of the stage. The digital colours and flashing graphics here are immense and this will be a very strong way to start the final on Saturday.
Song 12: Azerbaijan
Postcard: They have a cat! The featured songs are 2009 and 2011.
Performance: Very effective opening here with the use of white and black light and a silhouette emerging from beneath the sea behind Fahree. The backdrop is really cool, as is the use of hands on the floor graphics. Unfortunately he's ever so slightly flat to start and on the very last note, and the camerawork goes full on wide shot city in the chorus which makes it feel a bit flat. You can also clearly see a stagehand rolling the giant hand prop onto stage behind Ilkin (who is perfect vocally). I'm unsure about this - some bits work really well, others feel a bit lifeless.
Song 13: Australia
Postcard: 2015 and 2019 are the songs of choice - poor Dami Im!
Performance: The lights give a kind of rainbow northern lights effects on Zaachariaha's dress, starting with some intimate camerawork which is quite good. It is pretty clearly low budget but they are making the absolute most of the resources they have - their own charisma and well controlled camerawork. There's lots of interactions between Zaachariaha and Michael, and a clever fade into the backing singers arriving. Zaachariaha started singing slightly behind the tune near the end which made it feel a bit messy, which is also how the entrance of the digeridoo bloke feels. Lots of vocal acrobatics too which aren't always convincing.
Song 14: Portugal
Postcard: Missed the first song due to buffering, but obviously 2017 is the second one.
Performance: Lots of stream issues at the start of this one I'm afraid so difficult to get a feel for atmosphere. However, the first shot is really effective in a trimmed narrow aspect ratio which frames Iolanda's expressions. As is the use of white colour throughout which is consistently interesting and adds to the send of intensity that the music gives. Iolanda is vocally flawless, probably the best vocal performance of the day to me. Altogether a very effective performance!
Song 15: Luxembourg
Postcard: 1965 and 1988 I think were shown but again I may be wrong, sorry! Tali is having fun with some friends in a park, and has her now-signature plats too.
Performance: The performance starts out drenched in a kind of pinky-red light as Tali is surrounded by a pink box with other boxes and her dancers around her. Pyro from the first chorus and some clever flashing lights for the revamped end of the chorus. Tali sounds a lot more in control of her breathing to my untrained ear, and she also generally looks and feels a lot more comfortable with what she's doing on stage (though she is a little out of breath at the end!). She's also not got her hair in plats for this performance, instead opting for having her hair tied back - it looks good to me! It's not a perfect performance - the giant CH leopard on the backdrop feels a bit random, and she's over-selling the 'emotional' stripped back penultimate chorus a bit, but this makes a strong end of the semi. Welcome back Luxembourg!
EDIT: Mods who are more familiar with female haircare than me say that this is probably just Tali without her hair done properly.
17:25CEST: Very efficiently, Malin and Petra kick off the voting. Europe, start voting now!
Recap: For now we see random volunteers standing in for the artists in the greenroom! The lady being Silvester Belt is loving it and hilariously it seems to be just a handful of volunteers changing seats! Most of the delegations have gone for the final chorus for their snippets. Bambie goes for the screamo at the very end. We must be cursed because the stream froze again in time for Croatia's snippet!
Interval Act: Johnny Logan gets a very complimentary introduction complete with emotional background music. Not quite sure why they decided to show clips of his winning performances when he's about to perform them again anyway. Ah, that's why - he's singing an orchestral ballad version of Euphoria, complete with an orchestra! It feels more Disney ballad than Johnny Logan ballad, but he's still got the pipes for it!
Green Room: Or should I say the 'pink room', to be more accurate. Luxembourg get a special shoutout and an interview with fake Tali about Luxembourg's victories. Tali's stand in is loving it! The point is made that this is the first time in Tali's lifetime that Luxembourg have participated in Eurovision, which is indeed a fun fact!
We then get a recap of some of the looks from the Turquoise carpet.
Recap 2: To clarify, UK/Germany/Sweden aren't shown in the recaps as they aren't 'competing acts' in this semi. To me, Ireland remains the clear standout because of how stylised the camerawork is, though plenty of other countries look great on the recap. The difference in quality between the first and second halves is pretty stark to me.
Europe, stop voting now! Petra and Malin end the voting by segwaying into a brief skit with the 'Australian commentators', who are upside down of course. After a brief technical delay, Petra has a brief skit about the app with a 'random member of the audience', and then Malin references Belgium 1973's husband and wife duo and dance moves and calls it the first 'Eurovision slay', which is a bit cringy. There's then a 'brief legacy of dance' in Eurovision, showing clips from a lot of different performances across Eurovision history.
17:49CEST: We're now back in the green room with Petra, who makes a joke about providing snacks including a baby lasagna and also refers to herself as 'mother' before giving some fun facts about some of the artists, including Bambie being half Swedish. Then back with Malin on the main stage, who introduces Benjamin Ingrosso...
Interval Act: Benjamin Ingrosso looks completely different to in 2018 - you'd think he's a completely different person given the vocal style is quite different to 2018 too! Not too much to say here, there's some cool angles with the ceiling lights and he performs some of his greatest hits well (including 'Kite'), though with everything else from the postcards to the skits referencing the history of Eurovision it does feel a bit out of place to me! The third song sees dancers finally emerge to join him on stage. The dancers and band are wearing what I'd described as 'Maneskin red' leather. This third song is very groovy and presumably the Swedes in the audience will be loving it.
17:59CEST: Malin and Petra introduce a brief recap through a series of random performances from the past twenty or so years, showcasing the breadth of genres at ESC, including Germany 2009, Serbia and Montenegro 2004, Italy 2015, San Marino 2019, Croatia 2006 and others.
Qualifiers Announcement: With Petra and Malin now equipped with the usual scoring table thing, the LED screen at the back finally opens up 2011 style to reveal the artists behind stage. Malin continues talking over it which is a little strange. Even Martin Osterdahl gets some emotional music for some reason, and a quiet splatter of applause to accompany his traditional 'good to go'.
The fake qualifiers (completely randomised) are: Portugal, Australia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland (with Luna offkey in the clip! D:), Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Serbia, Slovenia and finally ... Finland! Which would mean no Croatia which is not going to happen :P
When the qualifier is announced, we get a splitscreen of their reaction with a clip from their performance. As in previous years it slows down a little for the final three (although Malin jumped the gun a bit in announcing Serbia!).
Thanks for joining us! A couple of other mods will be taking you through the 'jury final' tonight from 21:00CEST using Reddit Live.

submitted by SkyGinge to eurovision [link] [comments]

2024.05.06 11:36 jenajiejing 8. The Greatest Creator is Intelligent

Xuefeng

https://preview.redd.it/awsx4woc0syc1.jpg?width=606&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5329cceae4386931545e02f65a4ebfaec0b4cbd4

The great wisdom of the Greatest Creator is shown in the following three aspects:

1）Building the Cosmic Order

The cosmic order includes:

The macro-celestial moving order, such as the orderly movement of the Law-Rotary Galaxy, the Rotary-River Galaxy, and all the Star Systems within each.

The micro-material structure order, such as the orderly movements of molecules, atoms, electrons, protons, nucleons, mesons, hyperons, and gluons.

The order of LIFE transmigration, for instance when a person’s spiritual nature is upgraded to a certain level, they will become a Celestial Being or a God, but when their spiritual nature is downgraded to a certain level, they will become a dog, a pig, or a tree. If the person’s spiritual nature remains unchanged, they can become another person in their next life cycle. Such is the case with an ox, which can become a person or another animal when its spiritual nature is upgraded or downgraded. A Celestial Being can be upgraded to Buddhahood or downgraded to personhood.

2）Design the Life Structure

The LIFE Structure mainly refers to the genes of all LIFE forms. These genes, as with unexposed film, can be copied repeatedly. The genes of all LIFE forms (the films) are different from each other. The genes of human are different from those of pigs, those of cats are different from those of birds, those of willows are different from those of peach trees, and those of roses are different from those of peony. In general, genes are featured by the homogenous compatibility and hetero-nature repulsion.

For instance, the Asian, African, and European lineages of our species have the same nature and are compatible with each other, so their members can interbreed and produce viable offspring, however, since human, animal, and plant genes are not of the same kind but are incompatible with each other, they cannot mate, and even if they were to attempt to do so, new LIFE would never be generated. Though oxen, sheep, dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, deer, rats, snakes, and otters are all animals, they cannot mate and reproduce because their genes are not of the same type and have different characteristics.

However, the genes of a few life forms are similar. For instance, humans and apes, horses and donkeys, wolves and dogs, chickens and peacocks, apple trees and pear trees can mate or get engrafted. But the new life forms produced are not the same as their parents and they cannot produce their own future generations. For instance, humans and apes can produce barbarians, who are infertile. Horses and donkeys produce mules, which are infertile, too. Wolves and dogs can have the infertile Bei. Chicken and peacocks can produce the infertile phoenix. And apples trees engrafted to pear trees can produce the infertile apple pears.

Though resembling each other, humans and monkeys have different genetic structures and cannot Mate. Even if they mate with each other, they cannot produce any new life. That’s why humans are not evolved from the monkeys. Of course, we cannot say the monkeys are involuted from humans, either.
Fertilized egg only visible via the microscope will end up growing into a tangible life with head, feet, eyes, nose, hair, eyebrows, skin, nails, heart and blood vessels. It is the fruit of the Greatest Creator’s great wisdom. The human hair can grow limitlessly. But the eyebrows and eyelashes, when growing to a certain length, will not continue the growth any more. Why? Because the growth of hair will not impact on the activity of the life while the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes will block the vision. From the embryo to a grown-up, the life grows in strict proportions, which is also designed by the Greatest Creator. Otherwise, the left leg is already 1 meter long while the right one is very short; or the head has taken shape but the ear has not grown. It will produce a monster. Or the heart has begun to work while the blood vessels haven’t started their growth. Thus the heart will die from lack of oxygen.
As a matter of fact, the mechanics engineers and the architectural engineers are also the designers of the genes. The drawings of machines, buildings and bridges designed by them are genes of structures. Based on these genetic structures, workers will manufacture real machines and build buildings or bridges. The work of the workers is based on and within the framework of these genetic structures (drawings). If a building is designed for 5 floors, the workers will not build a 6-floor building. The genetic structure has even defined the window size, position and materials, the wiring and piping.
The evolutionists believe that humans are evolved from monkeys, monkeys from insects, insects from simple cells, birds from the terrestrial animals and terrestrial animals from aquatic life. It is the same as the aeroplanes are evolved from the buildings and buildings from the Swiss mechanical watches.

3）Knowing the Present and the Future

The great leader, Chairman Mao Zedong predicted the future development of more than twenty issues during his lifetime which later proved to be accurate. How? Because Mao Zedong had wisdom. Anyone who predicts future developments accurately is wise. The wiser they are, the more qualitative and quantitative will be the predictions that they give. Scientists are people of wisdom because they have created most of our inventions. Without wisdom, any activities would definitely become messy and disorderly.

Everything in the Universe is in a cause-effect relationship and governed by natural law, and has its destiny from start to finish. So the wiser one is, the more one knows about the mysteries of the Universe.

The Greatest Creator knows the past and future of everything, Gods and Devils know the movements and changes of many things, and the Buddha knows the past and futures of people. Confined by their genetic structures, human can never know everything. For instance, they can never know the last digit of π, or even whether it is cyclical or irrational.

A country running in order and balance where people enjoy their life and work is often governed by a wise brain trust. If the people in this country voice frequent complaints and are annoyed by the criminals, it is definitely governed by a leadership without wisdom.
If a family, in three generations’ time, still can’t cultivate some promising one in it, it is a family without wisdom.
If a person lives in poverty and is not able to grasp any opportunity throughout life, or the person doesn’t know what to do first and what to do second, he or she is someone with no wisdom.
Some people can detect the opportunity from the shift of national leadership, or find the future development from a newly-launched national policy and change his target, these people have the wisdom.
Some people can find the essence from the phenomenon, or know the time of qualitative change from the speed of quantitative change, these people have the wisdom. Zhuge Liang is such a person, proved by his Memorial on Sending Out the Troops, and his weather forecast ability before a battle.
Everything in the Universe runs according to the laws, whether the celestial movement, life growth, ebb and flow, or human life change, etc. None is able to run away from the restrictions of the rules.
Those who know the laws of things and their movement know about the future.
Human beings are able to forecast the time of solar and lunar eclipse hundreds of years later, the calendar and the cosmology destiny of billions of years later, and the weather and temperature in a few weeks’ time. They also know that it takes 18 years for a baby to become a grown-up. The skilled and experienced doctor can know the estimated death date of his patient by judging through the symptoms. Some people with special capacity can calculate a person’s life span. For instance, A Taoist priest once told Chairman MAO 2 numbers, 99 and 8341 (these 2 numbers coincidently match many big events in his life)
Everything in the Universe is in a cause-effect relationship, is inevitable, governed by natural law, and has its destiny from start to finish. So the wiser one is, the more one knows about the mysteries of the Universe.
The Greatest Creator knows the past and future of everything in the Universe. The God and Devil know the movement and change of the majority of things. The Buddha knows the past and future of human beings. Confined by their genetic structures, the humans can never know everything. For instance, they never know the last number of π. They even don’t know whether π is limited or cyclic.
Humans can never have the same wisdom as the Greatest Creator does. But they can reach the level of God or Buddha. The problem is that when we have the wisdom of a God or Buddha, we cannot, or don’t want to be a human any more. The ordinary humans want to survive. When they possess the wisdom of Buddha or God, they want to die. For them, survival is meaningless and death is vital for the life. If they have a fortunate death, they can at least enter the Thousand-year World. If they have a bad death, they have to endure sufferings for the next cycle of life. While people's “pleasure” and “happiness” lie in their ignorance. Once they are literate, the distress and trouble will follow. The “pleasure” and “happiness” of humans cannot arouse the interest of the literate people, who see the life as a tragedy, just like a merrily hopping fawn in the eyes of humans. A young deer is jumping and playing joyfully because it is ignorant. When it knows the surrounding tiger and wolf are killers, it will not be happy any more. As human beings, they never intend to become a young deer simply because of the pleasure and happiness it enjoys. A God or Buddha never intend to become a human, either, unless he is from the senior life space with a special mission.

submitted by jenajiejing to u/jenajiejing [link] [comments]

2024.05.05 23:55 jhitslayer69420 Story time/rant LOL

This girl was doing the “trading turtle for mega bandicoot” scam… the other accounts bio was “second account with my neons on it”. So i called her out and said “girl the other bio literally says it’s your second account…” and she traded me & tried to flex. She flexed her fr frost dragon & her fr owl but declined when i flexed my giraffe, frost, nr african wild dog, nfr ssbd & nfr ccbd…. and started calling me broke & said “no free pets for you brokie”??? like girl i didn’t ask for “free pets” you flexed and i flexed back and you lost. She kept calling me broke and so i told her to flex on me more & she just kept declining my requests… & was still calling me “broke” LOL.
Anyways, point of the story is that scammers get too mad when you call them out☠️.

submitted by jhitslayer69420 to AdoptMeRBX [link] [comments]

2024.05.05 18:01 Accurate-Broccoli-77 The Canines, anthropomorphic dogs, and their role on Earth and beyond.

Canine in the Canidae Grasslands
The Canidae, commonly known as Canines, are a sapient species that evolved on Earth from domesticated and wild dog ancestors. Canine society is structured around strong pack hierarchies and fierce territorial instincts. Despite their quadrupedal ancestry, Canines have adapted to be able to walk bipedally when needed to interact with other sapient species, though moving on all fours remains their preferred mode of locomotion. Their civilization is roughly equivalent in technological sophistication to 19th century humanity.

Etymology and Definition

The scientific name for Canines, Canis sapiens, is derived from the Latin "canis" meaning "dog" and "sapiens" meaning "wise". Thus the name translates to "wise dog", reflecting their sapient intelligence that emerged from canine ancestors.

Evolutionary History

Canines evolved relatively recently, diverging from Earth's dog species in the early 4th millennium due to a combination of natural evolution and genetic manipulation by human scientists. This clandestine bioengineering project, retrospectively known as Project Ascendancy, imbued various species including canines with sapient intelligence around the year 4280. Adapting to Earth's post-cataclysmic environment, proto-Canine packs gradually developed complex social structures, tool usage, and language - key traits of their civilization.

Subspecies

Canine subspecies have adapted to thrive in different environments across Earth:

Veldurae Caninae: Swift and agile plains-dwellers of the savannas with tawny coats that provide camouflage. Renowned for their endurance, hunting prowess and sun-worshipping culture.
Tundran Caninae: Hardy northern Canines with thick white and gray pelts to withstand the arctic chill. Expert survivors and communal hunters revered for their pack solidarity.
Arborae Caninae: Nimble canopy-dwellers of the rainforests with mottled green and brown coats. Arboreal villages linked by bridges exemplify their complex society in tune with nature.
Omnicans: Adaptable urban explorers adept at repurposing relics of human settlements. Sleek builds and keen night vision suit their adventurous, resourceful lifestyles.

Canine-Elder Hybrids

Rare hybrid Canines also exist, mingling traits of Canines with the mysterious Elders:

Lysilum Canis: Wisdom incarnate with silvery pelts, glowing with an inner light. Reclusive philosopher-mystics rumored to live for centuries.
Prismacanis: Iridescent-furred beings able to refract light, blending Elder photonic arts with Canine vitality. Known for prismatic communication displays.
Aeonian Canids: Timeless lore-keepers with expanded minds and lifespans. Serene ceremonialists devoted to preserving ancient knowledge and traditions.

Biology

Canines retain the same biological fundamentals as their ancient ancestors, being fur-covered, warm-blooded mammals. However, their physiology has adapted to enable more dexterous tool manipulation and a greater range of vocalizations for language. Brain size and structure has expanded to accommodate higher cognition. Physical attributes vary between subspecies but commonly include keen senses of hearing and smell, swift running speed, and formidable jaws.

Intelligence

With intelligence roughly comparable to 19th century humans, Canines are fully sapient and capable of complex reasoning, language, culture, and technology. However, their cognition remains rooted in their evolutionary past, specialized for thinking and problem-solving in terms of pack social dynamics, hunting, territorial mapping, and other dog-relevant contexts. Canine intelligence combines wild instinct with civilized ingenuity.

Society

Canine society centers on the pack as the core social unit, characterized by strong cooperative bonds, fierce loyalty to packmates, and wariness of outsiders. Complex pack hierarchies based on familial ties, merit, and ritual determine leadership and responsibilities. Territories have well-defined borders that are communally patrolled and marked.
Packs coalesce into intricate societies at wider levels of Bands, Regions and Nations that together make up the entirety of Canine civilization. Governance occurs through dominance hierarchies and councils of elders practicing collaborative but resolute decision-making. Laws derive from long-standing traditions and the guidance of revered ancestors.
Canine society retains an intimate, sacred connection to the natural world. The changing of seasons, lunar and solar cycles, and the migrations of prey hold immense cultural weight. Hunting is as much a bonding ritual as an economic necessity. Stewardship and respect for the environment is a core Canine value.

Culture

The oral tradition reigns supreme in Canine culture, with revered Lorekeepers and storytellers passing on history, mythology, and practical knowledge to younger generations. Most Canines do not read or write. Communication places great emphasis on body language, pheromones, and other subtle cues that convey richer meaning than words alone.
Howling features prominently as an art form, with ceremonial howls and chants used for spiritual expression, social bonding, and long distance messaging.
Rituals celebrating ancestral pack heroes and spirits of nature are the cornerstone of Canine spiritual life. Ceremonies are often timed to astronomical events and season changes. The ethics of "pack first" loyalty, honor, and devotion to duty permeate all aspects of culture.

Technology

Though very intelligent, Canine technology remains less advanced than contemporary human capabilities due to their non-industrial society and cultural focus on tradition over innovation. Much Canine technology consists of elegant but pre-industrial stone, wood, and bone tools supplemented by repurposed scavenged artifacts.
However, in the realms of biotechnology, such as selective breeding, pheromone communication, and herbal medicines, Canine capabilities are extremely sophisticated. With the careful guidance of Lumen mentors, some Canine groups are beginning to adopt early industrial technologies and scientific theories, signalling a potential for rapid future advancement.

Relations with Other Species

Canines have limited experience interacting with other sapient species beyond the Lumen guides who discreetly oversee their development. Small scale encounters and cultural exchanges with Cephalopods, Felines, Sus and others do occur, but many Canines remain wary of outsiders. As a young civilization, they are only beginning to navigate the complex realities of interspecies diplomacy. However, the forward-thinking leadership of the Canine Intergalactic Nations and Factions suggests the potential for the Canidae to take on a greater role in the galactic community in the future.

Canine in the Canidae Grasslands

submitted by Accurate-Broccoli-77 to LumenUniverse [link] [comments]

2024.05.05 11:18 NitwitTheKid If Highschool of the Dead enters the public domain.

Listen up! In the world of anime and manga, brace yourself for some truly wild crossovers featuring characters from Resident Evil and Shaun of the Dead. These collaborations are set to bring in fresh perspectives and elements that the original manga couldn't touch due to pesky copyright issues. Let your imagination run wild with this one: picture SpongeBob SquarePants, the eternal optimist, thrown into the zombie-filled chaos of Highschool of the Dead. Joining forces with a group of high school kids, a plucky nurse, and a fearless child with her trusty dog, they battle the undead while Plankton tries to swipe the secret formula. It's a mashup more entertaining than a pineapple under the sea!
Think about the legacy future generations will get from stumbling upon these ancient Reddit threads from our era. Despite the copyright hurdles, our brainstorming sessions today will be a goldmine for future creators. Who knows what kind of wacky tales and outlandish ideas will sprout up years or centuries from now, inspired by our quirky chats? The possibilities are as endless as a Shonen protagonist's power-up sequence!
You can practically taste the excitement for a hypothetical crossover between Highschool of the Dead and Black Clover. Picture Takashi Komuro and Miku Yuuki getting zapped into the world of Black Clover, sparking chaos and laughs. Maybe they even have a kid who's a quirky blend of both worlds. Sekke Bronzazza, the spitting image of Miku Yuuki, could be the living proof of this bizarre crossover. Who knew the apocalypse could be this hilarious?

submitted by NitwitTheKid to HighSchoolOfTheDead [link] [comments]

2024.05.05 10:52 Eifand Why would a loving God create such a brutally violent natural world? If God truly cares about the weak then why does the Natural World that He created reflect the exact opposite of this? Why is Creation built on the brutalization of the weak since before Man had even been created and fallen?

"The final result is a picture of Nature wholly painted in shadow—a picture so dark as to be a challenge to its Maker, an unanswered problem to philosophy, an abiding offence to the moral nature of Man. The world has been held up to us as one great battlefield heaped with the slain, an Inferno of infinite suffering, a slaughter-house resounding with the cries of a ceaseless agony."

Henry Drummond, The Ascent of Man

From the origin of life to the development of complex creatures with conscious experience, Life has been one long, violent struggle, "red in tooth and claw" as they like to say. Even the body of Man, which God brought about by the natural processes (before it was ensouled and therefore before the Fall), have come about through this process of evolutionary selection through fierce competition and death.
Natural history reads like a battle royale.
In fact, if you look at the history of life and the process of Evolution, it seems more like something created and directed by a God of Macabre Brutal Violence in which the weak are food for the strong, a God which valued pure Survival at any cost, a God of relentless, merciless competition. A God obsessed with "Fitness". Nature IS stained by blood, no matter how you dress it up. Nature is violent, often incredibly so. New life forms are brought about through natural selection by means of brutally violent predation as a selective pressure.
A God that made and sees a baby snake eaten alive by a centipede or a calf eaten alive ass first by a pack of African Wild Dogs and calls it good is not one I would call a God of Love - more like a God of the Macabre.
How do you reconcile a loving God with such a brutally violent and blood soaked natural world? Why would a God of love create such a brutally violent and blood soaked natural world which is filled with horror? Why would a loving God use such a violent and macabre way to bring about the evolution of His creatures?
Human on human violence can easily be explained by the Fall. But the violence inherent in NON HUMAN creation can’t be explained by that because it predates the Fall or even the Creation of Man. The issue with just saying oh the Fall just caused human death is that the problem of animal suffering and death still remains. Before humans were ever created and had fallen, animals had been killing and devouring each other in gruesome, horrifically violent ways for hundreds of millions of years before that.
In other words, the brutal violence of Nature seems like a feature, not a bug. A deliberate design by God and not as a result of a mishap throwing His design out of order.
There is a further issue - a defining feature of Christianity is that it posits a God that genuinely cares for the weak - the poor, the sojourner, the disenfranchised, the outcast, the orphan, the widow, the blind, the leper, the sick, the lame etc. and implores the Strong to use their strength to take care of the Weak rather than use it to brutalize them. This is in stark contrast to many of the Gods that came before such as the God of the Vikings or of the Ancient Greeks and Romans which instead prized and rewarded strength and martial valour. The weak and misfortunate were utterly despised by the Gods that came before the God of Christianity.
But I was struck that the claim that the God of Christianity genuinely cares for the Weak and implores the Strong to care for the Weak doesn't seem to bear out in real life if we actually look at the natural world that He apparently created from the beginning up to the present. What I mean is, if you look at the world as it is and always has been from the beginning of life, it doesn't seem like the type of world you'd expect a God of Love who genuinely cared for the weak to make.
Now even within the same species or the same group, there is a hierarchy in which the Weak are constantly brutalized by the Strong. There have literally been studies on the effect of being the lowest on the rung within social hierarchies of various species such as baboons and its not pretty.
A good example are chickens. Anyone who has ever had chickens will warn you not to put in a sick or recovering chicken in with the rest of the flock. If you put in a sick or injured chicken, the other chickens will literally peck at its wound. In many cases, they will take turns pecking the weak chicken to death. This is very, very common. It's literally where the phrase "pecking order" comes from. It is something that is so strongly instinctual in chickens and many other species, to brutalize and devour the weak even within their own group.
If God cares for the Weak then why did He create a natural world in which the Weak are brutalized? In which any perceived weakness awakens the bloodlust of those above them in the order of things? In which the Mighty rips apart the Weak and devours them, sometimes while they are still alive? In which, often times, the only way to survive is through the utter rape and annihilation of the Weak?
Look at the T Rex, an animal designed to brutalise the Weak for sustenance. A macabre masterpiece of pure bone crunching violence. Why would a God who cared for the Weak and implores the Strong to use their strength to care for the Weak deliberately design something like T-Rex or Megalodon, 2 creatures that don't really have a choice (being hypercarnivorous and unsuited to a diet purely consisting in plants) BUT to crush the Weak to survive? The Natural World doesn't seem to match with a loving Creator that cares for the Weak.

submitted by Eifand to DebateAChristian [link] [comments]

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