Howdy! I just finished up my first year in the Texas A&M Engineering program as an out-of-state student and have enjoyed my time on campus so far. I chose A&M over other schools that also had amazing engineering programs for the campus culture and vibe that was significantly different from everywhere else I visited. I have no family members in Texas nor any family/friend connection to the school, so I am appreciative of everyone I have met so far, for the people I am to meet in the future, and those who make the Aggie experience the one it is! Especially for the fact that it makes me feel like I have a home outside of my home!
With campus culture aside, financially, I am in a bit of a pickle. I was aware of this issue before going to A&M, but it was a more of a gamble on whether this would play out my way properly, but one I was willing to take in order to be an Aggie. For context, I received 0 scholarships with my acceptance letter for attending the institution, and countered my offer to the financial aid office based on the fact I had a 35 on the ACT and was ranked in the top 4% of my high school class of about 550 students. With this in mind, the school gave me a mere $4000, and not per semester, in total. Meaning, only $500 per semester for 4 years when my tuition which costs about $19,000 per semester. Essentially, nothing. The reason I was able to attend A&M was only based on the fact that my grandparents had a college fund built up for me and that I won a bunch of scholarship competitions that paid off the first year. While I can work a job to pay for food and get some help regarding living expenses from my parents, we cannot afford to pay this on top of almost $40,000 of tuition per year. Even more so as I have 2 younger brothers that will soon attend college. I would have to go into debt next year – assuming I do not receive any additional scholarships – and this jeopardizes my life for about the next 15-20 years as I did want to attend grad school immediately after undergrad.
I initially took a gamble financially on this school as there is a policy that declares that out-of-state students can get an automatic in-state tuition waiver if a student receives $4000 of scholarship from the university. Not other organizations, just simply whatever scholarships are directly affiliated with Texas A&M, and I believe this is specifically through the University Scholarship Application. Prior to committing to the school, I thought that this would be a feasible threshold to obtain as I knew my work ethic and that I would do anything to alleviate the financial burdens of not only myself, but also my family and to give my younger brothers a chance to attend the college of their dreams. Regarding my stats, I would like to think I am a competitive student as I earned a 4.0 GPA, I was in an academic student organization related to my major, an additional academic club (not-related to major but just out of interest), and a sport/recreational club. However, while in Texas, I have learned the "state rivalry" between my home state of California and Texas is for some reason a real thing outside the internet. I am concerned that this rivalry, while sounding farfetched, may screw me out of reaching this $4000 threshold. To note, the only scholarships that apply to the $4000 threshold are ones that are deemed as "competitive scholarships." Meaning, scholarships where not only a pool of out-of-state are being considered, or only in-state, but rather both groups being viewed in the same pool of applicants for a scholarship. The only reason I voice this concern is because this legit happened in the past to me with the stats I had in high school before coming to A&M. I have heard stories from other out-of-state students (from different states than mine and similar stats in high school) have either their out-of-state tuition waived or had a full tuition scholarship given to them by the university. Furthermore, with Texas pride as a probable bias toward those on scholarship committees, I am concerned I will not be even fairly evaluated as a majority of money will just be given to less or equally competitive individuals due the fact their families currently reside in Texas. This also was a common occurrence I ran into at Texas A&M, as a good amount of in-state students received something from the school prior to attending the university.
I would also like to note that obtaining residency in the state would not necessarily be the difficult part, it would be for the school to recognize me as an in-state resident for tuition purposes. With all this in mind, here are my questions below that I have.

1. What are the odds I have at receiving the threshold of $4000 to get the in-state waiver?
   
2. If I don't receive the $4000 threshold, I will likely be only able to pay for another semester maximum without going into the trenches of student debt. What would be the best course of action from here? Do I go back to my local community college and then see if I can transfer with scholarship to an in-state university? Do I stick it out at A&M and go into debt or potentially go to a community college in Texas, obtain residency, then transfer back?
   

I apologize for the long post, and I will take any helpful advice into consideration!
Thanks and Gig 'Em!

I’m in a bit of a conundrum. This is my first time going to the public sector. I’m taking a 31k pay cut with the intent to regain some work life balance after climbing super high and touching the sun in leadership. Being as burnt out as I got I figured seeing how a public sector role fit would be.
With that being said, this role comes with a pension option PERS2 and PERS3.
PERS 2 is a defined benefit and the calculation is 2% x years of service x average of top 5 earnings years. This vests in 5 years but you need to retire at 65 to get full benefits otherwise they are reduced though I can’t find anything online by how much. I contribute 6.63% of my paycheck to this plan.
PERS3 is the same as the above minus my contribution from my paycheck and instead of 2% it’s 1%. Instead you contribute 5-15% set and you cannot change it to a market fund probably like an S&P funds. Vests in 10 years and you only get 1% pension payout in the end which the employer contributes to.
Interestingly is you can choose PERS 3 then also contribute separately to a deferred compensation like a 401k up to $23,000. Also, both pension options get continuous COLA increases and I could set my wife as the survivorship beneficiary.
I’ll probably need to cut back given the pay cut I took to go public on my contributions so my first question is if I’m contributing to the PERS 2 option at $447 a month how much should I consider putting back into deferred compensation? Based on my math last year I only have about $3000 extra a month after all bills to play with.
For context, in prior years I’ve been slamming my retirement for me and my wife maxing eve to thing. I have about $600k in a mix of 401k and brokerage, about 30% of that is in bonds some are generating monthly income that I put back into the money market fund. House equity is around $320k but that’s not accessible. I’m 37 years old and I think around 100k a year in today’s future money would probably give us a fairly comfortable life.
I guess I need to figure out if I’m going with full pension can I cut back on my 401k and Roth contributions and how much ok? Also, with the PERS 3 option I can tap the S&P and potentially retire and access funds easier at 55 and forgo the juicy pension. I think I’m on track for early retirement, but I want to get your thoughts on how you’d handle this change in income and contribution approach. Still need some money for house repairs and such 😅

So I think I gapped this E4 jungler (during a norms game) today playing nidalee vs eve in a 40 min game (13/5/8 7.4csm, 3 grubs 1 baron 3 drags vs 7/10/13 4/7 csm 1 baron 2 drags 1 herald.) He was flaming me said that he did better because he did more damage (eve 25,607 and me 24,394.)
Basically how the game went was that my team got some kills early on, eve kept ganking lanes and invading me but failed most of the time (only started to get kills late game due to poor positioning from my team) and I kept on counter-jungling him, taking quadrants and sometimes his entire jungle)
I ended up doing the second lowest amount of damage in the game, but I attested this to focusing alot on counter jungling and only taking high probability ganks and trying not to force fights. Should I focus more on my damage output?

Hello,
My husband, 2 kids (7yr old boy, 12yr old girl), and I are seriously considering a permanent move to OBX from central CA this summer. My husband makes surf movies (has been doing this since he was a teen, he works for himself), I am a dental hygienist.
The cost of living in our current town in CA has become absolutely outrageous (average monthly rent $4,400 for a 2 bedroom apt, houses cost on average $2M here). We are not millionaire folk and are really struggling here as we have outgrown the current apt we are renting and just want a decent house for our family so our kids can have their own rooms, nothing fancy. Moving in our town is no longer an option for us as the prices have increased so much in recent years. We are hoping to relocate to a more middle class, down to earth area but also due to my husband’s line of work we need to live where there is great surf. We lived in a rural surf town on the coast of Australia for 2 yrs and loved it; we are not high maintenance people. What we are mostly concerned with is finding a family friendly, affordable (compared to central CA) area with good schools, a happy place to raise kids.
Would anyone have any insight into if OBX might be a good fit for us?

36 female East Indian Canada
2 kids 4 miscarriages
Hysterectomy - ovaries intact
Endometriosis Migraines High blood pressure Depression Psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Bursitis
Vicoram Crestor Elavil Zoloft Ketamine (1 time a week with psychiatrist) Ozempic Iron supplements Magnesium Vitamin c Vitamin d
I had a long work day, and only on about 2 hours of sleep
This evening I started getting like random head rush while standing.
I went to shower and it got worse it almost felt like I was moving up and down or the tub was like vibrating if that makes sense
My finger tips went blue, this has happened once before when I was pregnant.
Then just broke into a complete sweat like had to change my shirt. I came and laid down and now am trying to rest but I feel horrid.
Oh and I took my bp and it was perfect 121/87 pulse 102
I don’t know what to do or how to make it go away.

Hello,
Currently, I am trying to use a W25Q16 module with my stm32 through SPI. The datasheet specifies that it supports a clock frequency up to 133 mhz on single SPI mode. However, whenever I see tutorials online using this module. I see that everyone is setting a high prescaler, limiting the clock frequency between 2.5 - 5 mhz. I was wondering if there was a reason for this, or if I should just use the datasheet specified clock frequency?

hello, i am suicidal. i have been suicidal for an awful long time but the thoughts stay dormant most of the time. i don’t find a reason in even posting this because the likelihood of anyone seeing this or even reading this far is low. but if you’d like to listen to my sob story feel free.
to start, i’m 16. and before you blame my hormones or just “growing up”, it isn’t. i’ve been on so many medications and trial and error tells me that the issue is within me somewhere. i’m a first born american from a long lineage of powerful people who have drive and verve in every aspect of life, i’ve seemed to miss that but i guess. ever since kindergarten i’ve been severely bullied for the way i presented myself; physical and social. i could never seem to get it right. once i began 2nd grade that was the first time i was ever conscious of my body and how much space my feelings took up and began bottling everything up. now as a sophomore in high school i’ve lost all drive and that bottle is about to shatter. i’m a druggie who can’t stop smoking weed every single night to cope with the fact that my pillows are wet with tears. i’m a burn out who went from a 3.8 to a 2.2. i’m a anorexic who lies to mom every night telling her i’m getting better. i’m a loser with no friends. i’m a fucking pariah who can’t keep a fucking talking stage going for more than a week. i could keep going but you get it i genuinely don’t know what i’m feeling, i feel like a fraud calling myself “suicidal” because i know i’ll never actually commit to it but i’m just wishing and praying that someday i’ll close my eyes and won’t wake up. i’m so fucking pathetic that sometimes i cross a high traffic road with my eyes closed or stand in front of the train tracks and hop off last minute. i just feel so helpless. every night i look at the lidocaine in my moms bathroom and wonder what would happen and how awful my mother would feel. the only reason i’m still breathing is for my mother. she the only light that keeps me going but i feel like soon that won’t be enough.
if you see this please help me i’m so lost

I am a supplier from China, with over 6 years experience and I handle more than 5,000 orders every day. 1. Provide high-quality products, any products from China factory. 2. Provide fast delivery to major countries in only 5-8 days. 3. Provide free ERP docking shops.

My partner and I are extremely worried for the health of my MIL (66F) who believes she has Type 2 Diabetes but refuses to go to a medical doctor because she's suspicious of modern medicine. She has not seen a doctor for over a decade. She refuses to. She will only see her acupuncturist/Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
We saw sores on her legs that she's refusing to get treated. She also claims to have high blood pressure. She will not even wear a bandage or compression socks because she thinks they will cause more sores. She gets sores like this regularly. Both of her parents had Type 2 Diabetes and she has been showing symptoms for a couple of years.
It's quite frightening and we're trying to find SOME way to get her a proper investigation of her symptoms and test for diabetes and high blood pressure, even if just to rule them out. She has severe mental health problems and will not listen to anyone. She has been making jokes recently about dying from a heart attack. She does not believe in modern medicine, is an anti-vaxxer, etc, and believes in a lot of fringe theories. She's currently terrified of "DNA harvesting" and will not even let repair people into the house, so I'm not sure we could even get someone to come over. I have no idea what to do. Does anyone have any advice on handling this?

I am a type 2 diabetic who has always had great control over my blood sugar. I have managed my blood sugar through diet and exercise only for the last 6 years. A little over a month ago I received a cortisone injection in my hand to treat trigger finger. I expressed my concerns about this injection to the doctor because I am aware that steroids can cause elevated blood sugar in diabetics. The doctor assured me that I could experience elevated blood sugar for no more than 1 week and that no complications would come from this because my blood sugar is in the safe zone to receive the injection.
My blood sugar went sky high for one month (I was staying 300-450). I went to the ER twice. After being unable to get my blood sugar under control for so long, I went into something called diabetic ketoacidosis, a life threatening complication of diabetes, and I was in the ICU for 2 days. While I was in the ICU, we discovered that my pancreas lost most of its function and it is only operating at 20%. I was referred to an endocrinologist after I got out of the ICU and the endo expects my pancreas to be completely dead within 6 months. I am now a type 1 diabetic and will need to be on insulin for the rest of my life. Doctors have confirmed this occurred because of the injection.
I feel that I was completely uninformed of the potential consequences of the injection, even after asking about them and expressing my concern for them. Had I been informed, I would have made a different decision. My life is permanently altered.

Got my bottle a few weeks ago. This is what I did..

1. I have been struggling with bright lime green grass growing at crazy rates, way beyond my grasses growth rate. Every pic I post, some percentage of people say it’s poa triv. I’m not an expert but it’s certainly looked like it and mesotrione hasn’t knocked it out.
2. Once I knew I was getting the Velocity PM, I tank mixed mesotrione and triclopyr to mark all of the bad spots. Sprayed it down immediately and let it turn its usual white. My grass looked like a Grateful Dead tshirt.
3. After about a week, I mixed the Velocity PM and hit all the bright white spots in my lawn. That was 13 days ago. The temp’s have had highs between 70 and 90 as the instructions state. In all honesty, It’s not 100% clear what the recommended temps mean in terms of application. Is the 70-90 range a high threshold? A range which the temp can exceed? Anyways, I applied it.
4. Done 2 cuts since then and all of the lime green is nearly gone. The temp hasn’t risen above 90 but has dipped below 70 during the evening. I interpreted the 70-90 range to be daytime highs. Seems to be right.
5. Tomorrow is day 14 and going to go after same spots again. Overall, I’d say it’s working, really effectively working. It honestly looks completely gone.
   In the same way 2,4 d makes clover disappear. When it’s finally gone, u question whether it was there at all.
   

Today, I have 0 lime green in my lawn. I’m dealing with some patchiness but the poa annua and the poa triv aren’t apparent at all. Once this last remnant of white grass disappears, I’ll have a perfect lawn. I’m applying it again tomorrow to be sure. These b’tard strains have been known to be tough.

Hi there, just bought a ps5 slim disc console which comes with an hdmi 2.1 cord.
I didn’t know this and bought a seperate hdmi 2.1 cord.
Are all cords the same if 2.1?
Bought cord: GTEK ultra 8k, full ultra, high speed.
Thanks!

“True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Bio
Name: Taylor Bennett Armstrong	Date of Birth: 04/03/2024
Age: 15 years old	Gender: Demiboy
Sexual Orientation:	Nationality: Canadian
Ethnicity: Irish-Jewish	Languages: English, French, Japanese
Hometown: Toronto, Canada	Demigod Conundrums: ADHD

Family:

Name Relation Age Occupation Relationship ------------
Benjamin Armstrong Father 42 years old Artist Taylor shares a special bond with his father, Benjamin Armstrong. Despite being a single parent for much of Taylor's life, Benjamin always made sure to provide a loving and nurturing environment for his son. He recognized Taylor's unique talents from a young age and encouraged him to explore his creativity without limitations. Benjamin's own passion for art and innovation served as an inspiration for Taylor, shaping his worldview and igniting his love for invention. Benjamin supports Taylor's dreams and ambitions wholeheartedly, even if he doesn't always understand the mechanics behind his son's creations.
Eliza Armstrong Stepmother 43 years old Graphic Designer She brings a different perspective to Taylor's life. As a graphic designer, she values precision and order, which sometimes clashes with Taylor's more spontaneous and chaotic approach to creativity. However, despite their differences, Eliza cares deeply for Taylor and wants what's best for him. She worries about Taylor's safety and well-being, especially when his inventions go awry and cause unintended chaos. She often finds herself playing the role of the voice of reason, urging Taylor to think things through more carefully before diving headfirst into his next project. Despite their occasional disagreements, Eliza recognizes Taylor's potential and admires his boundless imagination and ingenuity.
Rachel Armstrong Half-sister 10 years old Student Rachel Armstrong, Taylor's half-sister, adores her older brother and looks up to him with wide-eyed admiration. From a young age, she was fascinated by Taylor's inventions and artistic talents, often trailing after him like a curious puppy, eager to learn and explore alongside him. Taylor sees Rachel as the most precious angel in the world and is very protective of her. He takes great joy in teaching her how to sketch, build, and code, fostering her own love for art and invention. Rachel, in turn, idolizes her big brother and cherishes their time together.

Appearance

Faceclaim: this Picrew Voiceclaim Walter from Spies in Disguise

Features	Description
Height	5’8 feet
Weight	157 lbs
Hair	Ginger
Eyes	Blue
Skin	Tan
Build	Lean, slim
Scent	Ink, paint, oil
Attire	Gamer Aesthetic

Overview: Ginger Hair: One of Taylor's most noticeable features is his vibrant ginger hair, which seems to have a life of its own. His locks cascade in untamed waves around his head, framing his face in a fiery halo. Despite occasional attempts to tame it, Taylor's hair always manages to retain its wild, rebellious spirit, reflecting his own untamed nature. Taylor's eyes are a mesmerizing shade of blue. They sparkle with curiosity and intelligence, constantly darting from one point of interest to the next. Across Taylor's nose and cheeks are scattered a constellation of freckles, like tiny stars dotting the canvas of his face. Despite his intelligence beyond his years, Taylor's face retains a youthful charm and innocence. His features are soft and rounded, with a hint of boyish mischief lurking behind his bright smile. There is a sense of wonder and curiosity in his expression, as if he is forever on the brink of discovering something new and exciting. Taylor's fashion sense is a reflection of his personality, blending comfort with a hint of geeky flair. He favors graphic t-shirts adorned with characters from his favorite video games, showcasing his love for gaming and pop culture. His hoodies are oversized and well-worn, providing both warmth and a sense of familiarity. Taylor's cargo pants are practical and utilitarian, offering plenty of pockets to store his tools and gadgets for tinkering. His sneakers are his constant companions, scuffed and worn from countless adventures and late-night gaming marathons.

Personality

“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” Dorothy Parker
Quality Traits Positive Optimistic, Creative, Kind-hearted, Spontaneous, Resilient Neutral Naive, Chaotic, Impulsive, Eccentric, Idealistic Negative Gullible, Overbearing, Impatient, Inattentive, Stubborn
Overview: Taylor radiates an infectious positivity that lights up any room he enters. He greets each day with boundless enthusiasm, seeing every challenge as an opportunity for adventure and growth. His optimism is unwavering, even in the face of adversity, and he has a knack for finding the silver lining in the darkest of situations. Taylor's sunny disposition makes him a joy to be around, and his genuine smile can brighten even the gloomiest of days. Taylor marches to the beat of his own drum, embracing his individuality with gusto. He has never been one to conform to societal norms or expectations, preferring to chart his own course through life. Taylor's free-spirited nature is reflected in everything he does, from his spontaneous inventions to his unconventional approach to problem-solving. He thrives on the freedom to express himself creatively, unbound by rules or conventions. Taylor's energy is boundless, and he approaches everything he does with an infectious sense of excitement and wonder. He is easily captivated by new ideas and experiences, often bouncing from one project to the next with the fervor of a child in a candy store. Taylor's excitable nature fuels his insatiable curiosity, driving him to constantly seek out new challenges and adventures. Despite his youthful exuberance, Taylor possesses a keen intellect far beyond his years. He is a natural problem-solver, able to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to even the most daunting of challenges. Taylor's mind is a whirlwind of ideas and possibilities, constantly buzzing with new inventions and artistic endeavors. His creativity knows no bounds, and he revels in the thrill of bringing his imagination to life. Taylor's intelligence and creativity have instilled in him a healthy dose of confidence, bordering on cockiness at times. He knows his worth and isn't afraid to show it, often speaking his mind with a brashness that can catch others off guard. However, Taylor's confidence is tempered by his humility and genuine humility. He is quick to acknowledge his mistakes and learn from them, never allowing his ego to overshadow his humanity. At the core of Taylor's personality is a deep well of kindness and empathy for others. He genuinely cares about the people around him and goes out of his way to help those in need. Taylor's compassion knows no bounds, and he often puts the needs of others before his own. He is quick to offer a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, and his unwavering support has endeared him to many. Beneath Taylor's cheerful exterior lies a vulnerability that he often tries to conceal. He is sensitive to the opinions of others and fears being rejected or misunderstood. Taylor's insecurities stem from a desire to be accepted and valued for who he truly is, flaws and all. Despite his outward confidence, he struggles with feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, yearning for genuine connections and validation. Taylor's drive for excellence can sometimes border on perfectionism, leading him to be overly critical of himself and his work. He sets high standards for himself and is often disappointed when he falls short of his own expectations. However, Taylor's perfectionism is tempered by his resilience and determination to persevere in the face of failure. He sees each setback as an opportunity to learn and grow, refusing to let obstacles dampen his spirit. Taylor has a gift for communication, able to express his thoughts and feelings with clarity and sincerity. He is a natural storyteller, captivating audiences with his animated anecdotes and infectious enthusiasm. Taylor's ability to connect with others on a deep emotional level makes him a trusted confidant and valued friend. He listens intently to others, offering words of encouragement and wisdom when needed. Taylor approaches life with a sense of adventure, always eager to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of what is possible. He thrives on the thrill of discovery, relishing in the excitement of unknown possibilities. Taylor's insatiable curiosity drives him to seek out new experiences and embrace the unknown with open arms. Whether embarking on a daring quest or simply trying out a new recipe, he approaches each adventure with the same sense of wonder and excitement. Taylor has a playful sense of humor that often borders on mischievousness. He loves to joke and laugh, finding joy in the absurdities of life. Taylor's playful nature brings levity to even the most serious of situations, helping to ease tension and lift spirits. He delights in pulling harmless pranks and sharing witty banter with friends, always with a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face. Taylor is incredibly adaptable, able to thrive in any environment or situation. He approaches change with a sense of curiosity and excitement, eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities. Taylor's ability to adapt to different circumstances has served him well throughout his life, allowing him to navigate the complexities of both the mortal world and the realm of the gods with ease.
Preferences
Favourite... Item Food Macaroni and cheese, mango milkshake Colour Electric Blue Season Summer Weather Sunny, warm, clear skies Music Pop, rock, orchestral, jazz, celtic Animals Bunnies and Cats Book/Movie Genre Fantasy, Sci-fi, Romance, Slice-of-life, Adventure, Action Media Avatar: The Last Airbender, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom Hearts, Legend of Zelda, Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, Pokémon, a scary amount of anime, etc…
Hobbies:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Crafting
• Sewing
• Video Games
• Cosplay

Demigod Info

Powers

Name	Type	Description
Psychometry	Domain	The ability to glean information from a particular object relevant to the parent's domain, especially its material make-up and method of creation. (Crafts, Mechanics and Art)
Enhanced Skill Proficiency	Domain	A trait where one is naturally adept in the skills lorded over by their parent. (Crafts, Mechanics and Art)
Summon Tool	Domain	The ability to summon any small tool. (Once every 5 minutes or per turn.) (Duct Tape or Superglue)
Machine Communication	Minor	A trait where one is able to understand and communicate with automatons and machinery (includes code).
Electrical Resistance	Minor	A trait where one is able to resist electricity to a such degree that they are able to withstand badly interacting with small appliances.
Machine Manipulation (Technokinesis)	Minor	The ability to directly control mechanisms, machines and automatons.
Basic Enchantment	Major	The ability to imbue weapons, crafts, machinery and automatons with magical properties (modmail for specific enchantments). Options: Weapon Transformation—into a mundane item; Monster Hunting Proficiency for a) Fleshy Monsters—Sharpness, b) Armored Monsters—Bludgeoning, c) Ghosty Monsters—Absorption

Weapon of Choice: Bastard Sword
Fatal Flaw: Naivety Taylor's fatal flaw lies in his inherent naivety, stemming from his trusting and optimistic nature. Despite his intelligence and creativity, Taylor often lacks the worldly wisdom and discernment needed to navigate the complexities of the world around him. His naivety makes him vulnerable to manipulation and deception, as he struggles to see the darker intentions lurking behind the smiles of others.

Items and Equipment

Name	Age	Description
Sketchbook	7 years old	Taylor always carries a sketchbook with him, filled with doodles, sketches, and designs inspired by his vivid imagination.
Art Supplies	3 years old	As someone who enjoys art, Taylor keeps a collection of art supplies like pencils, markers, and colored pencils, allowing him to bring his creative visions to life wherever he goes.
Tool Kit	5 years old	As a budding inventor and tinkerer, Taylor carries a compact tool kit with him at all times. It contains essential tools like screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and a mini soldering iron, allowing him to repair gadgets, fix mechanical issues, and work on DIY projects on the fly.
Nintendo Switch	2 years old	Taylor never leaves home without Nintendo Switch. He keeps a selection of his favorite games in his backpack, ready to play whenever he has a spare moment to indulge in his love of gaming.
Music Player	3 years old	Music is a constant source of inspiration and motivation for Taylor, so he always carries a portable music player loaded with his favorite tunes.
Cat Headphones	1 year old	High-quality headphones that allow him to escape into his own world of music whenever he needs a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They are cat-themed for no reason other than Taylor felt like it.

Trivia

• Zodiac Sign: Pisces
• MBTI: ESTP-T (The Entrepreneur)
• Enneagram: Type 7 (The Enthusiast)
• Love Languages: Words of Affirmation (receive); Acts of service (give)
• Quirk: Doodling on almost every surface he sees when bored.
• Fears: Hurting People, Big Animals

Backstory

“There is no innovation and creativity without failure.” ***Brené Brown*
Taylor Bennett Armstrong was born into a creatively vibrant family. His father, Benjamin Armstrong, was a dedicated artist who often spent hours in his studio, painting and sculpting. Benjamin's work was deeply inspired by classical art, and his studio was filled with references to mythological themes and ancient techniques. This environment planted the seeds of creativity in Taylor from a very young age.
Taylor’s biological mother was Techne, the goddess of art, craft, and invention, but he had no knowledge of her divine heritage. His mother left shortly after his birth, leaving Benjamin to raise Taylor on his own. Despite the absence of his mother, Taylor's early childhood was filled with love and encouragement from his father.
When Taylor was five, Benjamin met Eliza, a talented graphic designer, at an art exhibit. They quickly bonded over their shared love for art and soon married. Eliza embraced Taylor as her own, though she struggled to understand his unique, often chaotic way of thinking and creating.
Even as a young child, Taylor showed remarkable intelligence and creativity. By the age of six, he was building simple machines and drawing intricate designs. His father was both amazed and slightly concerned when Taylor began to take apart household appliances to understand how they worked. While Benjamin encouraged his son's curiosity, Eliza worried about the constant mess and occasional accidents that resulted from Taylor's experiments.
Taylor’s half-sister, Rachel, was born when he was five. She looked up to her big brother with admiration, often following him around and watching as he created his various inventions. Despite the occasional mishap, Taylor and Rachel shared a close bond, with Taylor frequently making small toys and gadgets to entertain her.
School was both a blessing and a curse for Taylor. His intelligence allowed him to excel academically, but his unique way of thinking and his constant tinkering often got him into trouble. Teachers labeled him a "problem child" due to his inability to sit still and follow conventional methods. Taylor's inventions occasionally caused disruptions, further cementing his reputation.
Socially, Taylor found it hard to connect with his peers. His enthusiasm and intelligence often intimidated other children, and he was frequently taken advantage of by classmates who used him to boost their own grades. These experiences left Taylor feeling lonely and self-conscious about his naivety, although he never let it dampen his cheerful spirit.
Taylor's life took a dramatic turn when he was 15 years old. One day, while working on a particularly ambitious project in his makeshift workshop, he was visited by Oleander, a satyr sent by Camp Half-Blood. Oleander had been observing Taylor for some time, noting his extraordinary abilities and his connection to the divine.
Oleander revealed to Taylor the truth about his mother, Techne, and his demigod heritage. At first, Taylor was skeptical, thinking it was some sort of elaborate joke or fantasy. However, Oleander's ability to demonstrate his satyr powers and his deep knowledge of Taylor's unexplained talents eventually convinced him.
Explaining the situation to his family was a challenge. Benjamin, who had always suspected that there was something special about Taylor, took the news in stride. Eliza, though worried and confused, ultimately supported the decision, understanding that Camp Half-Blood could provide Taylor with the guidance he needed. Rachel was both excited and scared for her brother, worried about the dangers he might face and she would miss him.
Thankfully, despite the huge distance he and Oleander had to travel from Toronto to Long Island went calmly, for the most part, with not many delays or monsters attacking them.
Well, at least until they reached New York. After that, the whole “calm journey” was out the window. It almost seemed like all the monsters decided to wait until they were close to their destination to suddenly appear one after the other. First they had to somehow avoid a cyclops. Then they were attacked by dracanaea. And finally, they were chased by harpies until they crossed the border of Camp Half-Blood.
By some miracle, they were still alive.
What a way to be introduced to demigod life.

Present Day

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun” Mary Lou Cook
Taylor's arrival at Campbell Half-Blood was… something, alright.
You know, being chased by monsters from New York to Long Island, passing out in between attacks and then waking up in the Medic Cabin feeling like you've been hit by a truck and maimed by a cat at the same time was, in short, not fun. It also didn't help the fact that he had to stay in bed to get treated for what, hours. Which, for someone like Taylor, was absolute torture. Good for him then that demigods, apparently, had magic healing and he didn't have to stay for days instead. At least Oleander was around to explain every detail about the world he's been thrust into now that he was out of danger. And as a plus, he was also claimed, so yay! He had no clue who Techne was, but he was sure he would learn soon enough.
So, what does Taylor do after getting patched up? Does he wait and rest for a bit just to make sure everything is okay with him? Does he stop for a moment to process everything that has happened to him in the last 24 hours?
No! Of course not! This is Taylor, after all. Him staying put for more than 10 minutes would be a miracle already.
Instead, he just went off on his own to see what this Camp Half-Blood was all about. He just had to get to his cabin first, which would be relatively easy with Oleander's instructions, and then he could explore this place to his heart's content!
Hopefully, Camp Half-Blood would be ready for the chaotic force Taylor would prove to be.
[OOC: Hello, everyone! Say hello to my new character, Taylor! Feel free to interact with him literally anywhere at Camp, he's probably going to be there at some point anyway lmao. Thanks for reading;)]

I am looking for 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures 2. There is a physical disc that exists as a Taco Bell promotion but I cannot find it for sale online. If anyone owns this I would pay you $100 for it & give you a mediocre virtual high five. =D

It was a lot of luck that the stock sky rocketed and helped me reach FIRE within 2 years of OE. I'm considering dropping one job to have a sane mental state. I feel like i have developed a split(dual) personality and i have to think twice before talking about work with anyone. I also forget many things in real life.
J1 is high paying, high risk, smallish company. J2 pays well but less than half of J1. It is a stable (whatever that means these days) job with big company( 5000+ employee)
OE has also caused me to be extra paranoid as staying in one job feels very risky; at the same time my life is mostly work these days. My linkedin and resume is absolutely destroyed, I'm scared of interviewing for any big company without showing a gap in my resume. I applied for a job that very well matches my skillset, just to test the waters, but quickly got rejected.
TLDR: i'm confused, scared, but I want to go back to one job. Which job should I leave?

Hi I’m fairly new to all of this so basically I’m looking to go into the dental field im 18 just outta high school so I’m now applying for colleges to start my major can u guys help me know what major n the steps I should take in detail. To do this Also there’s a 12 week dental academy that I can go to for 9000 to be a dental assistant should I do that while now starting college or can I wait till next year I need advice asap I don’t know what to do

I've spent the better part of the last week going through courses on how SAAS works and how to sell it to clients. I'd been operating under the SMMA model by focusing on running Facebook ads for mortgage loan officers, with the intent to relaunch after making some adjustments to the business to get an appointment setter to call the leads and book them onto the calendar rather than having the loan officer do the leg work.
Did a bit of a deep dive on SAAS and I have a general understanding of it, but the thing that a lot of the courses I look at don't teach is how to build out the things that you're going to sell to clients. The tutorials I've watched had me importing snapshots that just dump a whole bunch of Calendars, Websites, Automations, Funnels, etc that I don't know how the ins and outs of, so it's been a bit overwhelming.
I have a couple of smaller questions, but I'm mainly coming here to have this answered:
Where do you start?
Assuming the technicalities surrounding the operations of a business are already built out (niche, payment processor, domain, etc) how do you focus on what to build FIRST (through GoHighLevel, in my case) when you're overwhelmed with figuring out how to build the thing to get the results your clients are paying for?
Now for some of the smaller questions I've come across:

1. Considering GoHighLevel has a website builder, is there any reason to mess around with WordPress?
2. I was trying to figure out how to have a "branded" email rather than just my Gmail, but I can't set up the dedicated domain to have that properly routed. This may be an issue unique to Squarespace right now since I can't delete records either, but if anybody has figured out a way to use their regular Gmail account to send/receive @ companyname emails I'd love to hear it.
3. Some courses advocate for stuff like HL ProTools Uphex or Yext. How essential is it to have these forms of support early on?
4. What do you think is required to build out to have a minimum viable product to test?
5. Is there anything you've learned that I didn't ask about here that you would've liked to have the answer to in your own journey early on?