Do not be afraid to use your HANDS TO CLEAN while using a Bidet!
Many people express concerns on this forum regarding bidets and their effectiveness in cleaning. IMO, the 'spray and pray' method is ineffective. A lot of marketing for sit-on bidets suggests a hands-free approach with slogans like "Look ma, no hands!" This is a bad advice trying to coverup for its design flaw. Originally, bidets were designed to be used with hands. Nowadays, only standalone bidets (European style) and bidet sprayers are designed with this usage in mind.
I discovered a YouTube video that explains how to use bidets properly, which I found quite helpful. By the way, I wonder how many of us use a dedicated towel after using a bidet! How to use a bidet (youtube.com)
I'm eager to hear about your experiences and thoughts on this.

The first time I felt the pain was in Nov'23 when I woke after a full night's sleep on the rocking chair with my 1-year-old on the left side of my body. The pain wasn't bad; I thought nothing of it. I went golfing, and probably 13th holes down, I felt a pain, and I knew something was wrong. I powered through the round, but the next day was hell. I couldn't manage to get up from my bed, and I couldn't believe how weak my leg felt. I am fairly athletic and have played sports my whole life, so being unable to get up from bed was embarrassing and such an ego hit. i took time off work because I couldn't sit and work for a long time. I went to the doctor, who gave me painkillers and said it was most likely sciatica pain and could go away soon if I gave it rest. The pain lingered for a few weeks, so I finally got an MRI, which confirmed I had an L5/S1 1cm disc protrusion on my left side. I was prescribed strong painkillers, which didn't have much effect on the pain. I am a stomach sleeper, so I had to put a lot of pillows on my stomach to get any sleep. I went through some PT, but it was useless, to say the least since the therapist felt like they were not sure exactly how to make me feel better. The pain improved from an 8-9 to 5-6 till March'24
One day, I woke up pain-free. I couldn't believe it. After a long time, I slept well through the night and woke up with little to no pain. I could only feel some tingling in my little toe, but other than that, the pain was gone. I was over the moon and started to feel normal again. After a couple of days after going to the golf range, I decided I was ready for a full 18-hole round again. BIG MISTAKE!! I remember swinging my driver on the 10th hole, and the dread and pain shot through my leg like I never felt before. I had quit right there and had to go back home. I was probably worse than I had started; the pain definitely was. I had to take another two days off work because of my stupid mistakes.
I learned my lesson and decided to go through full recovery before trying golf again ( I cannot stop playing golf; at least I won't quit that quickly). I do the regular stuff and even play with my son. I have now been giving my back and leg good rest and doing some exercises(I will add later), and my pain has subsided to almost level 1. I can do everything and even play with my son without worrying. Here are some things that I have been doing that have helped me tremendously in my recovery

• Get good sleep. Managing it somehow(painkillers, hot pad, etc) helped, but I cannot tell you how much better I felt every time I got good sleep.
• Learn to sleep on a hard surface. At least till you fully recover, sleep on a yoga mat, as it helps tremendously to keep your spine in a neutral and natural position. It will suck for a day or two but it gets better.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Reduce weight. Period. Do whatever it takes to take that pressure off that disc. Even if you are lean, cut more weight.
• Listen to your body. It will give you signs of what it likes and what it doesn't. Don't do anything it doesn't like, even if a YouTube or PT tells you to. Everybody and disc herniation is unique. The disc can protrude and press on the nerve at different angles; not even an MRI can tell you exactly how it is oriented. For example, doing Cobra gave me more pain than I relived, so I stopped doing it. Squatting helps me tremendously. So, the first thing I do is squat for 30 minutes or more when I wake up. It has helped me tremendously. So listen to your body; it will guide you.
• Be positive. Easier said than done, but focussing on recovery rather than dwelling on the pain. You have a choice to make. Make the right one! Don't be too hard on yourself. Sciatica pain changes you as a person. You are a shell of your former self, and recovery can feel like forever. But let's give this fucking pain a fight, I promise you will get better.

I still need to work on being 100% there, but I am 90% there (after 7 months), so here's hoping I can feel like my old self again and go out playing and doing things I love, soon.
Cheers!

DON'T MISS THE "SKOOL" BUS IN 2024
It's the best platform to build your community and host your courses.
An edu-creator's dream...
There are communities less than 5 weeks old making $100k/month.
Everyone has this opportunity NOW.
I created a comprehensive SKOOL GPT that's packed with:

• FAQs
  
• Top tips to monetize successfully
  
• Step-by-step questions to help you get started
  

Clarity is KEY.
Use it here (FREE):
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-AaBWvUdOx-s-k-o-o-l
This GPT is 100% FREE, but all I ask is that when you create your Skool, please consider using my referral link (at no cost to you) : https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=ac0f03659c90494c97b30a733bc765d1
My community grew to 800+ members in just 3 months, without ANY marketing, paid traffic etc.
Here's a guide to help you on your journey to $10k/month with Skool:
1. Initial Setup and Planning

• Identify Niche and Audience
  • Define three interests or topics you are passionate about.
  • Research and list potential mentors or creators within these interests.
• Create a Content Database
  • Collect and store winning ideas and content in a database (e.g., Notion).
  • Focus on content that addresses the pains and desires of your target audience.
• Develop a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
  • Write a long, unorganized brain dump paragraph explaining why you are unique in your field.
  • Identify what makes you or your offer different and valuable.

2. Content Creation and Distribution

• Package and Synthesize Content
  • Connect ideas and add your thoughts.
  • Develop content tailored for specific platforms (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, YouTube).
• Develop a Hook for Content
  • Ensure hooks are relevant, create awareness, require low effort, and tease the ending without revealing it.
  • Remember, the hook is 80% of your traction.
• Content Strategy Funnel
  • Create top-of-funnel content for broad awareness (60-80% of content).
  • Middle funnel content to build trust and recognition (20-40%).
  • Bottom funnel content with strong calls to action (CTAs) for conversions (20%).

3. Building the Community on Skool

• Create Your Skool Group
  • Set up your community on Skool with appropriate categories (e.g., Wins, Questions, Announcements, Challenges).
• Design Courses and Modules
  • Break down your info product into modules and lessons.
  • Include a mix of video and text content for comprehensive learning.
• Gamify the Community
  • Utilize Skool’s leaderboard and points system to encourage engagement.
  • Set levels and rewards for active community members.

4. Lead Generation and Capture

• Create a Newsletter or Lead Magnet
  • Develop a free newsletter to provide value and capture emails.
  • Promote your lead magnet through social media with clear CTAs.
• Lead Magnet Examples
  • Guides, case studies, or video sales letters (VSSLs) that address a specific problem.

5. Launching and Growing the Community

• Build a Waitlist
  • Use CTAs in your content to direct followers to a waitlist for your community.
  • Regularly promote the waitlist through your lead magnets and newsletter.
• Launch Sequence
  • Create a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) email sequence leading up to the launch.
  • Use main marketing messages to build urgency and exclusivity.
• Develop a Landing Page
  • Follow a structured format highlighting your niche, offer, social proof, pain points, benefits, how it works, client wins, and bonuses.
  • Use tools like Carrd.co to build a simple, effective landing page.

6. Community Engagement and Retention

• Accountability Mechanisms
  • Provide coaches, mentors, weekly calls, and direct reviews.
  • Encourage community members to share their progress and seek feedback.
• Network Building
  • Facilitate networking through open discussions and collaborations.
  • Organize events and challenges to foster community bonds.
• Continuous Value Addition
  • Regularly update course material and provide new resources.
  • Introduce gamified challenges with rewards to keep members engaged.

By following these steps and consistently providing value, you can effectively build and scale your Skool community to 800+ members within 3 months.
Thanks for reading.

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/C66EG9M
Pics and serials: https://imgur.com/a/cd1CZIJ
I accept Paypal, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, Apple Pay.
Bundles > Dibs.

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Clone Correct URGI 10.3 Upper

Here i've got a clone correct URGI 10.3 in a smooth shade of DDC. All parts are unfired except for the BCG/CH and Upper receiver. Had this assembled and sitting in my closet for close to a year now, i love looking at it but it's time i sell some extras.
Parts List:
Surplus Colt 13629 Keyhole upper
Daniel Defense 10.3 Barrel NSN Marked w/ DD GB and Tube
Colt C stamped BCG
Geissele 9.3" MK16 DDC
Geissele DDC ACH, NSN Marked (shade matches MK16)
Surefire 4 Prong, NSN Marked
Cosmetic Condition: Like New, minimal salt.
Asking $1199 shipped

BCM BFH 14.5 P/W Upper

BCM OEM Upper with BFH ELW profile barrel
P/W 14.5 to 16 with SF3P Warcomp
Comes with Radian Raptor CH, BCM BCG, FCD EPC.
400-500 rounds
Cosmetic Condition: low salt
$799 $769 shipped

Geissele MK16 9.3" Black

Blemula but re-nitrided so the blemula logo is barely visible.
No salt like new. Barrel nut has some marks.
$199 shipped

FCD Crap 🦆

• 2x ABC/R serrated bolt catches, $55 each. 1x center, 1x forward biased

AR15 Spare Parts

• H&R A1 Upper Stripped (Grey): Mild salt from being thrown around in parts bin, $129 shipped
  
• Daniel Defense Mid length tube + MK12 style Pinnable gas block: $69 shipped (500ish rounds)
  
• 1x K2 Grip BNIB ODG: $20 shipped
  

BRN4 Parts from Forsaken Build

2x BNIB Operating Rods, $59 shipped each
1x Mounted unfired operating rod, $55 shipped

Mounts

Weaver Extra High 34mm Rings: $79 $49 New
Aimpoint PRO Riser spacer:, $10 addon
Nightforce 30mm 20MOA ultramount 1.54": $249 $199
Aimpoint Micro OEM Mount: same as this one https://aimpoint.us/micro-standard-mount-for-h-1-h-2-kit/ very light salt, $69 $49 shipped
ADM 30mm Mounts, one is 1316, one is 1324 and has 3 in cant. Comes with quality McMaster high carbon content screws.
$169 $159 each
Aimpoint Pro low Mount: $49 shipped
Looks like this but with a picatinny mount https://aimpoint.us/aimpoint-30mm-top-ring-fits-qrp2-tnp-lrp-not-required-for-compm4-series/

Sig MSR 1-6x

Sig MSR 1-6 with Mount
Light salt on mount and one of the turrets due to crowded safe. Glass is clean everything else looks great.
$239 shipped

Glock Stuff

Glock Sights: all takeoffs, $15 each. Tritium rear one is $30. $59 for all.
CAA MCK Microroni for G19/23/32: Mild salt, comes with flashlight. $169 shipped
Safariland 6360 ALS/SLS FOR g17/G22, Right Handed: $99 $79 shipped

AK Stuff

JMAC: Non-Folding Stock/Brace Mount for MRKT Trunnion: lnib $29 shipped
1913 Adapter for MRKT Trunnion: lnib $29 shipped

NVG Stuff

Norotos Mount + Head Mount + J arm + Infrared tag for dog leash: $99 $89 $79 shipped

Random Shit

Magpul Sling Mount RSA: $24 shipped
Bushmaster Commercial Spec Stock: $29 shipped
Tenebraex M68-ARD, works with Aimpoint PRO: $30 light salted but no structural damage to honeycomb
Aimpoint P2 Cap OEM: free addon
Benelli M4 Mesa Tactical Stock with comfortgrip, cheek riser and newest lock washer: $119 shipped
Geissele buffer tubes: 1x ddc, 1x odg, $59 each. Light salt
A2 Stock: $39 shipped
Hera Arms CQR Gen 2 ODG kit: $99 shipped
VLTOR IMOD Stock, Standard Butt SOPMOD looking thing: one of the plugs is missing, slightly salty, $69 shipped
Badger J-arm plate for RMR: $19 shipped (anodize is a bit light, looks dark greyish)
KAC Rear Sight (missing bolt screw and bolt clamp): $79 shipped
Enigmas: 1x Standard, 1X OS (marked AXL), no holster, $99 each
Rearden 1/2x28 spb: $69
Rearden 5/8x24 PRS: $69

Patches

Also patches if you would like some: https://www.reddit.com/GunAccessoriesForSale/s/NzKFRKbgjL

Hey dude I'm going to keep this introduction short and to the point.
This is what I learned for youTube success.
These strategies work, no BS, they work, they work very well.
And I write this as I know you may be like I was some time ago (wanting to turn content into a long term business).

I’ve tested these methods on new & existing channels both big and small and even with channels that do not have English as their native language.

These can really make a huge, huge, huge difference in your YouTube success.

1. Audience Understanding Leads To Steering Success.

You hear a loud noise coming from the crew on the deck of your ship.

"CAPTAIN, ARE YOU THERE?"

"WE HAVE A SITUATION".

You make your way to the deck to address the noise.

“Calm down, you blubbering seadogs! What’s the problem?”

“I’m sorry, Captain, but we have a dangerous situation. We’ve entered deep seas, and there’s no land in sight. Just miles and miles of ocean in every direction. We can’t see anything. We urgently need navigation but we don’t have a compass onboard”

If you find yourself as a captain of a ship without a compass, you’re in a very dangerous situation. ~Similarly~, growing a YouTube channel without a deep understanding of your audience is like trying to sail the seas without a clear direction.

Your audience holds a treasure chest full of desires, fears, wants, and needs.

Just like a real treasure chest full of gold, this theoretical chest provides everything you need to reach success, whether that’s financial wealth or success on the platform.

I’m not joking; this is far more important than most people realize.

Why is this so crucial?

If you don’t know your audience, you don’t know what they truly desire. Those who can deliver on those desires will reap the rewards. During my time auditing and coaching, I found that most creators DID NOT deeply understand their audience.

BUT this information tells you nearly everything you need to know.

Here’s an example: before writing this post, I did extra research on YouTube creators.

I looked at Reddit, YouTube comments, and YouTube growth books on Amazon to see what the comments were saying. Here are the fears I found most YouTubers face:

• Fear of starting and not being perfect in the initial stages.
• Fear of not being recognized despite creating quality content.
• Fear of judgment and not being accepted by viewers.
• Fear of investing time and effort without seeing substantial growth or results.
• Fear of the ever-changing YouTube algorithm affecting their channel negatively.
• Fear of stagnation or decline in channel growth.

And this… is my treasure chest that allows me to help more people, reach a larger audience, and tailor my content to what people really care about.

What I’m saying is, you can do the same for your audience. This will give you countless new ideas, directions, products, services, and bring true value to the market.

But without knowing these, you’re trying to sail the sea without a compass, hoping to find land.

2. If You Have A Channel, You Need A Brand.

Running a YouTube channel without a brand is like serving a Big Mac without any lettuce, onions or pickles… sure it will fill you up but it's nothing to write home about.

Don’t allow your channel to be the plain Big Mac

In terms of YouTube, a brand is a channel that is known to have a certain style or cover topics within the niche which the audience enjoys time & again.

*Short Question*

If we lined up 100 people who watch your videos as well as other creators in your niche, how would they define YOU and YOUR channel?

Would they say …

"Love how concise the channel is—straight to the point!"
"The depth of content is great—I could watch them for hours!"
"It's alright, but I wish they would cut to the chase."
"Incredible! I've always wanted to learn this, and the videos made it so simple."
"It dragged on a bit—lost my interest partway through."

There are many ways you can create a brand, such as personality, delivery of content but whatever direction you go into, a unique brand on YouTube is essential because it helps your channel **STAND OUT*\* by creating a distinctive ~look~ and feel.

This attracts viewers and keeps them coming back for more & more. Think about some of the reasons why you love your favourite Youtubers, (the way they speak, the content, the feel, the pacing, the humour, etc) chances are because they have built a solid brand.

3. Entertainment Comes First.

Have you ever come across a YouTuber who's got a big audience and is doing extremely well and you have no idea why?

Yeah, me too! … & does it annoy you? Yes, me too.

Why is it frustrating?

Because there are channels out there that are giving CRAP content and yet succeeding.

You know the ones… I’m not saying anything here, but you know.

In fact, I would guess and say you likely have better content than some other creators in your niche and yet they are raking in the numbers.

But this is not only on YouTube this is also in business, it's not about the best product or having the best information.

It’s a big ~pill~ to swallow.

But instead, let's look at this logically…

Why are many channels succeeding that do not have the best content? (the best is subjective but here we will just focus on * the best* = most helpful, most accurate, most information, etc)

Most of the time when you break it down you will find that it's because they are able to entertain, and the simple truth is this.

Entertainment = value

In our modern world more entertainment = more value, which can lead to more viewers even if the content itself is not the best.

So whatever kind of content you are producing (even educational) the fundamentals needs to be around entertainment.

But through thousands of experiments, Its clear to see that entertainment is not always quick clips, funny sound effects and so on…

Entertainment can be as simple as a storyline that you can follow from the beginning to the end that resonates with your key audience.

4. Most Success On YouTube Is a Slow Burn.

You most likely have heard a bunch of successful stories and advice from people who have become successful relatively quickly.

Here are a few videos I found on YouTube.

· How I Got 1 Million Subscribers in 9 Months
· I grew from ZERO TO 100K SUBSCRIBERS in 3 MONTHS (& how you can too)
· My Life Story and How I Got 10 Million Followers in 1 Year
· Making $613,960 My First Year On YouTube

Now these are great videos, but they are also extremely rare cases.

This success can sometimes give youtubers the wrong understanding of success on YouTube.

Last year I hit one of my personal milestones which was $7000 (USD) within 28 days on AdSense alone.

This was accomplished over several years of building content making mistakes and implementing changes.

18 months before that, I was struggling to get 1000 views on a video, 2 months ago I had a few videos that have over 1 million views and Last month? Well, I sold the channel. But hey that’s a new story for a new day ha-ha.

But my point is that success is often over a long period of time...

AND THEREFORE, it’s wise to take a step back to reflect on things especially if you feel that you're working too hard or getting too stressed because for many of you who will be successful, it will be a long process over several months or years rather than an instant change.

5. Rabit Hole Content Can Perform Extremely Well.

In my desk next to my bed, I have a big red book of YouTube trade secrets & experiments I conducted.

The rabbit hole content is one of those.

Rabbit hole content is basically content that is made and after somebody watches the video, they go into a rabbit hole of content.

Examples of this include conspiracy. (UFO, ALIENS, ASSASSINATIONS, ETC)

Another example is if there is a series or a very engaging video that has been split into several parts.

What I've noticed more than anything especially speaking to other youtubers is that rabbit hole content seems to perform incredibly well. Almost like YouTube knows that *THIS VIDEO* will lead to people watching 10 more videos… well I guess they do know that.

With every other point on this list, I have solid data, experiments, and proof. But I aim to always be transparent, and I must confess I don’t have all the numbers yet to back this up fully compared to the rest.

Nevertheless - It has worked for many people, and I have not yet seen it not work. But because I don’t have the numbers to show (unlike all the others) I believe it’s important to mention.

6. Trend Jacking Can Lead To Crazy Numbers.

A moment ago, I mentioned that most success on YouTube is not linear and instead drawn out over a long period of time.

However...

For those who do not fall into this category and have had success relatively quickly they often find their success by taking advantage of trend jacking.

Trend Jacking is a clever tactic that you can use to grow new audiences relatively quickly based on a trending topic, situation, or person.

This could be a trend that is happening within your niche or a trend that is happening globally. Here are some examples that were big stories over the last 24 months.

· Johnny Depp Vs Amber Heard
· Tucker Carson Departs From Fox News
· Ireland Offer $92,000 If You Move & Settle On Their Coastal Island
· Japan Giving Away Homes For Free
· World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing Is Going Up So Animals Can Walk Safely
· Airlines To Give Refunds For Cancelled Or Delayed Flights And Late Baggage

OK so these ideas are pretty out-of-the-box and are not niche specific.

But let’s make it a challenge! (I’m regretting this already)

What about if we had a YouTube channel talking about ~how to live cheaper?~

Here are some video ideas we could create.

· Depp Vs. Heard: Calculating The True Cost Of Lawsuits!
· After Tuckers Exit, How Media Changes Impact Your Wallet?
· Moving To Ireland For $92K Is It A Dream Deal Or Costly Fantasy?"
· Free Homes In Japan: What’s The Catch?
· Saving Wildlife & Your Taxes!
· How To Get Every Penny Back From Airlines [*year*]

Okay these are not the best type of content for the niche but after typing out about1500 words, my mind is a little fuzzy XD - Please note that these are not the titles but an example of a type of content based on the trend.

But how about niche trends? (~often much easier)~

Jumping on specific trends related to your niche can be really effective. For example, I advised a travel content creator who capitalized on the "passport bros" trend. This trend is where men move overseas to find wives.

This trend was gaining traction on TikTok and other platforms, and by tapping into it, he was able to reach multiple new audiences. His content sparked reactions and discussions, which pushed his growth to a new level.
P.s - As an added point, if you are in the UK, check out *baby reindeer* which is currently trending.

7. Don’t Steal, Rebuild.

Pablo Picasso – “Good artists copy, great artists steal”

As a creator you are also an artist, it just happens to be that your art is electronic.

The saying highlights the key idea that true innovative artists (aka creators) don't just copy other people (even though I know some do – naughty naughty)

But instead, they mimic the work of others and transform it / rebuild it into something better.

Perhaps it is a type of content that you've seen very popular in other niches but is not covered in your niche.

Or it could be a topic that other creators have discussed, and you have seen that it has performed very well but it could be improved upon.

One Youtuber I have always found inspirational is Mr Beast. Not because of Jimmy's content but simply because he has worked for many years to perfect his art.

Here’s the thing…

There are so many Mr beast clones.

These creators literally copy his entire format.

This is not good as eventually people see the truth, and this will leave a very sour taste in viewer’s mouths.

So, what can you do?

You can rebuild but in your own image and in your own way instead of stealing.

Look in your niche, the style, content, delivery of content, time, pace and think of ways you can rebuild this content to offer you audience something even better.
Hope this helps you out =]

Hey I’m looking to see if anyone remembers a song that was posted on YouTube by this old band, I cannot for the life of me remember their name but it was just one guy with an acoustic guitar like old Johnny hobo style and he sang this one song that was really catchy. The video was posted around 2010 I think? One of the lyrics I can remember talks in this kind of hoarse voice about this businessman that’s lecturing him about something like maybe free trade but “he wears shoes made in Vietnam” like with sweatshop labor. There was another video by the same band which had a thumbnail that read “Vote From The Rooftops” but I can’t remember any other lyrics. The singer’s face was also in the first video and they looked like a 20 something college kid with medium length brown hair. This is all so incredibly vague but I really hope maybe one other person remembers this video lol.

In the magical world of early childhood education, few concepts are as empowering and versatile as loose parts play. Imagine giving children the freedom to explore, create, and imagine without limits—this is the essence of loose parts play. So, what is it all about, and which toys work best for it? Let’s dive into the world of loose parts and discover the best toys that can unlock endless possibilities for learning and creativity.

What is Loose Parts Play?

Loose parts play is a simple yet profound concept introduced by architect Simon Nicholson in the 1970s. The idea is to give children a variety of objects that they can move, manipulate, combine, and transform in countless ways. These "loose parts" can be anything from natural materials to everyday household items. The magic lies in their open-ended nature, allowing children to use their creativity and imagination to drive their play.

Why is Loose Parts Play Important?

Loose parts play offers numerous benefits for children’s development. Here’s why it’s so amazing:
1. Sparks Creativity and Imagination:

• Loose parts encourage children to think outside the box. With no set rules or outcomes, they can explore different ways to use the materials, fostering innovative thinking and creativity.

2. Builds Problem-Solving Skills:

• When children engage with loose parts, they experiment, test ideas, and solve problems. This process enhances their critical thinking and helps them develop strategies to achieve their goals.

3. Enhances Fine Motor Skills:

• Manipulating small objects strengthens fine motor skills. Picking up, arranging, and assembling loose parts require precision and control, boosting hand-eye coordination.

4. Fosters Social Skills:

• Loose parts play often involves group activities. Children learn to communicate, share ideas, negotiate roles, and collaborate effectively, enhancing their social skills.

5. Develops Emotional Resilience:

• Loose parts play allows children to take risks and deal with failure in a safe environment. When their structures collapse or ideas don’t work out, they learn to cope with frustration and develop resilience.

Best Montessori Toys for Loose Parts Play

Here are some fantastic toys and materials that can be used as loose parts to inspire creative play:
1. Natural Materials:

• Stones and Pebbles: Perfect for building, sorting, and creating patterns.
• Sticks and Twigs: Ideal for constructing and imaginative play.
• Leaves and Flowers: Great for sensory play and creating natural art.
• Rainbow Stackers : Ideal for constructing and imaginative play.
• Snowflake building blocks: Ideal for constructing and creative play.

2. Household Items:

• Bottle Caps: Useful for sorting, counting, and creating mosaics.
• Corks: Versatile for stacking, building, and imaginative play.
• Buttons: Excellent for sorting, pattern making, and fine motor activities.

3. Recyclable Materials:

• Cardboard Tubes: Perfect for constructing tunnels, towers, and creative structures.
• Plastic Containers: Great for scooping, pouring, and organizing other loose parts.
• Fabric Scraps: Useful for sensory play, creating costumes, and making soft sculptures.

4. Building Toys:

• Wooden Blocks: Classic and versatile, ideal for building and creative play.
• Magnetic Tiles: Excellent for constructing complex structures and exploring geometry.
• LEGO Bricks: Perfect for detailed building projects and imaginative play.

5. Art Supplies:

• Beads and Sequins: Great for crafting, threading, and creating intricate designs.
• Pipe Cleaners: Flexible and colorful, ideal for constructing and decorating.
• Pom-Poms: Fun for sensory play, sorting, and adding texture to creations.

6. Miscellaneous Items:

• Shells: Perfect for sensory play, sorting, and creating natural art.
• Feathers: Great for sensory exploration and decorating projects.
• Glass Gems: Beautiful for creating patterns, sorting, and sensory play.

How to Facilitate Loose Parts Play

To make the most of loose parts play, consider these tips:
1. Provide Variety: Offer a wide range of materials to keep play fresh and exciting. 2. Organize: Use trays, baskets, or large toy basket to keep loose parts organized and accessible. 3. Rotate Materials: Regularly introduce new items to inspire creativity and prevent boredom. 4. Encourage Exploration: Allow children to take the lead in their play and explore materials in their own way. 5. Create a Safe Space: Ensure the play area is safe and free from hazards, especially with small parts.

Conclusion

loose parts play is a powerful tool for unleashing children’s creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills. By providing a variety of open-ended materials, you can create a rich and stimulating play environment that supports holistic development. Whether using natural materials, household items, or purpose-built toys, the possibilities are endless. So, gather your loose parts, set the stage, and watch as your children’s imaginations soar.

Hi guys, I am a UX designer I mainly design mobile app design's in figma and in my portfolio I only have 2 web designs but both are not responsive design.
I was thinking to maybe add more web design to my portfolio, but idk how to make it responsive, because when I search on YouTube most people are are using a paid plugin called Brakepoints.
Is there any free alternative to this plugin or is there any other way of doing it.

Don’t want to pay $25 for a YouTube video. I had a ticket to go to the show but I got too fat and couldn’t fit in my car. Gave it away for free

Ghost of Tsushima was available for Free Download just One Day after its release on Steam, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom was downloaded a million times One Week before its release and some people were bold enough to brag about it on Social Media literally bringing the A(S)po(iler)calypse.
Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition (4J Studios) was released as a Digital-Only and replaced by Bedrock in less than 12 months after release, Tetris (EA) for PS3 and PSP were available for just Three Years and also Digital-Only.
The English Translation of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light was only available for a mere Three Months.
There are times when Piracy can become Preservation

Hello! I’m currently 78 hours into quitting vaping once again, this time quitting 18mg freebase nicotine juice after I accidentally relapsed. Before the relapse, I had been going 6 months strong CT off of a 50mg salt nic daily vaping habit that I had clung to since 2018 after starting with Juuls, moving onto refillable pod devices, and eventually settling on shitty disposables. I should state that I’m currently 24 years old male with ADHD.
I had quit the 50mg Salt Nic back at the end of last March, and I had not been prescribed Wellbutrin for the entire time, I only got put onto Wellbutrin at the end of this January. Anyway, quitting the 50mg Salts was hellish, but I got through it and eventually the cravings mostly subsided. The first 2 weeks were the most difficult with the first week itself being the most challenging. However, Week 2 and 3 presented their own challenges as my brain kept convincing itself that something was wrong with me since I still had occasionally strong cravings and agitation and I was sure that I was supposed to be past that shit since I was at the 2 week mark. But EVERYONE is different, and instead of relapsing, I sought out a lot of products to assist in quitting vaping that were used by people close to me or online who had successfully quit themselves.
Here’s my shortish and sweet thoughts on each:
• Vicks Inhalers: A personal favorite. They’re non-medicated and contain NO ACTUAL VICKS, so there’s no chance of them making you sick even if you use them a fuckton. If you do use them a fuckton, the worst that might happen is that you’ll eventually have to sneeze really badly, but that’s the worst I’ve experienced from them. I know it sounds silly, but using the Vicks Inhalers actually almost tricked my brain into feeling like I was getting the satisfying hit of like a menthol vape. I was half expecting to exhale smoke the first few times I used them. They do ‘taste’ a lot worse when you first start using one, but after using it for a bit, the ‘hit’ it provides becomes a bit more subtle and a lot more palatable and satisfying. It sort of does give you something to fiddle with and can satisfy that oral fixation even if you’re inhaling it nasally. I guess you could inhale it through your mouth like a vape, I’ve definitely done it a few times (accidentally, like my hand is just trained to put stick-shaped things to my mouth like a cigarette lol), and I had no ill effects besides people looking at me weird and it tasting pretty bad when it’s fresh and super potent. Give it a try, but don’t buy the bulk ones on amazon.
• Nicor Inhaler: Similar to the Vicks, just not as strong and it lacks the strong menthol punch in favor of a more chill, subdued, relaxing scent. Full of essential oils and other stuff, I kind of like it. There’s tons of other essential oil inhalers that you can try if Vicks has too much of a punch, I’m just using this one because a friend bought it for me and I wanna show them my appreciation.
• Gum/Mints/Candy: Pretty self explanatory. I’ve fallen in love with the Trident Sour Patch Kids gum, and you can pick up a pack of 4 on Amazon for like $12-$15. I’ve also been munching on Jolly Ranchers, Sour Skittles, Hi-Chews, and Popsicles like crazy. Go for what you love and feel no shame about it. Give your inner kid a little hit of that old childhood sweets fix. You deserve it.
• Wellbutrin XL 300mg: It definitely helps to really take the edge off of the cravings and withdrawals. I definitely still feel a bit of agitation, but there’s been alot of points throughout the last few days where i’ve felt shockingly normal and almost forgot that I wasn’t using nicotine but I don’t know how much of this easiness is attributable to the Wellbutrin since I’m definitely comparing this experience to the more hellish experience I had quitting salt nic since obviously freebase nicotine is a lot easier to quit.
• Metal Breathing Tube Thing: Idk. It kind of relaxes me and helps to remind me to slow down and focus on my breathing sometimes. Guided breathing and medication exercises genuinely can make a huge difference for you and have helped me step down off the ledge of an oncoming panic attack or meltdown. The breathing tube just exists to make that process easier while giving you a fun little object to satisfy your oral fixation.
If you have any questions, need any advice, or just wanna talk about your experience - please feel free to PM me or comment!
I’m using Apollo and I can’t post images with body text, so here’s the imgur link:
https://i.imgur.com/3lc37xY.jpeg

My actual study time was really closer to two weeks because I took a few weeks off to travel and be distracted. (Recently laid off) I spent 4 hours in the hospital the day before the exam with excruciating back pain. Sitting for so long testing with that level of pain was one of the more miserable things I've done, but I wanted to get it over with. I had 30 minutes left to spare and took a 5 minute and 8 minute break.
I spent a total of $584, exam was $425 with membership. Membership was $159. I did not pay for the local charter. I did not pay for any study materials.
I did take the exam online. I know in person is recommended and I expected to do it that way but the earliest date available was mid June and I wasn't waiting 4 weeks to take it. I barred my husband from the room and from making any noise at all. He was good about keeping the cats away from the door. I cleaned everything out of the bedroom that I possibly could. I used a laptop but used an Ethernet cable for Internet. I set my laptop up on a clear plastic tote so it would be eye level. I paid a lot of attention during the exam to ensure I only looked at the screen and didn't go out of view even for a second. I drew all of my blinds and curtains closed. I kept water and some light snacks in my bathroom (separate room) in case I needed it during breaks. The proctor never interacted with me. Not once. It was a bit unnerving but extremely smooth process and I'm grateful as I had a lot of anxiety around testing online.The worst part was having to wait 25 hours and 38 minutes (who is counting?) after the test had ended for my results.
Background: I have severe ADHD but I am a very good test taker. I'm one of those sick people that finds these things fun. I have passed the financial licensing exams series 7, 63, and 66. If you are familiar with them, the series exams had more content to learn, but the PMP questions were very similar in structure and difficulty to the 63 and 66. Overall I thought the PMP was easier but I had less professional experience when I took the series exams. I took a lot of AP exams back in high school. I'd say this test was harder question wise than any of those but again, less content to cover. I'm a senior scrum master for tech teams with years of experience. I've never worked as a formal project manager in waterfall but I am extremely good at what I do. I mentor many other scrum masters and know agile inside and out. I didn't study for the agile part of the test at all. I took about 60 agile practice questions for reassurance and amusement but only got three wrong so figured I was good. I also have a bachelor's degree in business (years ago) so a good chunk was just a refresher.
I didn't spend any money on materials so here's what I did to study.
I started with Oliver Lehmann's free exam. I do think it was harder than the PMP but I wanted to get a baseline before doing anything. I reviewed all of the questions afterwards and wrote down the topics I really needed to focus on. I scored a 68% the first time through.
I started reading the PMBOK guide you get when you pay for the exam. I downloaded it on my Kindle and would read it when I had the attention span to do so. I read the first 50% of the entire PDF they give you but wish I would've started halfway through as it probably would have been more useful for me. It was taking too long and I was getting antsy so I stopped reading it.
When I didn't have the attention span to read, I binge watched David McLachlan's YouTube videos. I went through the 7th edition PMBOK video three times. First for content, second to check any weaknesses, third to review. I also cast the questions to my TV screen and would pause the question before he read it, answer it myself, then watch him go through it. If I saw any videos of areas of weakness he posted I'd go through them. I went through 60 of his agile questions but the rest of the time I was going through the waterfall ones. I can't give you a count. It was a lot. I did the larger question videos too. This helped the most out of anything I did.
I borrowed a lot of exam prep materials from the library but didn't end up opening any of them at all.
Finally I used this subreddit. Whenever I saw someone post a question they didn't know I'd go through it. So thank you all! I paid a lot of attention to what others were using and what I knew would work for me. I also had a friend who took it a few days before me and we would send each other practice questions or talk about it almost daily. It helped keep me accountable and motivated even when I started slacking off.
Maybe I was over confident but I did get sick of studying and just scheduled the exam for a few days later. I didn't feel 100% prepared but I did feel like I was solid enough to have a good chance of passing. Clearly I should have studied more on the business environments part lol.
Good luck to you all! It really is a beast of a test and frankly I never want to do that again.

Travel
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Today in Scottish History
20 May 1685: The Earl of Argyll sails from Holland to Campbeltown with 300 men in an attempted uprising. It fails and he is executed.
/GlasgowMarket Digest
Dinning table and 4 chairs with insert (Free)
Selling 2x green day tickets 25/06/24
magimix 5200xl and accessories (£150, RRP £370)
Converted Campervan - Beautiful Wood Interior
2 tickets for Liam Gallagher at the OVO Hydro
Ticketmaster £100 gift card for sale
2 Lucy Spraggan Ticket For Tonight at the Barrowlands - £40
Tune of the day
Can't find a YouTube link on /ScottishMusic.
No eligible links submitted today. Suggest tomorrow's tune.

Curious to hear thoughts and ideas about what others think is missing in the today’s poker industry. Feel free to bring up anything that comes to mind.
I’m a software engineer and part time poker player. As I’ve become more experienced, putting in a lot of volume on the tables online and live, as well a lot of time studying over the years, I’ve definitely started to notice inadequacies across different aspects of the poker industry. I’d like to start working on solutions that address these gaps at some point, but I wonder if others have similar opinions, or if there are other pain-points and opportunities they believe to be more important or impactful.
Feel free to dm me if you’d rather not comment here. Appreciate all perspectives folks might have!
Teasers:

• Something that just seems obvious but nobody is really doing it, or maybe a select few are doing it but not very well. Maybe it’s something that businesses in other industries do for their customers?
• Easier way to record hand histories? Online poker has this covered for the most part. For live poker there are some products out there but the process is still super manual. What if you had an automated way of recording hand histories and the ability to load those hand histories into a sim with a single click.
• Stats related to results/performance. I personally wish that TheHendonMob.com offered better sorting and filtering options related to live tournament data. For instance I can see the 2024 Money List and the All Time Money list for the world, as well as the US, but I can’t look at the 2024 money list for a given state or city. There’s an all-time money list for the state, but what about this year? What about stats related to specific card-rooms? We can see the biggest earners for live tournaments in one place, and stats for online wizards on a different site, but what about a database that combines both so we can see who ranks the highest across all formats?
• Sources of information. I use PokerAtlas but the process for targeting upcoming tournaments is often times tedious and inefficient due to a lack of available search filtering/sorting functionality, as well as the fact that many big tournaments far off in the future aren’t posted for a certain venue until the start date is approaching in the next couple weeks.
• Player recognition. Some players want the lime light, and want to be recognized for their accomplishments while others prefer to remain in the shadows. Would you appreciate being recognized publicly for major accomplishments?
• Availability of real data insights. MDA has been growing recently, especially with the rapid advancements in AI. Do you wish there were more free/low-cost data insights available? I know I wish there was more data related to live poker. Chewy is working on a software product that processes and analyzes data from hands played on live poker streams to derive data driven insights but a lot of players conceal certain tendencies when they’re live.
• Retail products that just don’t seem to be available. Anything at all. I always have a backpack or a crossbody because playing 8+ hours is a regular thing for me, and I also hate having a bunch of stuff in my pockets. Maybe some people want a kangaroo pouch on their sweater where they can securely carry all their stuff without having to have a bag. Don’t think I’d wear a sweater with a kangaroo pouch personally, but maybe others would, maybe a secret pocket somewhere in your hoodie, pants, hat, tube sock etc to hold your cash would be nice to have? Money-clips, or cool rubber bands? Better card protectors? Stylish articles of clothing that cover your neck/face to protect against live reads?
• Seems like the vast majority of poker apparel brands are failures. Imo most of them are super cringe, and have “I’m a degen” written all over them. Do you wish there were some quality, and perhaps subtle clothing lines that you could where in your daily life and at the poker table? Something that was like the Nike of poker.
• Gaps in learning material/resources. There are a ton of products out there, but we’ve all run into scenarios where we were either overwhelmed and not even sure where to start, or the material just wasn’t organized in a way that felt effective.
• Issues you have to deal with on a regular basis when it comes to the casino, card room or online platform you use to play? Do the reward systems suck? How about the marketing? Does the website look reasonable or does it look like Craigslist, and is it updated on a regular basis?
• A supplement or drug that enhances focus and reduces anxiety?

Hi I’m a random engineer who got bored of zeros and ones suddenly became interested in geo politics. I found some John mearsheimer interviews and liked listening to some of his ideas about realism and that countries are all trying to be the baddest dude on the block. I agree with a lot of what he’s saying but would be interested in seeing what a well composed response to his theory’s would look like. I’d love to get a basic intro to the various different types of overall world views in the IR space. Idk looking for a more positive viewpoint not from someone as scrubby as Peter Zeihan. Primarily looking for hourish talks, lectures on YouTube that I can check out for free. Thanks for any recommendations!

Are you in need of a YouTube thumbnail, stream layout, channel banner, or a compilation video? Allow me to make them for you!
YouTube Thumbnails ($5 each, max is 10 at one time)
Channel Banners ($10)
Stream Compilation Video ($15)
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it's a cute show with a cyber pastel lofi assthetic about an adult magical girl named bee. she escapes common adulthood by going to complete different tasks in magical worlds with her sidekick kitten. it's really comforting and relatable for me and one of the main themes of the show is that she can't really "grow up" the way others do despite being in her twenties. the full show is on YouTube free to watch and only a few hours long <3

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/0otsprE
Feel free to PM me with inquiries about certain items or extra photos. Some items have been crossposted. All prices include shipping.
Elbit XLSH WP PVS-14 — Autogated tube w/ manual gain in a milspec housing with milspec glass. Elbit Gen 3 thin-filmed WP tube (SNR: 25.9, RES: 68, EBI: 0.33, halo: 0.97). Small spot in zone 1 and some peppering. Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/VGjAX3t
Less than 6 hours of use. Includes everything needed to get started on a helmet:

• clone Wilcox g24
• clone Wilcox dovetail j-arm
• 2x adjustable irises (one butler creek, one thread-on w/ cap)
• MS-2000 IR strobe
• carrying bag, manual, skullcrusher, USGI j-arm

ITAR applies, CONUS sales only. $2400 shipped & insured
Crye G3 combat shirts — Size M-R in multicam. Very little use, they've been in a box for most of the time. $110 per set
Crye G3 kneepads — Tan. Found these in a box. I stitched the edges and replaced the adhesive velcro for the knee pocket. Not as pretty as a new set, price reflects this. I can knock a few bucks off if purchased with other items. $15 per set
UF Pro Striker HT combat pants — I believe these are size 33/32. Multicam. A bit rare to come by here in the States but they're very feature-rich. The seat has had a repair through the stretch material and should hold up over normal use. $160
BFG CHLK belt — Size 32 in multicam. I think this is one of the older versions. Very well-built but I ended up finding something that fit my needs better. Does not include the inner belt. $120
Tyr Tactical Gunfighter Belt Rigger Style V2 — Size medium in multicam. I believe this model is now discontinued. Lightly used. It's a comfy load-rated belt that swaps out the usual cobra buckle for one like you see on rigger's/uniform belts. $80
Mantis BlackbeardX — Green laser model. Really fun tool, just couldn't find space for it. Light use. $240 sold to theduckstatus
L3Harris SCAR hardened battery cap for ATPIAL devices — Tan. Compatible with PEQ15/LA5. Thought I needed one for a scar but was informed that it wasn't necessary. Basically new. $80
4D Tactical ear seals — These are the versions with 3M VHB tape for the Ops-Core AMP. Good in warm environments, I just had too many sets. $25
Nexus U94 PTT — 6-pin. Has some paint on the clip. $40
TEA U94 PTT — 6-pin. Missing clip, housing cracked but has been repaired. $45
Atlantic signal invictus PTT — 6-pin. Very light use. $50
Magazine lot — 3x EPM magazines, 1x PMAG M3, 1x PMAG AK. Just collecting dust, selling as a lot. Free states only, sorry. $40 sold to skeeter6x9
Eagle Industries double M4 mag pouch — Multicam. Heavy fading from use but hey, it still does mag pouch things. $15
MICH/ACH accessories — Left-eye-dominant chinstrap with a multicam/ocp helmet cover in I think size L. Missing IR squares but everything else is fine. Just need this gone. $10