1. The two bites I've described, plus some other skin irregularities/itchy patches (the latter may be imagined) I've noticed on my body.
2. A blood patch I found on my bedsheets.
3. Something I found on the floor, which I took to be a molted bed bug shell.

1. After discovering the bites, I found a mosquito in my room. Though the bites don't look like other mosquito bites I get and were somewhere that I assumed was covered by bedding while I slept. But it's still probably the mosquito, and if not, I did sit the night before in my friend's car, who recently got a dog. It's possible they could be flea bites.
2. The blood patch looked fairly old, and by Googling it seems bed bug blood patches would be smaller and darker. It's also possible either my girlfriend or I had a spot/pimple that bled in our sleep - we both have some on our back.
3. That "shell" I found was the same colour as a bed bug, but apparently their molted shells are translucent, and this one lacked any "bug parts" (antennae, legs) and had a different texture than I would expect. Could just as easily have been a seed from a bread loaf.

1. My ex and I had a place last year and she had a cat. One day when I was leaving for work I didn't pull the door all the way closed. My ex noticed and chewed me out (another story) because it was an indoor cat. But for months afterwards this led me to coming back to the house after leaving for work (sometimes already after walking 10 minutes), coming home early, or staying home completely. At this time I also had a depressive period and my work suffered for a few months as a result.
2. After my breakup when I moved into my new place, I put a hanging plant attachment into the roof and couldn't shake the feeling I'd hit a gas line, even after my Dad (a tradesman) told me they were unlikely to be in that part of the ceiling. I left on a work trip abroad the same day and for the first day away all I thought about was returning to a blown-up apartment. I had a similar feeling when my fridge gas pipe ruptured - I thought I was gonna die in my sleep and ventilated my flat for days.
3. I'm terrified of fire, always have been, but lately I've been unplugging things every time I leave my office because I'm afraid I'll burn the whole place down. I recently quit smoking with the help of an e-cigarette, but for the first week or two I had it I was often terrified it would explode in my pocket.
4. I had an unexplainable pain in my nether regions for a few months that took A LONG TIME to diagnose (turned out to be a muscle problem). But I was constantly anxious about testicular torsion and I wondered why doctors/urologists didn't care. At one point I remember telling myself "I think you want testicular torsion just so you know you're right."
5. When I leave my house I check my balcony door is locked and that the stove is turned off, usually only once, maybe twice. Regarding unplugging things in work, I've once sent my colleague to check something in my office after I left, under false pretenses, in the hope that if something bad had happened (a fire) they would notice and catch it in time.
6. I have - very, very rarely, probably less than 5 times in my life - been consumed momentarily by thoughts of self-harm. Mostly it's fleeting like the intrusive thought I guess everyone gets occasionally, just pushing your brain to consider the worst. However, twice - once after trying SSRIs for my depressive episode and again at random more recently - I had thoughts of slitting my wrists that scared the fuck out of me and sat with me for a good few hours.

1. Cool As I Think I Am (NPMD)
   
2. Not Your Seed (TGWDLM)
   
3. Made In America (BF)
   
4. Show Stopping Number (TGWDLM)
   
5. Sidekick (AVPSY)
   
6. Axe Man (NT)
   
7. Dark Sad Lonely Knight (HMB)
   
8. Just For Once (NPMD)
   
9. Stutter (AVPS)
   
10. Nerdy Prudes/Dirty Dudes Must Die (NPMD)
    

• Fruits and Vegetables: Aim for a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Whole Grains: Opt for whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oats for fiber and nutrients.
• Lean Protein: Choose lean sources of protein such as poultry, fish, beans, and nuts. Limit red meat and processed meats.
• Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

• Trans Fats: Avoid foods high in trans fats, typically found in processed snacks and fried foods.
• Saturated Fats: Limit intake of saturated fats found in butter, cheese, and fatty meats.
• Added Sugars: Minimize consumption of sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods high in added sugars for cholesterol management.

• Be mindful of portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight and prevent overeating.
• Use smaller plates and bowls to help control portion sizes.

• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.
• Incorporate strength training exercises at least twice a week to improve heart health and overall fitness.

• Strive to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
• Consult a healthcare professional to determine a healthy weight range for you.

• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature for
• Engage in hobbies and activities you enjoy to unwind and relax.

• Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support heart health and overall well-being.
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

• If you smoke, quit. Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease.
• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke as well.

• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

• Schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other heart health indicators.
• Follow your doctor's recommendations for screenings and preventive measures for your cardiovascular health.

1. Leslie Knope from "Parks and Recreation" 🌳🏛️
2. Frank Underwood from "House of Cards" 🇺🇸💼
3. President Camacho from "Idiocracy" 🤣🌟
4. Lisa Simpson from "The Simpsons" 📚🎓
5. Captain America from Marvel Comics 🦸‍♂️🛡️
6. The Joker from DC Comics 🃏🤡

Sixty-four million years ago, a large extra-terrestrial object struck the Earth in what would later be called the Yucatan Peninsula, in south eastern Mexico. The dust and rock thrown up by the resulting explosion caused enormous climactic changes in the ensuing years, and many of the Earth's species became extinct during the long winter that followed.
The object itself was buried thousands of feet below ground, its nearly two kilometer length remarkably intact. It remained there, motionless, for thousands of years before it finally began to stir-- and to dream.

The heat of impact liquefied the rock around it, which later cooled and encased the dead god's huge body far below ground. As it began to dream, it wrought unintentional changes in its environment. Locked deep beneath the Earth, strange and unbelievable things faded in and out of reality. Vast caverns and landscapes bubbled to life within the rock, populated by horrible manifestations of the dead god's dream.

Vast caverns and landscapes bubbled to life within the rock, populated by horrible manifestations of the dead god's dream.

Q: Assuming it wasn't built by the Ra'zac themselves, was the lair inside Helgrind purpose-built for the Ra'zac and Lethrblaka, or did they appropriate it some time after it was built? If it wasn't built for them, what was its original purpose?
A: Partially natural formations (linked to tunnels elsewhere in Alagaësia), partly expanded by the priests of Helgrind and Galbatorix himself.

Q: The deeps under Vroengard, were they created by the riders or was it a previous system of caverns that they repurposed?
A: Previous system. I mean, there's been work done on them, but... 'It looks similar, parts of it feel similar to the caverns that we encountered in this book. They both have that hole in the cave which goes deeper, with something in the hole that's not clearly defined.' Yeah.

Vast caverns and landscapes bubbled to life within the rock, populated by horrible manifestations of the dead god's dream.

Pathways casts the player as a member of a US Army Special Forces team sent on a mission to the Yucatán Peninsula. On May 5, 1994, a diplomat from the alien race known as the Jjaro appeared to the President of the United States and informed him that on May 13, an ancient godlike being sleeping beneath a pyramid would awaken and destroy the Earth. The only way to prevent this catastrophe is to prevent the god from awakening. The eight-man Special Forces team carries a nuclear weapon, with the goal of entering the ancient pyramid, descending to the bottom level where the god sleeps, and activating the bomb to stun the god and bury it under tons of rock.

Only during the last few centuries has the god begun to effect changes on the surface of the Earth. Grotesque creatures have been sighted deep in the trackless forest of the Yucatan, and strange rumors of an ancient pyramid-- which is neither Aztec nor Mayan-- in the same area have been circulating in the archaeological community since the early 1930's.

It is a very bad place. It’s a place where some bad things happened at one point and it’s not a good place to go walking around. I don’t want to get into it too much more because again, it’s a good possibility for another story and I want to keep thinking about it a bit more. It is in Alagaesia and we’ve actually been close to the location.

And he rested, and visions beset him of a circular stone city that stood in the center of an endless plain and of a small girl who wandered among the narrow, winding alleys within and who sang a haunting melody (A Feast with Friends, Brisingr).

circular stone city
narrow, winding alleys

The spaces between the structures were narrower than the humans preferred; the proportions were taller, thinner, which matched the images she had seed of the Vanished...
The ancient outline of the city was - as she suspected - a fractal, and the shape of it contained meaning.... At the nexus of the apttern, where it coiled in on itslef like a nautilus shell" (Shards, TSIASOS).

We are the devotees of Azlagur, the Devourer. Azlagur the Firstborn. Azlagur the Dreamer. He who sleeps and whose sleeping mind weaves the warp and weft of the waking world. But the sleep grows restless" (Obliteration, Murtagh).

As it began to dream, it wrought unintentional changes in its environment. Locked deep beneath the Earth, strange and unbelievable things faded in and out of reality. Vast caverns and landscapes bubbled to life within the rock, populated by horrible manifestations of the dead god's dream.

where dreams and dragons dwell

Alagaësia ala = land gaësia = rich/fertile
Alalëa ala = land lëa = a beautiful dream
Elëa = the dream itself

Darn it. Just invented a name in the ancient language. Googled it to make sure no one else had used it ... only to discover that I had used it in an earlier book. Lol.
Can we ask what name?
Edurna

Edurna sounds awfully like Adurna and Edur
Adurna meaning water and Edur being a prominence

Whirling darkness swallowed him, and at the center of it... lay a formless horror - ancient and evil and from which emanated a constant merciless hunger (Dreams and Portents).

Now I fear what that weapon has unleashed will destroy us. I once boasted to be able to count the atoms in a cloud, to understand them all, predict them, and so did I predict you, but this new chaos is entirely terrible, mindless, obeying rules that I don't comprehend. And it is hungry.

"A black sun rimmed by black flame hung against a darkling sky... The beast rose rampant against the black sun - A wingless dragon, apocalyptic in size, terrifying in presence. Destroyer of hope, eater of light"

In Marathon, Rampancy is the enhanced self-awareness of a computer AI, causing a progression towards greater mental abilities and destructive impulses. The destructive impulses, however, are primarily caused by being threatened or harassed. There are three main stages, as well as a fourth and final stage that is rarely achieved, to rampancy, named by the primary attitude of the AI during those times: Melancholia, Anger, Jealousy, and Meta-Stability.

A melancholy dream of great beauty.

Q: I just finished reading To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and I have to know: it sounds like the Wranaui fought the corrupted during the Sundering but if that's true and it happened almost 300 years prior.... Who created the old corrupted? I've been questioning this for days!
A: That was actually in material cut by editors (some of the dream memories). Another Seed/Idealis was damaged and, when the Old Ones tried to separate it from its host, the xeno went rampant.

The trih xeem (also "tri xeem") is an extremely powerful weapon that can be used to force a star into early nova... it was originally conceived and built by the Jjaro [The Old Ones/Vanished equivalent]. Much of the Marathon Infinity story revolves around preventing the Pfhor from using the tri xeem and inadvertently releasing a W'rkncacnter that is supposedly trapped within the Lh'owon sun.

Marathon Infinity begins as the Pfhor destroy Lh'owon using a Jjaro-derived doomsday weapon known as the Trih Xeem or "early nova". Unfortunately, the weapon also releases a powerful chaotic being: The W’rkncacnter, which threatens to destroy the entire galaxy. Because of the W’rkncacnter's chaos or by means of some Jjaro tech of his own, the player is transported back and forward in time, finding himself jumping between timelines and fighting for various sides in a desperate attempt to prevent the chaotic being's release.

In Marathon Infinity, a W'rkncacnter is imprisoned in the sun of planet Lh'owon. It is theorized by some that the W'rkncacnter's powerfully chaotic nature may be responsible for the jumps between realities seen in the game. When the Pfhor use a trih xeem device to send the star into early nova, the creature is released, to the horror and destruction of the Pfhor.

Q: Is it canon that Angela the Herbalist is a Time Lord and did she make a cameo in To Sleep in a Sea of Stars?
A: Is Angela the Herbalist is a Time Lord? That would be copyright infringement, so I'm going to say "no comment", but she is in To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. And there is a canon reason for this. And you should have no problem spotting who she is in that book.

Q: On your last AMA on reddit, someone asked if any fan had guessed the identity and history of Angela correctly. You said nobody has guessed correctly and there's not enough information in the books to do so. That puts every fan theory out there on her wrong, correct? She's not the soothsayer, a time lord, grey folk, etc, correct?
A: Angela: Some of the fan theories have gotten parts of her history and identity correct. However, there's a HUGE aspect to her nature that no one has guessed (or least, not in a non-joking way). And no, I don't mean her being a Time Lord.

In Murtagh, it’s revealed that Bachel and “Uluthrek” (Mooneater, Angela’s given Urgal name) met with Bachel explicitly going out to confront her (a courtesy not even offered to a Rider like Murtagh)

Since we know that the Dream Well in Mani's Caves is similar to the Well in Nal Gorgoth I can assume that Angela is revealing the existence of the Draumar to Elva there? I feel certainly feel as if you're setting up her for something in the future series.
Heh. Good Catch.

After multiple "jumps," the player (seemingly the only one who realizes he is being transported between possible realities)

As hours passed, the stars turned above, night chill drew the heat from my body, and I fell into a curious trance, not asleep but not fully awake... The world altered" (On the Nature of Stars, FWW).

"As they landed, he noticed a patch of white on a small hill nearby. The patch wavered strangely in the dark, like a floating candle, then resolved into Angela, who was wearing a pale wool tunic" (A Sorceress, a Snake, and a Scroll).

"I traced a line on the wall, reached out, and opened a door that wasn't there. ON the other side - nighttime, a beach by a black ocean lit only by stars, so many, many stars, more than there should be. Of course, I would not take Elva to my home, not yet. But this was a waypoint, a place to build and learn and grow... She stared into the gap, the impossible portal" (On the Nature of Stars, FWW).

1. Healthy Diet

• Carbohydrate Management: Choose complex carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index, such as whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Avoid simple sugars and refined carbs.
• Fiber-Rich Foods: Increase intake of fiber through vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Fiber helps slow the absorption of sugar.
• Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Avoid trans fats and limit saturated fats.
• Portion Control: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help maintain steady blood sugar levels.

2. Regular Physical Activity

• Aerobic Exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
• Strength Training: Include resistance exercises two to three times per week to build muscle mass, which can help improve insulin sensitivity.
• Flexibility and Balance Exercises: Activities like yoga or tai chi can also be beneficial.

3. Weight Management

• Caloric Deficit: Consume fewer calories than you burn. This can be achieved through diet and exercise.
• Behavioral Changes: Engage in mindful eating practices, reduce stress-related eating, and keep track of food intake and physical activity.

4. Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

5. Stress Management

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
• Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, as poor sleep can negatively affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.

6. Hydration

7. Avoiding Smoking and Limiting Alcohol

• Quit Smoking: Smoking can increase insulin resistance and complicate diabetes management.
• Limit Alcohol: Alcohol can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels. If you drink, do so in moderation and with food.

8. Regular Medical Check-ups

• Base: Choose a liquid base such as water, coconut water, almond milk, soy milk, or low-fat yogurt. Start with about 1 cup, adjusting the amount based on your desired consistency.
  
• Fruits: Add a variety of fresh and organic fruits from organic farms sweetness, and nutrition. Some popular options include bananas, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), mangoes, pineapples, peaches, or kiwis. Aim for about 1-2 cups of fruits.
  
• Vegetables (optional): Sneak in some veggies for added nutrients. Spinach, kale, cucumber, and avocado are excellent choices. Start with a small handful (about 1/2 cup) and adjust to taste.
  
• Protein: Include a source of protein to make your smoothie more filling and satisfying. This can be protein powder (such as whey, soy, pea, or hemp protein), Greek yogurt, tofu, or nut butter (like almond or peanut butter). Add 1-2 tablespoons or follow the recommended serving size for your protein powder.
  
• Healthy Fats (optional): Boost your smoothie with healthy fats for satiety and to support nutrient absorption. Avocado, nuts (such as almonds, walnuts), seeds (flaxseeds, chia seeds), or coconut oil are good options. Add 1-2 tablespoons or a small portion based on your preferences.
  
• Extras (optional): Enhance your smoothie with additional nutrients and flavor. This could include ingredients like oats, cocoa powder, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, or spices (like ginger or turmeric). Start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
  

1. Prepare your ingredients: Wash and chop fruits and vegetables as needed. If using frozen fruits, you can skip this step.
   
2. Add the base: Pour your chosen liquid base into the blender first. This helps facilitate blending and ensures a smooth consistency.
   
3. Layer the ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients to the blender, starting with the bulkier items like fruits and vegetables, followed by the protein, healthy fats, and any extras.
   
4. Blend until smooth: Secure the lid tightly and blend on high speed until all the ingredients are well combined and you achieve your desired consistency. Blend longer for a smoother texture or add more liquid if it's too thick.
   
5. Taste and adjust: Give your smoothie a taste and adjust the flavor or consistency as needed. You can add more fruits for sweetness, more liquid for a thinner texture, or additional flavorings to suit your preferences.
   
6. Serve and enjoy: Pour your smoothie into a glass or jar, garnish with toppings if desired (such as sliced fruits, nuts, or seeds), and enjoy immediately for the freshest taste and optimal nutrient content.
   

1. Mangoes: The King of Fruits

1. Pomegranates: Jewels of Nutrition

1. Bananas: Gentle on the Tummy

1. Guavas: Vitamin C Powerhouse

1. Oranges: Citrusy Goodness

1. Apples: An Apple a Day...

1. Grapes: Bursting with Flavor

• Wash all fruits thoroughly before eating to remove any dirt or pesticides.
• Eat a variety of fruits to get a wide range of nutrients.
• Listen to your body and enjoy fruits in moderation, as some may cause digestive discomfort.