QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise 22.0/23.0 Management Guide

Overview

I have been maintaining QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise for several years now and have put together this guide on how to deploy the base app and the webpatches to users using Intune. I hope someone else finds this information useful.

• This works for versions **22.0** & **23.0**.
  
• You may reference this guide in an attempt to manage versions prior to 22.0.
  

Before you build your installation and patching packages you will want to make sure you have some necessary tools ready and that you are familiar with how to use them.

Required Tools

PSAppDeployToolkit (PSADT)

You will be using PSADT to do the bulk of the deployment work. You will want to get familiar with this tool if you are not already.

• The PSAppDeployToolkit is a framework for deploying applications in a business or corporate environment.
  
• It offers a set of functions for common application deployment tasks and user interface elements for end-user interaction during a deployment.
  
• The toolkit aims to simplify the complex scripting challenges of deploying applications and to provide a consistent deployment experience.
  
• Download PSAppDeployToolkit at [https://github.com/PSAppDeployToolkit/PSAppDeployToolkit/releases/\](https://github.com/PSAppDeployToolkit/PSAppDeployToolkit/releases/).
  

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)

• The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is a free tool for automating Windows and Windows Server operating system deployment, leveraging the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 10.
  
• Version 8456 was released on January 25th 2019 and is the latest current version.
  
• Download the MDT at [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54259\](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54259)
  

For managing QuickBooks with Intune, we are after a specific tool within this toolkit. We will be using the **ServiceUI.exe** tool.

Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool

You should already be familiar with this tool. If not, it is a simple tool to understand and use, so do not feel intimidated. This is what you will be using to package everything into a single **.intunewin** file that will be uploaded to Intune.

• Requires .NET Framework 4.7.2
  
• Download at [https://github.com/microsoft/Microsoft-Win32-Content-Prep-Tool\](https://github.com/microsoft/Microsoft-Win32-Content-Prep-Tool)
  

Building The Deployment Package

Download QuickBooks Installer

We need to download a current installer for our QuickBooks application. Visit the QuickBooks download center at [https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products\](https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products)
Select your version and download. This is also where you will download the QBwebpatch.exe patch installer that you need for installing updates.

Prepare PSADT

If you haven't already, download the current version of PSADT, extract, and stage the files to repackage for Intune.
Place the **QuickBooksEnterprise2X.exe** into the **Files** folder of the PSADT structure.

Modify Deploy-Application.ps1

You need to make some modificatons to the deploy script of PSADT. Enter the following commands under each corresponding section of the script.

Installation Tasks

Here you need to enter the following installation command for the **QuickBooksEnterprise23.exe** installer.
```

Execute-Process -Path "$dirFiles\QuickBooksEnterprise22.exe" -Arguments "-s", "-a", "QBMIGRATOR=1", "MSICOMMAND=/s", "QB_PRODUCTNUM=XXXXXX", "QB_LICENSENUM=XXXXXXXXXXXXXX"
```

Post-Installation Tasks

Here we will enable the XPS document writer with the following command.
```

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName “Printing-XPSServices-Features” -Online -NoRestart
```

Uninstallation Tasks

Enter the following command to trigger the uninstall script.
```

Execute-Process -Path "$dirFiles\uninstall.cmd"
```

Post-Uninstallation Tasks

Enter the following command to disable the XPS document writer.
```

Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "Printing-XPSServices-Features" -Online -NoRestart
```
You may make any other modifications you choose if you are comfortable working with the deploy script. Depending on your environment, there may be other tasks you need to perform to get the install to complete successfully.

Create Uninstall Script

You will need to navigate through the registry to get the uninstallation string that is used during the uninstall process for your version of QuickBooks.
Install QuickBooks on a computer temporarily if you do not have it installed somewhere already.
The uninstall string for QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise can be found at:
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall`
The registry entry for it will have a product ID for its name. Look through them until you find the one for QuickBooks.
Copy the **UninstallString** entry value and paste it onto a notepad editor to build the script.

Use the "/passive" parameter at the end of the uninstall string. This will present the user with a small progress bar during the uninstallation process, but requires no additional interaction.

Your complete uninstall command should look something like this below. Save it as a .cmd file to the **Files** fold of the PSADT structure.
```
msiexec.exe /x {B9BE758E-50B5-4BA7-987B-63184123AA1A} UNIQUE_NAME="belcontractor" QBFULLNAME="QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions: Contractor Edition 22.0" ADDREMOVE=1 /passive
```

Add ServiceUI.exe

This package will be running the the SYSTEM context. In order for the uninstall process to work properly the **ServiceUI.exe** tool needs to be added to the root of your PSADT structure.
This tool is part of **MDT** and can be downloaded from the link provided at the top of this guide.
After you download and install the MDT, you will find the **ServiceUI.exe** in `C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Distribution\Tools\x64`
Copy and paste it into your PSADT pacakge where your **Deploy-Application.ps1** script is.

Wrap with Win32 Content Prep Tool

Now you are ready to wrap it all up into the .intunewin file format so it can be uploaded to Intune.
Select the **Deploy-Application.exe** as the setup file when packaging with the tool. Depending on your computers hardware, it can take a few minutes for it to complete and the app to be ready to upload.

Upload to Intune

Configure Application

Navigate to the Intune portal to create a new Windows application and upload the freshly packaged app.
Enter details to name the application and give it a description. Included with this guide is a description markdown file that you can use if you wish. I have also included an app logo .png image file.
When configuring the app make sure to set install behavior to **System**.
Use the following Install and uninstall commands.
```

Install Command

Deploy-Application.exe -DeploymentType "Install" -DeployMode "Silent"

Uninstall command

.\ServiceUI.exe -Process:explorer.exe Deploy-Application.exe -DeploymentType "Uninstall" -DeployMode "Silent"
```

Detection Method

The detection method can be done a number of ways. For ease and reliability I have only provided the basic detection of the .exe after installation/uninstallation.

• Rule Type: File
  
• Path: `C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 22.0\`
  
• File: `QBW.EXE`
  
• Detection method: `File or folder exists`
  

That's it. You're all set to assign the app and test installing it on a computer.
Please note, depending on your bandwidth and network environment, it can take several minutes for the package to download and install.
If you run into failures, make sure you have logging enabled for PSADT to make troubleshooting failures a breeze.

QBWebpatch.exe

Prepare Files

I came up with a simpe file creation command that places a "log" file on the computer after successfully running the update installer.
This can be used for future detections if you ever update the app with a newer QBwebpatch.exe. Simply set your detection to look for the log file and its last modified date.
```
u/echo off
for /f "tokens=2 delims==" %%I in ('wmic os get localdatetime /format:list') do set datetime=%%I
set datetime=%datetime:~0,4%-%datetime:~4,2%-%datetime:~6,2% %datetime:~8,2%:%datetime:~10,2%:%datetime:~12,2%
echo Update installed %datetime% > "C:\Users\Public\qbupdate.log"
```
Intuit offers the **QBwebpatch.exe** installer that installs all updates for that version that are availalbe at time of installation.
This .exe can be downloaded from the QuickBooks downloads page mentioned at the beginning of this guide.
You will package it the same way we did the parent app. Use the below commands for the **Deploy-Application.ps1** script and **Intune** install/uninstall tasks and commands.
```

Install tasks

Execute-Process -Path "en_qbwebpatch.exe" -Parameter "/silent" -IgnoreExitCodes "1"

Execute-Process -Path "log.cmd"
```

Upload to Intune

Create another app for the update installer. Make sure to set it to System install.
Use the following install/uninstall commands and detection method.
```

Install command

.\ServiceUI.exe -Process:explorer.exe Deploy-Application.exe -DeploymentType "Install" -DeployMode "Silent"

Uninstall Command

Deploy-Application.exe -DeploymentType "Uninstall" -DeployMode "Silent"
```
**File Detection Method**

• Path: `C:\Users\Public`
  
• File: `qbupdate.log`
  
• Detection Method: `Date modified`
  
• Operator: `Greater than or equal to`
  

You're ready to test. The update installer has a "silent" mode, but it is not truly silent. Running it with the `/silent` parameter will hide the first screen, but the user still needs to click on a prompt to install the update when it's ready.

Since there is one imparticular api associate who wants to profile and harass me because i reported her to corporate follows me and lurks around every corner and isle i go down and examines e erything i touch but tires to hide her face, imma fill a cart with random stuff all yhe way to the top ditch it in the back of the store and leave a note saying "sorry had an emergency but you can let the ap associate jackie who likes to follow and profile me put it all back since she thinks im stealing ." And no i have not ever stolen anything from walmart and not parinoid she is a racisit lady who i know for a fact will follow black and mexican people. She does this everytime i go into that location. Nor have i given the impression i try to steal something. Ive reported her yo the store manager and he did nothing and have reported her to corporate at least 6 times in the past 6 months. I dont go into walmart but maybe once or twice a month but low and behold there she is looking me up and down giving me some nasty looks as if im some kind of harden criminal. Its like some kind of retaliation vendetta she has aginst me for reporting her. I will report her every time i see her face in my face. I am not sorry. No one should ever have to endure that kind of behavior from any associate. Ive always thought aps were supposed to be incognito and we arent supposed to know who they are. Only know her name cause i got it from management. Fyi look out for this bish in the canton tx location btw

When you're disappointed with the water usage restriction, think about the words "LET THEM EAT CAKE". Though the sentence from Marie Antoinette may result from the ignorance while McCaul is conscious of what he did.
In 2017, Michael McCaul, one of the richest members of congress, used more than 1.4 million gallons of water at his home. At the same time, the average usage of Austin resident is 20,000 gallons.
That happened in Austin, which has been going through the severe drought for decades. According to the data from Texas State Climatologist, by the middle of September, nearly 68% area of the state was in drought or severe drought. Despite Austin had already entered Stage 2 of Drought Contingency, the water-consumption went increasing.
The reason? When most of the residents are adhering to the policy for saving water, someone is squandering the precious water resources and trying to cover the fact.
Multi-family water consumption accounts for the main consumption, while in that part, the rich take the top. Data from the Austin Water shows that West Rim(Postal code 78746), a high-end community where McCaul lives, consumed nearly 900 million gallons water in August,2023( 4206 gallons per person), in contrast to the average 3930 gallon of citizen consumption. To confront the situation, the top consumption water-user will be exposed to the public for enhancing the supervision, when McCaul was listed on it twice in 2011 and 2018. Then there came the HB872 act In 2023, which requests to hide these data in the name of 'protecting users' privacy'. Since then, the relevant data hasn't been open anymore.
The money and water are similar, they flow underground and down to the "low".

Been buying modafinil online for more than 9 years now. Throughout this time, I have interacted with many Modafinil vendors. While there were a few bad encounters, the bulk of my intersections were positive ones. If my experiences can benefit others, I am delighted to share them!
Through countless conversations with sellers, and occasional instances of getting cheated, I now possess something that I wish I had possessed in the past: a compiled list of trusted vendors.
Essentially, it is an invaluable compilation. If this proves helpful to you, kindly consider upvoting or sharing your own firsthand encounters in the comments section.

Best Vendors for Buying Modafinil Online Reddit

Below, you'll find my curated compilation of the top 15 Modafinil vendors on Reddit, based on personal experience:

1. Modafinia
2. BMO™
3. Sharkmood
4. Buymodafinilonline
5. HighStreetPharma
6. ModafinilXL
7. BuyModa
8. Skinorac
9. Kuikdose
10. BuyEtizolam
11. ModaPrime
12. ModafinilUSA
13. ModafinilUK
14. DaffyDog
15. Quickfinil.

1. Modafinia
In my viewpoint, this vendor stands out as one of the finest. With their extensive experience in the field, they have established themselves as a reputable entity and their pricing remains highly competitive.
Over the years, they have established a robust and consistent reputation. The only small concern pertains to the efficiency and promptness of their customer service, which tends to be extremely slow or unresponsive.
2. BMO™
BMO is a relatively new player in the market. I have been making purchases from them over the past few weeks, and the experience thus far has been exceptional.
They are the first online vendor to provide prices that are more affordable than Modafinia. Their customer service is exceptional, with incredibly swift responses.
It is truly commendable and I genuinely hope they continue to operate for a long time more.
3. Sharkmood
One of the few vendors with a rich and extensive legacy. Their long standing track record attests to their dependability, albeit at slightly elevated costs. It may be beneficial to consider paying a slightly higher amount for the added sense of reassurance.
4. Buymodafinilonline
When it comes to their marketing strategies, those involved in spamming are often referred to as "spam kings."
On Reddit, there is a significant amount of testimonials and mentions them, possibly indicating their involvement in persistent guerilla marketing initiatives.
I can envision the influx of emails from HighStreetPharma that will likely flood your inbox once your email address becomes known to them.
5. HighStreetPharma
HighStreetPharma (HSP) used to be widely recognized as the most renowned platform on the list, offering an extensive selection of products. HSP has been in operation for a long time.
The previous purchase I made from them did not reach its destination, and attempting to establish communication with customer support was almost impossible. In the end, they completely ghosted me.
6. ModafinilXL
In terms of marketing strategy, the vendor who has the widest reach is the one I've consistently found to be the most expensive.
As far as I can recall, ModafinilXL has been in operations for as long as BuyModa and HSP. Consequently, it may be worthwhile to consider paying a slightly higher price for the added assurance and peace of mind.
7. BuyModa
This is the origin of the bothersome Moda Mike. Additionally, as one of the early leaders in the Modafinil market, they have focused solely on offering Modafinil and Armodafinil items, along with a limited selection of medication for treating erectile dysfunction.
Based on my personal encounter, the package that was sent to me never reached its destination due to being held up by customs. No attempts were made to resend it.
8. Modadove
Modadove may have higher pricing compared to others, but for individuals who are willing to pay a little more for the assurance of genuine products, it could be a worthwhile choice.
It serves as a luxurious alternative for those who appreciate premium products and are willing to pay. Consider them as the premium option for purchasers who prioritize quality over cost.
9. Kuikdose
Kuikdose maintains a low-profile yet dependable reputation. They refrain from extensive advertising, and instead, have garnered favorable online reviews for their reliability.
They resemble the unassuming participant who demonstrates their value through dependable contributions.
10. BuyEtizolam
This particular platform places its emphasis on addressing anxiety and sleep-related concerns like Narcolepsy, whilst also providing options for Modafinil and Armodafinil.
Renowned for their exceptional service and product excellence, it is worth noting that their prices may be comparatively higher than most vendors. It is worth taking into consideration if you are already buying Etizolam from them.
11. ModaPrime
It is important not to be overly swayed by their seemingly affordable pricing, as there is an additional shipping charge of $35 USD.
Their website is simple and uncomplicated, providing a limited selection of Modafinil products without any extravagant features.
12. ModafnilUSA
Being the sister site to ModafinilXL, ModafinilUSA prioritizes swift delivery within the United States.
However, the allure of prompt shipping is somewhat diminished by their costly pricing strategy.
On the other hand, I am encountering enthusiastic reviews about them all over the place.
13. ModafinilUK
For fast delivery within the UK, ModafinilUK is the preferred choice, surpassing competitors such as ModafinilXL in terms of speed and timely deliveries.
Although their prices may lean towards the higher end, their true worth lies in the promptness and dependability of their service.
Ideal for individuals seeking expedited and reliable modafinil availability without any hassle.
14. DaffyDog
DaffyDog presents competitive pricing and appears particularly appealing for individuals seeking to purchase Modafinil in the UK.
Despite being a relatively new player in the market, they demonstrate prompt responsiveness to inquiries, ensuring swift and dependable shipping services.
If you desire consistent and reliable service in the UK, this is an excellent option to consider.
15. Quickfinil
Their primary focus is on efficiency and speed, hence the name. Their pricing is reasonable, establishing them as a reliable option for obtaining Modafinil expeditiously in the UK.
Ideal for individuals who require their order urgently and value prompt assistance from customer support.
16. Skinorac (Bonus)
Although not specifically classified as a Modafinil vendor, this online pharmacy nevertheless accommodates a diverse assortment of products. If you find yourself in need of potent skincare medication, you will know exactly where to turn.

Guidance for Individuals New to Modafinil

The legal status of Modafinil

Typically, the possession of Modafinil is not a cause for concern, unless an excessive quantity such as 10,000 pills is discovered, which may raise suspicions.
However, unless you are involved in the unauthorized sale of Modafinil, I am not aware of any legislation, in any country, that could lead to your arrest for simply possessing a small quantity of Modafinil pills.

Potential Adverse Reactions

While the chances are highly unlikely, individuals afflicted with an uncommon skin condition might possibly encounter the emergence of a rash resembling minuscule protrusions throughout their entire body.
In situations like this, where the condition can be greatly severe and distressing, it is crucial to promptly seek medical help.
Throughout the documented usage of Modafinil, a mere six individuals have encountered this particular skin condition, suggesting that it is not a significant cause for alarm.
Commonly encountered side effects encompass migraines, disruptions in sleep patterns, increased levels of anxiety, and possibly sensations of queasiness and gastrointestinal unease.
Apart from disruptions to my sleep patterns, I have personally not encountered any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Nevertheless, there have been instances when a mild headache ensued as a result of sleep deprivation.
Based on my personal observations, I have come to realize that I only experience headaches when I go without sleep for prolonged periods lasting up to four days.

Conclusion

In my view, the most arduous aspect of using this cognitive enhancer is the struggle to maintain a proper and consistent sleep schedule.
In order to minimize the extended duration of action of Modafinil or Armodafinil, which can extend beyond 8 - 12 hours, I make an effort to take them as early in the morning as possible.
By following this approach, I am able to maximize the advantages of Modafinil throughout the daytime, while ensuring restful and consistent sleep at night.
That concludes this post. I hope it was helpful to someone.
Please inform me if you are aware of any additional Modafinil suppliers that you believe should be included on the list or have been overlooked.
Let's build a great community and space together!
[Last revised on October 5th, 2024]

Lately, many guys have been asking about matchmakers, so I am going to write a series of articles focusing on matchmakers - what they do and what to look for.
A Personal Process
The matchmaking process is an incredibly personal. A person who knows you introduces you to another person they know.
That part of it is simple and easy to understand. It was one of the primary ways people met. Often the matchmaker was an aunt or the wife of a minister or rabbi or maybe the school marm or post mistress in the American West. Usually, it was a woman who knew a lot of people in the community.
Of course, matchmakers still play an important role in most of the world, although it is not nearly as common in the US or Europe as it was even fifty years ago. This largely is a result of a general rise in the age of marriage and an explosion in the movement of people, because you need to really know two people before you match them. Sadly, today in the West nobody knows anyone, so matchmaking is not as common.
Professional Matchmakers
In fact, professional matchmakers were largely restricted to immigrant communities until about twenty years ago. In big American cities there were still a few women making a living as Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, or Jewish matchmakers, but often these were very small businesses.
Something changed and I don't really know what but the industry grew out of those issues. It seems to have revived first in New York City with millionaire matchmakers charging exorbitant rates to match very wealthy men with beautiful younger women.
The problem was that these matchmakers usually did not know the men or the women, so they created a process based on traditional methods mixed with modern social science research. The process its self is important.
The Process
The matchmaking process is still very personal, but often feels more like a job interview. You work directly with a matchmaker for weeks. They ask an array of very personal questions in an attempt to determine exactly what they right type of woman for you is.
It is very detailed. Here is the form that AFA requires its matchmaking clients to fill out. Other services go into even more detail and some require sessions with a psychologist. For a lot of guys this is a turn-off because it feels too invasive.
Then the matchmaker selects the women for you to meet based on this research. Some of the matchmakers will not even tell you anything about the woman you are paying hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars to meet. Others allow a lot more input including looking at photos.
I understand the concerns about photos. Men are incredibly visual. They often look at a photo and "Fall in Love!" This gums up the meeting process, but if you get a guy in front of a woman - maybe a woman who is not his idea of drop dead gorgeous there might be enough real chemistry to spark a relationship.
Next the matchmaker selects the first date. Usually, the international matchmakers provide the drive, translator, and have already chosen the restaurant. They try very hard to make these first dates perfect.
Then the next day the client is de-briefed by the matchmaker. What happens next depends on this debriefing. Sometimes there is a second date with the woman and other times moving on to a different woman. Sometimes they have the unpleasant task of telling the man - who is the paying customer - that the woman is not interested in him. Then they will discuss what the man can do to improve his form and begin looking for the next match.
This process might continue for a set number of dates or time. It all depends. Generally, matchmakers have a pretty high success rate, especially for financially successful men with a really poor dating track record.
And one of the best thing about all matchmakers is that they are really trying very, very hard. They want to see you succeed. Even the worst want you to succeed as another notch on their broom, but the best will coach you, encourage you, educate with you, cry with you, and celebrate with you.
Factors To Consider When Selecting a Matchmaker

1. General Personality: You are going to spend a ton of time with the matchmaker and their staff. Do you like how they carry themselves and what you can tell of their ethics? What is their background and education? If you do not match well with them the process will be difficult.
2. Aggressiveness: Some matchmakers are VERY pushy. That is a regular issue for men. Be sure you like and respect your matchmaker before you spend any money, and that you are willing to listen to their advice. Otherwise you are simply wasting your time and money.
3. Transparency: How much do they charge and when do they tell you the price? Some matchmakers are notorious for not telling men their price until they know a ton about them and can therefore squeeze them for the maximum amount. This is one of the worse industry practices.
4. Price: The price of high end matchmaking can be more than $500k. That is at the very top of the US and European market. In international matchmaking there is at least one company that advertises a $100k package, although I bet they rarely sell them. In international matchmaking I would say the price usually runs from $5k for a simple package of a few dates in one city to about $20k for scores of dates in a variety of countries over a period of months. SHOP AROUND! Compare price and services.
5. Size Database: How many women do they actually have in their database? This is another issue full of lack of transparency. Often these agencies have very limited catalogs but can reach out to other matchmakers for a trade. This creates a slow complicated process. The more women they have in their database the simpler the process is and the higher chance of success.
6. Location: Where are the women located? This is usually self-evident but since the war in Ukraine it is more important than ever.
7. The Matchmaking Process: Ask them to explain EXACTLY what their process is? Who is involved and how are the women vetted? Ask if you will get to see the women's profiles and photos. I would be careful about ruling out a well regarded service over this issue, but you should know before you start.
8. Reviews: Read the reviews and try to talk to people who actually used them.
9. Beauty: No, not the matchmakers beauty - your potential matches beauty. If you are at least partially driven by beauty mention it and listen to the reaction. Every matchmaker wishes men were not so visual, but you can judge a lot by what they say about this question both good and bad.
10. Settling: A matchmaker should not start out expecting you to settle. You might need to work on yourself and maybe be more open to possibilities, but not to settling. You want a matchmaker who is as devoted to finding you the perfect match as your mom.

Reader Feedback
Have you used a matchmaker. If so, please, please write the name of the company. I have some questions I will DM you for use in future reviews.
Best Wishes!
​

Introduction to launching a pet supplies online business

Launching a pet supplies online business can be an exciting and profitable venture. With the increasing popularity of online shopping, pet owners are looking for convenient ways to purchase supplies for their furry friends. However, there are several pitfalls that aspiring entrepreneurs need to be aware of in order to ensure a successful launch. In this article, we will explore seven common pitfalls that you should avoid when starting your pet supplies online business. By understanding these challenges and taking the necessary precautions, you can set yourself up for success and build a thriving online business in the pet supplies industry.

Benefits of starting an online pet supplies business

Starting an online pet supplies business offers several benefits. One of the key advantages is the flexibility it provides. With an online business, you have the freedom to work from anywhere, at any time. Additionally, an online business allows you to reach a wider audience, increasing your potential customer base. Another benefit is the cost savings associated with not having a physical storefront. You can avoid expenses such as rent, utilities, and maintenance. Furthermore, starting an online pet supplies business gives you the opportunity to showcase your creativity and branding through logo design. Creating a unique and eye-catching logo can help establish your brand identity and attract customers. In this article, we will guide you through the logo design process step by step, ensuring that you create a visually appealing and memorable logo for your pet supplies business.

Challenges of launching a pet supplies online business

Launching a pet supplies online business can be an exciting venture, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the main challenges is HR recruiting. Finding the right talent to join your team and help your business grow is essential, but it can be a time-consuming and daunting task. Fortunately, with the help of tools like Canva, you can streamline the recruiting process and create visually appealing job postings that attract top candidates. Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements that allow you to create professional-looking job ads in minutes. By leveraging Canva's features, you can save time and effort in the hiring process, ensuring that you find the right candidates to propel your pet supplies online business forward.

Lack of Market Research

Importance of conducting market research

When launching your pet supplies online business, it is crucial to understand the importance of conducting market research. Market research helps you gather valuable insights about your target audience, competitors, and industry trends. By analyzing the market, you can identify potential opportunities and challenges that may arise in the e-commerce business. This research allows you to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to position your online business for success. Conducting market research ensures that you have a thorough understanding of the market dynamics and customer preferences, enabling you to tailor your offerings and marketing efforts accordingly. With a solid foundation of market research, you can navigate the competitive landscape and establish a strong presence in the pet supplies e-commerce industry.

Identifying target audience and their needs

Identifying the target audience and understanding their needs is crucial for powering your business. By determining who your ideal customers are and what they are looking for, you can tailor your pet supplies online business to meet their specific requirements. Conduct thorough market research to gain insights into the demographics, preferences, and purchasing behavior of your target audience. This will enable you to create targeted marketing campaigns, develop products that resonate with your customers, and provide exceptional customer service. By addressing the needs of your target audience effectively, you can position your business for success and establish a strong foothold in the pet supplies industry.

Analyzing competition and market trends

Analyzing competition and market trends is crucial for the success of any business. It allows business owners to gain valuable insights into the current market landscape and make informed decisions. By studying the competition, business owners can identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to differentiate themselves. Additionally, analyzing market trends helps business owners stay updated on consumer preferences and demands, enabling them to adapt their offerings accordingly. This article provides advice for business owners on how to effectively analyze competition and market trends to stay ahead in the pet supplies online business industry.

Inadequate Website Design and User Experience

Importance of a visually appealing and user-friendly website

A visually appealing and user-friendly website is of utmost importance when launching your pet supplies online business. Your website serves as the face of your brand and the first impression for potential customers. It is crucial to create a website that not only showcases your products but also provides a seamless and enjoyable browsing experience. One key aspect of a visually appealing website is a well-designed fashion logo. A fashion logo design can enhance the overall aesthetic of your website and create a strong brand identity. By incorporating visually appealing elements and user-friendly features, such as easy navigation and clear product descriptions, you can attract and retain customers, ultimately driving the success of your pet supplies online business.

Optimizing website navigation and search functionality

Optimizing website navigation and search functionality is crucial for the success of your pet supplies online business. A well-designed and user-friendly navigation system allows customers to easily find the products they are looking for, improving their overall shopping experience. By implementing effective search functionality, customers can quickly search for specific items and filter the results based on their preferences. This not only saves time for the customers but also increases the chances of making a sale. Therefore, investing time and effort in optimizing website navigation and search functionality is essential for attracting and retaining customers in the competitive online pet supplies market.

Ensuring mobile responsiveness and fast loading speed

One crucial aspect to consider when launching your pet supplies online business is ensuring mobile responsiveness and fast loading speed. In today's digital age, more and more people are using their mobile devices to browse and shop online. Therefore, it is essential to optimize your website for mobile devices to provide a seamless user experience. Additionally, fast loading speed is paramount as users tend to abandon websites that take too long to load. By optimizing your website's performance, you can improve user satisfaction and increase the likelihood of conversions. To achieve this, you can utilize tools and techniques such as compressing images, minifying code, and leveraging caching mechanisms. Implementing these strategies will not only enhance the user experience but also contribute to better search engine rankings, ultimately driving more traffic to your pet supplies online business.

Insufficient Product Selection and Inventory Management

Choosing a diverse range of pet supplies

When launching your pet supplies online business, one of the key factors to consider is choosing a diverse range of pet supplies. Offering a wide variety of products will attract a larger customer base and cater to the different needs of pet owners. By providing options for various types of pets, such as dogs, cats, birds, and small animals, you can ensure that your online store becomes a one-stop shop for all pet lovers. Additionally, including both essential items and unique, specialty products will help differentiate your business from competitors and provide customers with a comprehensive shopping experience. Remember, the more options you offer, the more likely you are to satisfy the diverse preferences of your target audience and increase your chances of success in the pet supplies market.

Implementing effective inventory management systems

Implementing effective inventory management systems is crucial for the success of your pet supplies online business. By having a well-organized and efficient inventory management system in place, you can ensure that you always have the right products in stock to meet customer demand. This not only helps you avoid stockouts and backorders but also enables you to optimize your inventory levels and minimize carrying costs. Additionally, an effective inventory management system allows you to track product performance, identify slow-moving items, and make data-driven decisions to improve your overall business operations. With the right inventory management system in place, you can streamline your processes, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive growth for your pet supplies online business.

Monitoring product demand and adjusting inventory accordingly

When launching your pet supplies online business, it is crucial to monitor product demand and adjust inventory accordingly. This ensures that you always have the right amount of stock to meet customer needs and avoid overstocking or understocking. By keeping a close eye on product demand, you can identify popular items and make informed decisions about which products to prioritize. Additionally, monitoring demand allows you to identify any trends or changes in customer preferences, enabling you to adapt your inventory and offerings accordingly. This proactive approach helps you stay ahead of the competition and provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Weak Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Creating a comprehensive marketing plan

Creating a comprehensive marketing plan is essential for the success of any online business. It involves strategizing and implementing various marketing techniques to reach the target audience and drive sales. One crucial aspect of a marketing plan is the use of captivating narratives. Captivating narratives have the power to engage customers and create a lasting impression. By incorporating captivating narratives into your marketing strategy, you can effectively communicate your brand story and values, making your pet supplies online business stand out from the competition. To create captivating narratives, consider highlighting the unique features and benefits of your products, sharing customer success stories, and leveraging the emotional connection people have with their pets. By doing so, you can create a compelling and memorable experience for your customers, ultimately driving customer loyalty and increasing sales.

Utilizing social media platforms for promotion

Utilizing social media platforms for promotion is a crucial strategy when launching your pet supplies online business. With the increasing popularity and widespread use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, these platforms offer a great opportunity to reach a wide audience and promote your products or services. By creating engaging content, running targeted ads, and interacting with your followers, you can build brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and ultimately increase sales. Additionally, social media platforms provide valuable insights and analytics that can help you optimize your marketing efforts and better understand your target audience. It is important to develop a comprehensive social media strategy and consistently monitor and evaluate your performance to ensure that you are effectively utilizing these platforms for promotion.

Implementing SEO strategies to improve online visibility

Implementing SEO strategies is crucial for improving the online visibility of your pet supplies online business. One important aspect of SEO is optimizing your website for relevant keywords. One such keyword is 'online payment solutions for home-based businesses'. By integrating reliable online payment solutions into your website, you can provide a seamless and secure payment experience for your customers. This not only enhances their trust in your business but also encourages them to make purchases. Additionally, by highlighting the benefits of using online payment solutions, such as convenience and flexibility, you can attract more home-based businesses to choose your pet supplies online store as their preferred platform. With effective SEO strategies and the integration of online payment solutions, you can boost your online visibility and attract a wider audience to your pet supplies online business.

Lack of Customer Service and Support

Providing prompt and helpful customer support

When it comes to launching your pet supplies online business, providing prompt and helpful customer support is crucial. A strong marketing strategy is essential for attracting and retaining customers. By implementing effective marketing strategies, such as targeted advertising campaigns and social media engagement, you can reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness. Additionally, offering exceptional customer service and resolving inquiries or concerns in a timely manner can build trust and loyalty among your customers. Remember, a satisfied customer is more likely to recommend your business to others, which can lead to organic growth and success.

Implementing live chat and email support systems

Implementing live chat and email support systems can greatly enhance customer satisfaction and improve the overall shopping experience. By offering real-time assistance through live chat, customers can get immediate answers to their questions or concerns, leading to faster resolution of issues. Additionally, email support allows customers to reach out at their convenience, providing a convenient and efficient communication channel. These support systems enable businesses to provide timely and personalized assistance, building trust and loyalty among customers. By implementing these systems, online pet supplies businesses can ensure that their customers receive the support they need, ultimately contributing to the success of their business.

Handling customer complaints and resolving issues effectively

Handling customer complaints and resolving issues effectively is crucial for the success of any online business. When customers encounter problems or have concerns, it is important to address their issues promptly and professionally. This can help build trust and loyalty with customers, as well as improve the overall reputation of the business. By actively listening to customer complaints and taking appropriate actions to resolve them, businesses can turn negative experiences into positive ones. Implementing a clear and efficient customer support system, training employees on effective communication and problem-solving skills, and regularly monitoring and evaluating customer feedback can all contribute to effective complaint handling and issue resolution. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and striving to exceed their expectations, online businesses can create a positive and rewarding shopping experience for their customers.

Ignoring Analytics and Data Analysis

Importance of tracking website analytics

Tracking website analytics is crucial for the success of any online business. By monitoring and analyzing website data, businesses can gain valuable insights into their audience, their behavior, and the effectiveness of their marketing strategies. This information allows businesses to make data-driven decisions, optimize their website performance, and improve their overall online presence. Without tracking website analytics, businesses would be operating blindly, without a clear understanding of how their website is performing and how to make it better. Therefore, it is essential for pet supplies online businesses to invest in robust analytics tools and regularly review and interpret the data to stay ahead of the competition and maximize their online success.

Analyzing customer behavior and preferences

Analyzing customer behavior and preferences is crucial for the success of any online business. By understanding the needs and preferences of our target audience, we can tailor our products and services to meet their specific requirements. When it comes to launching a pet supplies online business, it is important to analyze the behavior and preferences of pet owners, including those who are looking for group homes for their specific target audience. By studying their purchasing patterns, browsing habits, and preferences, we can gain valuable insights that will help us create a user-friendly website, offer personalized recommendations, and provide a seamless shopping experience. Additionally, by highlighting the keywords 'group homes for [specific target audience],' we can create hyperlinks that direct customers to relevant products and services that cater to their specific needs.

Using data to make informed business decisions

Using data to make informed business decisions is crucial for the success of any online business. By analyzing data, businesses can gain valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and competitors' strategies. One key aspect of data analysis is understanding Google revenue streams. Google, being one of the largest technology companies in the world, generates revenue through various channels such as advertising, cloud services, and hardware sales. Understanding these revenue streams can help online businesses optimize their marketing strategies and identify potential partnership opportunities. By leveraging data on Google revenue streams, businesses can make informed decisions that drive growth and profitability.

Conclusion

Recap of the pitfalls to avoid when launching a pet supplies online business

When launching a pet supplies online business, it is crucial to be aware of the pitfalls that can hinder your success. Better communication is one of the key factors to consider. Ensuring clear and effective communication with your customers, suppliers, and team members can help avoid misunderstandings and enhance overall business operations. By fostering open lines of communication, you can build trust, resolve issues promptly, and create a positive customer experience. Additionally, implementing tools and strategies for efficient communication, such as email, chat platforms, and project management software, can streamline processes and improve collaboration. Investing time and effort in establishing better communication practices will contribute to the smooth launch and growth of your pet supplies online business.

Importance of continuous improvement and adaptation

Continuous improvement and adaptation are crucial for the success of any business, especially when it comes to launching an online venture in the pet supplies industry. In today's rapidly evolving market, staying ahead of the competition requires a commitment to continuously assess and enhance your business strategies. By constantly evaluating customer needs, market trends, and technological advancements, you can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to meet the ever-changing demands of pet owners. Embracing a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation not only ensures your business remains relevant and competitive, but also allows you to provide better products and services to your customers, ultimately leading to long-term success.

Encouragement to take the leap and start the online business

Starting an online business can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the pet supplies industry. However, with the right encouragement and support, taking the leap and starting your own pet supplies online business can be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. By understanding and avoiding the common pitfalls that many entrepreneurs face, you can navigate the challenges and build a successful online business. With determination, perseverance, and a passion for pets, you can create a platform that provides pet owners with the convenience and quality products they need, while also fulfilling your entrepreneurial dreams.
In conclusion, starting a pet supplies business online can be a lucrative venture. With the increasing demand for pet products, there is a great opportunity to tap into this market. By following the step-by-step guide provided on our website, you can easily set up your own online pet supplies business. Whether you are a pet lover or an entrepreneur looking for a profitable business idea, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Don't miss out on the chance to turn your passion for pets into a successful online business. Visit our website today and get started on your journey to becoming a pet supplies business owner.

So I had recently been in a relationship with my work colleague we got together 1-6-23 at a music festival I asked her out under the flood lights both drunk listening to great music which I thought was kinda romantic on my side. We discussed our future plans we both wanted a child and was planning on trying for a baby when she finished her exams (summer 2024). When we met I was 34M and she was 26F I was uneasy being 8 years older as I worried I was too old and at different life stage to her however she assured me not to worry. First problem started end of summer 2023 we had been together a good few months now although she was often busy and would go 5+ days without seeing me. So she was showing me something on her phone tinder notification popped up at the top of the iPhone which she swiped away. My heart sank I left it a few moments then said to her ‘why have u got tinder?’ Her response was that she used tinder to try and buy weed whilst she was on holiday in Greece with her gay male friend. He wanted the weed but couldn’t get phone signal so used her phone and she forgot to delete the app. I stormed out her apartment she chased after me and told me she loved me which meant something to me as I believe in love. From then on I didn’t trust her much and was wary of her actions when I was not with her. I chose to try and believe her story she did offer to show me the app as proof at the time also. Another issue she has an unhealthy amount of ‘lad mates’ she told me they are all camp and not to worry I did worry as I feel any man would. I would often bring this up and be shitty in text to her over these lad mates and her use of tinder. Fast forward New Years 2024 relationship was well. I did something amazing for her she had some shit on Google about her which I managed to get removed about her being in an anorexic clinic I also finally told her I loved her. We went to sleep but for some reason I woke up and felt an urge to check her phone I had never done this before but I had seen unread snapchats from male names which was wrecking my head. I opened them they were selfies weird. I then went into her archived WhatsApp she then began fighting me to get her phone back obviously because she was hiding something. She got her phone back and I caught her swiping a message away to delete it which she later denied. I broke down crying and tried to leave her apartment which she stopped me from doing. I then asked to check her Facebook and Instagram messages. I found her arranging to go on a date in August 2023 we had been together 2 months with a male uni friend so she told me he was anyway. Her excuse was she didn’t go and meet him and didn’t want to hurt his feelings? Why not just say u have a bf then. She was also flirting with a male work colleague we both knew saying about spooning together. Her excuse we was just bantering. Anyway for some reason I didn’t leave her then I made her change her profile pics to ones of me and her on everything to show she was with me to her social media world. We had a bad bust up on her birthday Jan 28 2024 I called her a fucking cheat via text on her birthday she went to leave me the next day I begged for her not to and we then went away together on holiday and became super close and in love. I felt amazing and better about us being together. However I then asked to see her WhatsApp archived messages recently she let me. I found hidden there a message from a uni lad mate again saying ‘are you still with your bf or have u got rid of him’. Weird thing to have archived I asked who is he why is he asking this. She gave me 3 diffrent stories about who he was one min he’s 29 then he’s 40 then he’s 35. I finally dumped her to many things now my head is totaly destroyed I’ve never felt so ill. What do you think?

*Management style:
Not democratic/participative. Not transformational. Not Coaching. Very much Autocratic/Authoritative/Coercive. Sometimes Laissez-faire. Style depends on the department.
*Chain of command:
The ministry is seen as a church by top management. Top management are the “elders” and the CEO is the Senior Pastor. Then there is everybody else. So, confidence is put on their positions of authority. They are, in all sense and purposes, the “spiritual leaders”. They present themselves as having spiritual authority and, therefore, as being entitled to receive immediate agreement and unquestioned compliance.
Also, there are multiple management layers or chains which this quote sums up as well:
"When you become an admiral, you never have bad meals and you never hear the truth. there are all these layers of management and buffer layers and each one is afraid to tell unpleasant truth to the top levels.... “
Not a culture of authenticity where everyone on the team, including management, is encouraged, and expected to be who they are. There is a sense that top management puts up a false front, they seem to want to appear perfect. Illusions of invulnerability exist. They always lead well, they always make the right decisions, they never admit mistakes, etc. Want people to think they got it all together- all rainbows and lollipops. Do not exhibit vulnerability. Toxic positivity is also very much present: Everything is seen as “awesome”. So, there is judgment if you have a bad (not "everything is awesome") day.
The vertical chain of command, results in less collaboration, slow communication, lack of career growth, feelings of subordination, and decreased employee empowerment. Top management sets the rules and standards without any input from the “bottom” employees. Employee questions, concerns or ideas have to go up several steps of the chain of command so that upper management can address or approve. The bottom employees do not have the ability to make decisions related to their work or a particular situation. So, not everyone feels equal.
So, if you are not a spiritual leader, you are just basically told to submit and listen to those who are in authority over you because they are the people that “hear from God” and you are not and so whatever they say goes. And they set up a scenario where they basically kept those of us who were not spiritual leaders dependent upon them.
Many in management are overconfident and overestimate their abilities. They have a simple idea of how things are and how things work. Unfortunately, they make decisions that impact entire departments without gaining the needed knowledge.
The chain of command and lack of ongoing training also results in many employees being promoted so much that they max out their competence and will remain there until they leave or are let go. So, you end up with many in the role of management that lack the training and competence of the respective department. So, employees with the most authority are often not the most experienced and not adept in the particular field leading team members. And employees with the most experience and skills and knowledge and wisdom have the least (or no) authority.
Good leaders don’t always claim the “leader” title. Oftentimes, good leaders are those with more understated temperaments. Leadership is as much about listening as it is about telling. However, people with the most open and receptive personalities often do not have much authority.
Also, how the chain of command should operate when there is a unit that acted without proper authorization, it is not a junior authority who’s going to bear a responsibility for that, but somewhat of more senior status. And that’s true in any military or business or ministry operating by a code of ethics. So, if someone at the bottom of the chain is struggling, failing, or making mistakes, those at the top of the chain bear full responsibility. Everything stands or falls on leadership. Unfortunately, the chain at FCBH is not two directional.
There is also a sense that top management promotes employees who are least-competent but pose no risk to their own position (in-group bias) to management.
*Feedback:
Work environment or culture is not set up for employees to give honest feedback/opinions or to deliver bad news or to question or disagree with management.
Sample bias is also common. Management will send an email asking for feedback but they won't consider how only the people who are open to talking and sharing their opinions will participate while others won’t. Bias arises because employees with specific characteristics (e.g., extroverts) might be more likely to agree to participate than others, making the participants a non-representative sample. People with strong opinions or substantial knowledge about a specific topic may be more willing to give feedback than those without. Management does not follow up to determine why they are unresponsive or follow up frequently to reduce attrition.
Management claims they want to hear from employees, but they only want opinions and ideas on matters that are superficial or trivial. So, few employees give candid feedback on important and significant matters.
Top management does not involve employees in the change process when changes occur.
Management does not ask for honest feedback on their leadership or on decisions that are made that affect employees. Management will not ask how they are doing as leaders, what employees need from them. No regular check-ins or 1:1 on employees’ professional and personal well-being. Are employees stressed, disappointed or feeling burdened physically, emotionally or spiritually? No growth and career discussions.
Management will ignore most feedback, comments, suggestions even when it's common knowledge but will adamantly listen to employees who preface with "God told me to tell you..." Or “I felt God say …” or “God spoke to me and said…”
For example, management started focusing on Gen Z only after a few people claimed that “God told us that Gen Z are important for our future business growth.” In another instance, someone said “God gave us this word: we as a ministry need to really consider how everyone is wired, how each person is different. How people have different personalities.” Then, management affirmed this “word from God.”
If one employee brings something up to management it is often ignored and the employee is gaslighted. If two or more employees bring the same thing to management, then God is communicating something and they take it seriously (per Matt 18). Even if it is just coincidence or frequency bias.
*Groupthink/Conformity:
Groupthink, confirmation bias, in-group bias, illusions of unanimity, and self-censorship is very prevalent in the culture and especially in their meetings. There is a lot of direct pressure to not question, to conform, to agree with the views and personal convictions of the top management. Employees condemn those who disagree or question top management and they accept those who agree, creating immense pressure for conformity.
So, many employees frequently remain quiet, preferring to “keep the peace” rather than disrupt the uniformity. Employees are pressured to hide problematic information (especially from top management).
*Disagreements/Different perspectives:
Top management will also point out the working and living conditions of international employees to “encourage” local employees to not “complain” or give critical feedback or bring up legitimate problems (e.g., fumes or loud noises from construction in the building).
Management also often commits the "ends (or goals or vision) justify the means" fallacy: the work, the production and distribution of bibles (the ends) being done is more important, so employees shouldn't complain at all about the means or their working conditions (broken chairs, broken or inadequate equipment, poor work-life balance, bad management).
And, if management disagrees with you, with your observations, feedback, suggestions, or theology, they will often try to trump you with spirituality or vague meaningless spiritual terminology instead of using Scripture (properly interpreted), facts and reasoning.
In addition, top managers will take great offense when employees question or disagree with the directions and decisions they make. Dissent is not welcomed. Respectful debates/disagreement is not encouraged. Open discussion and alternative perspectives are not encouraged. Management does not value, support, or respect diverse opinions and ideas. They do not actively seek out different viewpoints. Do not allow people to speak their perspective, their thought of mind. So, there is no psychological safety. Employees do not feel comfortable expressing dissenting opinions without fear of retribution or judgment. Afraid of breaking the little glass image. People do not feel comfortable sharing setbacks, mistakes, failures. Management does not encourage open communication. Management often seeks agreement, instead of posing honest questions that challenge the status quo and provoke critical thinking and discussion. They do not encourage employees to challenge them. In fact, they are seen as a type of complaining or critical feedback and so are viewed as sin. This makes top management seem self-centered.
*Appeals to emotion: Guilt and Shame:
Top management often shares their personal opinions and convictions (e.g., spending money only when absolutely necessary, not accepting large gifts, not buying fancy items) as something everyone should do. It’s never direct. It's always through stories. Management loves stories. The personal convictions of management are presented as more than preferences.
For instance, top management encourages extreme frugality and poverty through their personal anecdotes #loudbudgeting and stories from international cultures. Think along the lines of: “we, here in America, have no right to be sad or to complain about things or to request better things or ask for accommodations or for more employee engagement because others (internationals) have it much worse.” Even wanting better equipment and supplies or asking for better working conditions is frowned upon (in some cases seen as a sin), even if your request helps you to do your job more effectively and makes the work better (a new whiteboard, a new office chair, better computers, etc.)
Example: “You should really try to come in to work even if you feel bad, even if you are snowed in and the roads are hazardous because people need to get our bibles. And our international employees work in much harsher conditions.”
You also get this feeling from the way they communicate that top management would rather not pay their employees. They would prefer it if everyone just worked for free because “we are on a mission from God. We are doing the Lord's work.” There is also a sense that employees should be more than willing to sacrifice their well-being, career goals, financial goals, personal goals for reaching people with their Bibles.
Leadership sets the example and expectations, so this all ends up making employees confused and feeling guilty and ashamed. Guilty and shameful about asks, spending money (even their own). Guilty and shameful about having nice things (new car, new phone, new tv), about making needs known, about sharing concerns regarding work, about asking for raises to keep up with cost of living, etc.
Example: An employee has continued to use an old whiteboard. It is so old it is hard to read and difficult to erase. Management likes to tell donors: “We don't spend money on everyday things like whiteboards…. Instead, we use that money for more bible recordings, for people to hear about Jesus.”
This also causes confusion. Every few months there is a meeting where management discusses how sitting on stores of money is bad, but spending it is also bad, but also not spending it is bad... "Being rich is bad. Money is bad. let's not accumulate money, that's bad. We must think about how people will see what we have. So we should look poor and not appear too frivolous." But top management is okay with receiving gifts from donors and other ministries. Management personally does not like to have nice “fancy” things, and as a ministry, they say FCBH should also not have nice fancy things, they should use the money for other more important things. They don't like when other ministries use their money for nice fancy things, but it's okay if other ministries give FCBH nice fancy things like tote bags, key chains, mugs, phone holders, lunch bags. Another example, it took them years to repaint the parking lot. It was at the point where people did not know where to park. Before repainting, management decided to remodel the hallways and install posters and multiple monitors with language stats.
There is also a subtle sense that producing audio and video bibles is the highest calling one can have. And it's implied that FCBH is the main means God uses to fulfill the great commission: “God needs FCBH to do these bible recordings or people (specifically unreached internationals) will go to hell.” So, top management hints that working anywhere else isn't really serving God (or at least, not serving God as well as one could if they worked somewhere else). They imply that working at this ministry is the only way to truly serve God and fulfill your calling. They also use this framing to guilt and shame employees into not quitting. Management implies that employees should not take opportunities to leave or take other jobs because getting the Bible to people is God’s highest calling for us as Christians:
“If anyone leaves FCBH, then they must not really understand the vision/calling. They are not committed to saving people. We should be willing to give up things to fulfill the calling. The apostles did not pursue better jobs and so God will provide if we need better pay, benefits, career. For those of us who join the ministry to hold true to get God's word to every person, it takes discipline because we have opportunities to do other things. I'm sure that Noah had problems with Builders because he probably had hundreds of people not thousands working on the ark. They started their own businesses and started side things going on. pretty soon they'll have no time to work with him on the ark. and you can have all kinds of diversionary things happen. and so we want to understand they focused in the ministry. and that's been one of the things that I've really tried to do is what did God tell me at the time this ministry began because I was not interested in this ministry. I was interested in living by faith and experiencing God through people and seeing people experience God. and when I was praying about that here in Albuquerque the Lord said bring my church together and make disciples. and then he also told me that when his people think the same they are one. so it's not a matter of getting rid of the buildings or the leaders but it's a matter of people thinking the same. They can go to different denominations, different buildings, have different teachers, and different preachers and leaders but once they think the same, they're one and that's what his objective was. and so that's when I felt like the Lord said get God's word to every person. So I'm challenging us to stay true to what God has called us to do. and every time somebody leaves the ministry there are reasons for leaving. but it startles me a little bit, because I think well we haven't, we haven't communicated the vision very well somehow because they didn't get it. like Noah building the arc. it it's a long project it's not a month or a year two years or three years. our immediate goal is 2033 and it means that we're committed to a cause. and that means some of us we give up something. I we've given up stuff we live in a small apartment and that's what we saw that God had us do and that's our lifestyle we we tone down our lifestyle to get the cause committed to the cause. and and I know that's difficult for some, in some cases maybe there's financial needs because of family growth and stuff there they just can't afford to work in the ministry. but sometimes it's a choice and every time somebody leaves it where it's actually a choice. I think we haven't communicated the mission very good the vision very good. I've been looking at is that could you imagine read reading the New Testament. and finding out that Peter about halfway through or Paul halfway through the ministry all of a sudden got a better job offer. and stopped their portion of the ministry they held the course no matter what happened. whether it was good or whether it was bad. Paul talks about this and sometimes we want to follow the Lord. but we don't impart on ourselves the same responsibilities that those disciples did. so when God Empower them is he empowering you in the same way. and you're making choices that maybe you shouldn't make that you will impart and say the Lord is leading me someplace else when in fact maybe it isn't. it's just a better offer. if the Bible in the New Testament was reading a little bit different than Stephen left the ministry at this point or James left the ministry at this point because of something I think we need to be very very careful and why I say that is that as we work internationally.”
SO, there is a lot of guilt and shame about leaving to pursue other interests or meet needs. Guilt and shame about wanting to leave to advance and develop professionally. For this reason, many remain “loyal” and stay at the ministry.
So there is lots of control and manipulation in the work culture.
*Weekly worship meetings:
These are mandatory and there are some legitimate concerns:
Top management seems to have misconceptions about true worship and worship experiences. They often reduce worship to singing by their communication, the way “worship” is used. Worship is seen as something we do on occasion - once a week, when we gather at work for the mandatory worship time. Top management, by ignoring other styles, seems to believe that there is a single style of worship which is correct for Christians.
And it seems like just about anyone can lead worship or be on the team: anyone that can play an instrument. Top management does not require a worship class or agreement to biblical principles concerning worship as a prerequisite for employees who desire to plan and lead worship experiences. So you end up with people who have different views/philosophies on the worship team. Unfortunately, many who lead do not take the time/effort to plan and lead worship experiences, to discern from songs that are better suited for individual or private worship from songs that are corporate or public worship, to discern songs that are controversial/questionable (have bad theology, weak theology), songs that are theologically ambiguous or songs that lean more towards “feminine” attributes. Most, if not all, of our modern “Christian” worship music is written at a simplistic level of understanding and comprehension. Most music tends to appeal to our emotions. Many songs appeal mostly to women. So there is a great need for teaching on the biblical principles concerning worship. Also a need to choose theologically balanced songs with music appropriate for the people. Unfortunately, many of the songs chosen are theologically incorrect (e.g., having elements from the Word Of Faith movement, New Apostolic Church, New Age). Songs are often not theologically balanced. Songs seem to be chosen for their emotional impact, to make employees feel good; many focus on just one aspect of God (e.g., love). Many promote self-centered worship.
Most of the worship leaders just sing the songs: They do not actually “lead” people into worship. They do not help people connect the lyrics of the song to where they are at in their personal life, to teach them something about God or help the people understand what this song means and what God wants them to get out of it, so they're not just singing songs and just doing, going through the motions or help them understand the depth and the richness of what lyrics mean and how it applies to their life. What matters to them seems to be whether songs are impactful, moving, and beautiful. (Whatever that means.) Whether songs make employees feel good. They don't seem to care whether the songs actually reflect truth: Do the lyrics line up with Scripture? Do the songs glorify self or God? How would new Christians or nonChristians interpret the song?
Theology is the study of God and it's very important doxology is an expression of praise to God so the point here is that all theologies should ultimately lead to doxology if theology doesn't lead to doxology then we've actually missed the point of theology so if you have theology without doxology you just have dead hold orthodoxy which is horrible. On the other side you have the people who say “forget about theology I just want to praise.” But if you have doxology without theology you actually have idolatry because it's just a random expression of praise but it's not actually informed by the truth of who God is so God is
concerned with both he's concerned with an accurate understanding of him and that accurate understanding of him leading to a response of praise adoration and worship towards him.
*Leadership quality:
Top management has more respect for donors and guests than their employees.
Management lacks basic core leadership principles/values:
Unfortunately, many employees are not given power or resources: Management just gives them the responsibility to get things done. Before responsibility is given, employees should be equipped: be empowered, have the authority, be given resources and have the experience. Employees are not empowered as individuals to solve their own problems using their own solutions. Micromanagement is often required every time the situation changes or problems arise. Employees are not inspired to act as leaders for themselves, delivering amazing performance without guidance. They have coaching sessions but only when there’s a problem. True coaching occurs regardless of whether the individual is crushing their goals or falling behind. Management does not seem to care about unlocking a person’s potential and getting the most of their performance. They seem only interested in producing more followers, not more leaders.
No method to hold management accountable to core values listed in their own Employee handbook. Employees are expected to abide by the procedures and rules described in the handbook but top management can choose to ignore it when it is convenient for them.
-Top management are NOT learners: No desire to develop and improve their skills.
-They do not ask employees: What’s one thing you see me doing—or failing to do—that you think I should change?
-They do not ask how they are doing as leaders. Or ask employees how they’re doing.
-They do not ask what employees need from management that they are not giving them.
-No performance evaluations for both management or non-managment.
-They often fail to emotionally connect with employees.
-They do not speak to employees' needs first.
-They do not focus on what they can put into people rather than what they can get out of them.
-They do not understand basic psychology, how people think and behave.
-They are often resistant to (and even hate) change: Perhaps because they fear losing control. In fact, new information, objective facts, research, stats, and even new ideas are often ignored in favor of what's easiest to do or because of tradition. If something has been done and “works”, top management does not see a reason to question it or to improve on it. If something was tried 5, 10, 20, even 50yrs before and failed, top management does not see a reason to try it again even if the exact circumstances have changed.
-They do not empower or give the means, the power or opportunity to do to employees.
-They do not trust others to follow through managing processes and performing tasks.
-They do not lead by example.
-They do not know when to move forward and when to back off, what to improve and how radical those improvements should be.
-They often fail to see options, and plan and prioritize.
-They fail to develop leaders around them.
-Their communication is often poor.
-Their listening is also poor: do not listen for more than facts, but also the feelings, meanings and undercurrents.
-They do not take the time to get to know the people they lead: no weekly check-ins which top organizations have to discuss how employees are doing professionally and personally. Management doesn't ask “what was good this week? What was not good this week? How is your well-being? How is your family?”
Competence in leadership skills is also poor.
-They are not teachable: not willing to keep learning, growing, improving in leadership and management practices: FCBH has a yearly “leadership” summit. But, the way it is set up, it reinforces weaknesses instead of challenging leadership growth.
The summit is also just for a select few in top management. Not every employee is seen as a leader so most employees are excluded.
Top managers attend the summit but there is no followup, no post accountability by other managers and especially by the employees that are under the managers. No discussion on how management will apply what was learned.
Some of the past speakers have had questionable characters and even questionable teachings (Judah Smith). Leadership qualifications and theological background seems to be ignored in favor of charismatics, dynamics, popularity.
-Top management does not take responsibility for their part of a disagreement or failure and apologize.
-They often embrace a victim mentality.
-They often limit yourself by your job title.
-They do not invest in better tools or processes.
-They are content with the status quo.
-They allow their past achievements to stagnate their desire to keep learning.
-There is a lack of discernment, finding the main cause of problems/issues.
-They do not anticipate problems.
-They do not accept the truth of the problem: Do not face up to the reality of the situation;
-They get bogged down in the details.
-They often avoid problems.
-They don’t deal well with problems.
-They do not have their team study all angles.
-They often do not value nontraditional thinking: Don’t embrace change, ambiguity and uncertainty well.
-They do not work well with differences.
-They do not have their own mentors or provide mentorship to others.
-They do not invest to improve their own professional or leadership skills.
-They are often insecure, constantly seek validation, acknowledgement and love.
-They limit employee's success and recognition:
-They do not seem interested in making people successful: Don’t attempt to remove barriers that prevent employees from being successful.

• They often feel threatened by accomplishments by employees who are not management:

If an employee who is not management has a great idea to improve the work, management often does not support it and may secretly try to shut it down.
When a team succeeds, management will not give other people credit and instead take the credit themselves.
It seems like some of the people working there were given the title of management, the position, and that alone made them qualified. Management or leaders assume that their position alone qualifies them to make critical decisions where they may not have the best data, insight, wisdom, skill, experience. Just because one may have the word “manger” in the job title, does not automatically make them a great leader. Leadership is about dealing with people, and the dynamics between those people, and influencing people.
*Dead end career path:
For the most part, top management assumes that team members are fine and "settled", rather than taking the time to understand their true feelings and needs. They do not ask employees where they are struggling, where they are having trouble, what frustrates them the most?
Management does not seem interested in making employees better both personally or professionally. They do not have a growth plan or professional development plan for employees. No job related training. They do not provide what is needed to help employees to grow and improve. They don't provide opportunities for employees to apply their talents and expertise. They don’t ask how they can better support employees. Employees don’t check on each other.
One is expected to work until health deteriorates and skills become obsolete so you leave in a worse place than you started. For most employees, there is no long term future with the organization. Management does not let employees know how they are doing and what the future looks like for them. What the opportunities are. They do not take the time to learn from employees what they want to be. No honest conversations to understand employees goals and ambitions. So, because there is no growth or development plan, no career path, once your skills are outdated, they will probably let you go or they will keep you in the same position and your salary will max out.
Management does not coach employees on how to manage their time, priorities, and energy; no teaching on how to problem solve, or make better decisions, or how to set boundaries or how to minimize context switching and zoom fatigue.

What am I doing? Dominick Mason asked himself for the hundredth time that night. It was late on a rainy Sunday evening and Dom, a tall, lanky man-boy of twenty-five with a prominent Adam’s apple and too big eyes, stared out the rain-slicked window of the 905. The big bus swayed and jostled as it lumbered down Central Avenue, the movements strangely comforting, conducive to reflection…and self-doubt.
As if on cue, his phone buzzed, and a pit opened up in his stomach. He fumbled it out with long fingers and read the text. Are u almost here
His thumb hovered over the screen, but he did not reply. Part of him wanted to block the number, slink back home with his tail between his legs, and forget the whole thing. He could boot up his PS4 and play Red Dead Redemption or GTA V like always. Safe. Familiar. The thought, however, stirred a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.
It was dread.
Every night, he did the same thing. He came home from work to his tiny prison cell apartment. He had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He played video games until it was time to go to bed. The worst part of the whole night was when he turned off the TV and saw his murky reflection in the screen. Plaid. Scrawny. Disgusting. He hated being locked in that apartment, with its old smells and white walls, but he hated going out even more. At least in his hole, he was safe, like a mouse. No one hurt or lied to him there. No one gave him funny looks. No one rejected him. He was completely safe in his solitude, a wounded animal hiding in its den and licking its wounds.
He was wounded and he knew it.
And he hated himself for it. Hated that he wasn’t stronger or better. Hated that even though he tried so hard, everything he did fell apart…if it even came together in the first place, which it rarely did.
The phone buzzed again.
Just a question mark this time.
His heart began to race and a steely fist slowly closed around his lungs. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and took a deep breath. He pictured himself alone in his little apartment. He loved the image, but he hated it too. Most nights, he didn’t mind being alone. He had to not mind it, because he didn’t have a choice. Some nights…some nights he didn’t want to be alone. Some nights he wanted warmth, he wanted tenderness…some nights, he wanted to be human.
Every so often, Dom would get the urge to find those things. They came less frequently than they did before, but unfortunately, they still came. He would create an account on Plenty of Fish and OKCupid, maybe some of the other sites as well. He would agonize over his stupid intro and his stupid list of hobbies. He would spend hours - literally hours - writing and rewriting them, trying at first to be serious, then light and funny, then cool, then aloof, then vulnerable. He would take the best possible pictures from the best possible angles, then upload them, never lingering over them because he hated the way he looked. He didn’t think he was ugly - mid was more like it - but apparently, he was ugly. Too ugly for love, too ugly even to talk to.
The ugly barnacle. So ugly that everyone died. The end.
All of Dom’s pictures were all selfies, of course. Guys he listened to on YouTube said he needed action shots, shots with friends, shots that showed women he had a life, was valued by those around him, and knew how to have fun. Too bad for him, he had no friends and no one valued him, not even his own mother. On the surface, maybe, but she had hurt him so many times over the years in so many ways that even the most devout son would stop and think.
It had to be selfies.
When his profile was in order - or as much in order as he could get it - he would start to browse. Dom knew his place and never messaged women who were too beautiful. He used to, but they never responded. He eventually began to skip their profiles with a pang of loss and a quiet what if? Now, he barely noticed them. Blonde. Petite. Blue eyes. Maybe she was a cheerleader at one time, maybe she was the type of girl who looked down her nose at guys like him. Maybe she was a sweetheart. In any case, he would never find out, so who cares?
He went for women he could realistically obtain…the type of women he’d dated and hooked up with in the past. Some were attractive in their own way, others were hard to look at, he wasn’t picky; he couldn’t afford to be picky. One woman he saw was a good three hundred pounds. She was nice and he liked her enough, but he lapsed into depression while they were dating and he never messaged her back…not that she made a huge effort to message him. Another was a pre-K teacher in her mid-thirties. Overweight with a big nose, glasses, and a plain face when she wasn’t wearing make-up. He liked her a lot and wanted to be with her, but after a month of weekend hookups, she said she didn’t love him. She told him she wanted a family - three kids, to be exact - but “changed her mind.” No, she didn’t. She just didn’t want those things with him.
Now she was in her late thirties, single, and having regrets.
She still wouldn’t settle for him, though.
Another woman he’d seen recently (six months ago) was fifty, but not unattractive. They texted for weeks, hot and heavy. She outright told him that she wanted to have sex with him. Said all sorts of nasty and sexual things. Their first (and only date) was her coming to his apartment. Instead of tender kisses, loving caresses, and intense emotions, they shared an awkward two hours on his couch. When he tried to hold her hand and put his arm around her, she stiffened. Not much, just a little. She said she “wasn’t ready.” He sat there and watched the flowers he’d gotten her wilt as she talked about her ex for an hour and a half, his arms pointedly crossed. He even leaned as far away from her as humanly possible, trying to communicate with his body language what he didn’t have the guts to communicate with his words: I’m uncomfortable, please leave. He planned to take her to a nice restaurant after they made love. Instead, he ordered something after she finally got the hint and left, eating alone like always.
After her, he deleted his profile (again) and resolved to never bother with dating again. Obviously there was something wrong with him. He saw guys who were uglier and more awkward than him with girlfriends, some actually stunning, but there was something about him in particular, something that repelled women…and men too.
Everyone.
It repelled everyone.
Maybe it was his self-loathing. After all, no one likes a sad sack. But that’s the thing: He was like this because of those experiences. It was a what came first, the chicken or the egg situation. Looking back, he had almost normal confidence at one point. Then all of this happened. The hundreds of messages he sent on the dating apps staying on read, unanswered, like he never sent them at all, like he was garbage unworthy of even a hello. The awkward dates. The occasional “success” that eventually fell apart…sometimes because of him, and sometimes because of them. The one girl who ran away from him when he tried to walk her to her car after a date. They didn’t click, he knew that, but he didn’t say or do anything creepy. Why did she do that? The girls who lead him on, talking about sex and sometimes even love but always had a reason they couldn’t meet.
There were other examples - many others - but it was all the same. Who cared?
Dom wanted to crawl back into his hole and stay there, to stop poking his head out and getting hurt. He wanted it so bad…but he was only human. Deep down, buried beneath layer after layer of scar tissue, there was still hope. Hope for love, for companionship, for acceptance, for intimacy and human touch. It was only an ember now, but even an ember is enough to spark a fire.
Some nights, he wanted to be safe. Other nights, he wanted to take a risk.
And this night was one of the latter.
Be there soon, he texted. He swallowed hard and wetted his lips. His heart was pounding faster and his bowels were loose. He really hoped this worked out. He didn’t think he could handle another rejection. If she turned him down, he’d probably go home and kill himself. Why go on like this?
He’d had that thought before…but he never followed through.
Maybe one day he’d actually shut the fuck up and do it already.
Maybe.
Ok :)
Her name was Heather and she was fat. She was not unattractive in the face and she wore her weight well, not that that mattered - he would take what he could get. They started talking on OKCupid last week and very soon, the conversation became sexual. He didn’t start it, though, she did. She was ahem very excited, she said. He liked to think that she was lonely, desperate, and wanted intimacy - any intimacy - just like him.
That really turned him on.
They agreed to meet, and now here he was, on the bus to her apartment on the other side of the city, hoping against hope that she didn’t hurt him too.
He put the phone away and stared straight ahead. The bus was nearly deserted, save for an old bag lady up front and a few Mexican guys in the back. Lights lined the bus’s roof, providing a cold, impersonal light. Dom took a deep breath and forced his dark emotions away. It was all on him to make this work. He would accept her fat, ugly, poor, and crippled, but he had to work to earn her love. He could do it.
When the bus finally reached his stop, he yanked the cord and got off. There was a plexiglass shelter lit by a single, lonely bulb. Trash littered the ground. Beyond the shelter, a park lay in darkness. Behind him, on the other side of the road, a housing project not unlike his own towered into the sky, lit up like a ship at sail. Dom swallowed his nerves and crossed the street. He found the door that she had directed him to use, and climbed the stairs. He expected trash, graffiti, and winos passed out on every landing. Instead, the stairwell was clean and deserted. His nerves welled as he climbed but he forced them down again. On the ninth floor, he went down the hall, battered on all sides by the stale smells of cooking and the murmur of TVs and voices coming from every apartment.
Dom paused at Apartment 237.
Heather’s.
You got this, he told himself.
And really, he did. Their plan - well, Heather’s, really - was simple and straightforward. She told him that she would leave the door unlocked. He was to come in, go to the bedroom, and she would be waiting for him. She said it was a fantasy of hers.
On some level, he knew all along that the whole setup sounded fishy. Was he being set up to get robbed? Would he walk in and get jumped by a bunch of Crips? He hesitated, but his need for love - and, yes, release - pushed him on.
He opened the door.
Inside, the apartment was small and messy, a living room to the right and a tiny kitchen to the left. The only light on was the one above the stove.
Everything else was in shadows.
Dom’s heart skipped a beat.
This didn’t feel right.
That thought was overpowered by the smell, a sickly sweet odor that suddenly seemed to be everywhere. His stomach twisted and he turned his head slightly to one side, as if to spare his nose. It smelled like something spoiled.
A voice spoke from the darkness, startling him. “I’m in here.”
It was light, airy, and cute.
For the last time, Dom hesitated. Some primal sense told him to turn around and leave…
…but he wanted to be loved.
Dom entered and shut the door behind him.
The smell was stronger. The atmosphere darker.
Ahead, he could barely make out an open doorway in the shadows.
He crossed to it.
The smell was overpowering here and Dom felt like he was going to puke. Any desire he had felt was gone, replaced only by revulsion and claustrophobia. It was cold, he realized, so cold that his teeth chattered.
Okay, fuck this.
He started to turn around, intent on leaving, but a small, white hand reached from the darkness. Icy fingertips brushed his cheek and his heart blasted into his throat.
Then she was there, her body pressing against his and her lips fused with his. The smell, the freezer chill, both stronger than ever.
They were both coming from her.
Her tongue hungrily lashed his own, and she pushed him against the wall. Her hands slipped under his shirt and pressed flat against his chest. They were so cold that he almost cried out.
Dom wanted to push her away, to run, but he didn’t. Instead, he froze up and allowed her to push him onto the bed. Was he too gutless to tell her no, the way he’d been too gutless to tell the woman who went on and on about her ex to shut up and leave? Did he secretly want to go through with this? He didn’t know, and he didn’t have time to figure it out. She was on top of him now, straddling him, his legs caged between her ample thighs. She grabbed his hands and pressed them to her bare breasts.
They were as cold as the rest of her.
She leaned down and kissed him again. He hadn’t noticed it before, but her tongue was…dry. Her mouth itself tasted strange. Off.
Heather broke from his lips and peppered kisses on his cheek and forehead, assaulting him with an intimacy that Dom no longer wanted.
Through it all, she was as silent as a tomb. She wasn’t panting or rasping with excitement. In fact, he didn’t think she was even breathing.
She brushed her lips along the exposed curve of his throat, and tingles of revulsion shot down his spine. She found his pulse and kissed it. Trembles of excitement raced through her body and she started to lap his neck like a dog.
Without warning, a fiery pinprick of pain exploded over him and Heather began to shake and pant. Dom cried out and tried to fight her off, but she was too heavy, too much.
With a tiny, mouse-like squeak - a sound of pitiable fear and resignation - Dom blacked out.

These are the steps I followed to install the program

1. Download and install Python (I am sure I have activated the add python to path option)
2. Download and install Git
3. Download and install stable diffusion through CMD (this is the Github link: https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui )

but when I try running webui-user.bat, I get the following error:

venv "D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\venv\Scripts\Python.exe" Python 3.10.6 (tags/v3.10.6:9c7b4bd, Aug 1 2022, 21:53:49) [MSC v.1932 64 bit (AMD64)] Version: v1.9.3 Commit hash: 1c0a0c4c26f78c32095ebc7f8af82f5c04fca8c0 Traceback (most recent call last): File "D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\launch.py", line 48, in  main() File "D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\launch.py", line 39, in main prepare_environment() File "D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\modules\launch_utils.py", line 386, in prepare_environment raise RuntimeError( RuntimeError: Torch is not able to use GPU; add --skip-torch-cuda-test to COMMANDLINE_ARGS variable to disable this check Press any key to continue . . . 

Solution methods that I tried but did not work

01.- I tried to edit the code in the webui-user.bat file to:

u/echo off set PYTHON= set GIT= set VENV_DIR= set COMMANDLINE_ARGS= --skip-torch-cuda-test to COMMANDLINE_ARGS call webui.bat 

but after that I got the following error

venv "D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\venv\Scripts\Python.exe" Python 3.10.6 (tags/v3.10.6:9c7b4bd, Aug 1 2022, 21:53:49) [MSC v.1932 64 bit (AMD64)] Version: v1.9.3 Commit hash: 1c0a0c4c26f78c32095ebc7f8af82f5c04fca8c0 Installing clip Installing open_clip Installing requirements Launching Web UI with arguments: --skip-torch-cuda-test to COMMANDLINE_ARGS D:\Stable Diffusion\stable-diffusion-webui\venv\lib\site-packages\torch\cuda\__init__.py:740: UserWarning: CUDA initialization: The NVIDIA driver on your system is too old (found version 11010). Please update your GPU driver by downloading and installing a new version from the URL: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx Alternatively, go to: https://pytorch.org to install a PyTorch version that has been compiled with your version of the CUDA driver. (Triggered internally at ..\c10\cuda\CUDAFunctions.cpp:108.) return torch._C._cuda_getDeviceCount() if nvml_count < 0 else nvml_count no module 'xformers'. Processing without... no module 'xformers'. Processing without... usage: launch.py [-h] [--update-all-extensions] [--skip-python-version-check] [--skip-torch-cuda-test] [--reinstall-xformers] [--reinstall-torch] [--update-check] [--test-server] [--log-startup] [--skip-prepare-environment] [--skip-install] [--dump-sysinfo] [--loglevel LOGLEVEL] [--do-not-download-clip] [--data-dir DATA_DIR] [--config CONFIG] [--ckpt CKPT] [--ckpt-dir CKPT_DIR] [--vae-dir VAE_DIR] [--gfpgan-dir GFPGAN_DIR] [--gfpgan-model GFPGAN_MODEL] [--no-half] [--no-half-vae] [--no-progressbar-hiding] [--max-batch-count MAX_BATCH_COUNT] [--embeddings-dir EMBEDDINGS_DIR] [--textual-inversion-templates-dir TEXTUAL_INVERSION_TEMPLATES_DIR] [--hypernetwork-dir HYPERNETWORK_DIR] [--localizations-dir LOCALIZATIONS_DIR] [--allow-code] [--medvram] [--medvram-sdxl] [--lowvram] [--lowram] [--always-batch-cond-uncond] [--unload-gfpgan] [--precision {full,autocast}] [--upcast-sampling] [--share] [--ngrok NGROK] [--ngrok-region NGROK_REGION] [--ngrok-options NGROK_OPTIONS] [--enable-insecure-extension-access] [--codeformer-models-path CODEFORMER_MODELS_PATH] [--gfpgan-models-path GFPGAN_MODELS_PATH] [--esrgan-models-path ESRGAN_MODELS_PATH] [--bsrgan-models-path BSRGAN_MODELS_PATH] [--realesrgan-models-path REALESRGAN_MODELS_PATH] [--dat-models-path DAT_MODELS_PATH] [--clip-models-path CLIP_MODELS_PATH] [--xformers] [--force-enable-xformers] [--xformers-flash-attention] [--deepdanbooru] [--opt-split-attention] [--opt-sub-quad-attention] [--sub-quad-q-chunk-size SUB_QUAD_Q_CHUNK_SIZE] [--sub-quad-kv-chunk-size SUB_QUAD_KV_CHUNK_SIZE] [--sub-quad-chunk-threshold SUB_QUAD_CHUNK_THRESHOLD] [--opt-split-attention-invokeai] [--opt-split-attention-v1] [--opt-sdp-attention] [--opt-sdp-no-mem-attention] [--disable-opt-split-attention] [--disable-nan-check] [--use-cpu USE_CPU [USE_CPU ...]] [--use-ipex] [--disable-model-loading-ram-optimization] [--listen] [--port PORT] [--show-negative-prompt] [--ui-config-file UI_CONFIG_FILE] [--hide-ui-dir-config] [--freeze-settings] [--freeze-settings-in-sections FREEZE_SETTINGS_IN_SECTIONS] [--freeze-specific-settings FREEZE_SPECIFIC_SETTINGS] [--ui-settings-file UI_SETTINGS_FILE] [--gradio-debug] [--gradio-auth GRADIO_AUTH] [--gradio-auth-path GRADIO_AUTH_PATH] [--gradio-img2img-tool GRADIO_IMG2IMG_TOOL] [--gradio-inpaint-tool GRADIO_INPAINT_TOOL] [--gradio-allowed-path GRADIO_ALLOWED_PATH] [--opt-channelslast] [--styles-file STYLES_FILE] [--autolaunch] [--theme THEME] [--use-textbox-seed] [--disable-console-progressbars] [--enable-console-prompts] [--vae-path VAE_PATH] [--disable-safe-unpickle] [--api] [--api-auth API_AUTH] [--api-log] [--nowebui] [--ui-debug-mode] [--device-id DEVICE_ID] [--administrator] [--cors-allow-origins CORS_ALLOW_ORIGINS] [--cors-allow-origins-regex CORS_ALLOW_ORIGINS_REGEX] [--tls-keyfile TLS_KEYFILE] [--tls-certfile TLS_CERTFILE] [--disable-tls-verify] [--server-name SERVER_NAME] [--gradio-queue] [--no-gradio-queue] [--skip-version-check] [--no-hashing] [--no-download-sd-model] [--subpath SUBPATH] [--add-stop-route] [--api-server-stop] [--timeout-keep-alive TIMEOUT_KEEP_ALIVE] [--disable-all-extensions] [--disable-extra-extensions] [--skip-load-model-at-start] [--unix-filenames-sanitization] [--filenames-max-length FILENAMES_MAX_LENGTH] [--no-prompt-history] [--ldsr-models-path LDSR_MODELS_PATH] [--lora-dir LORA_DIR] [--lyco-dir-backcompat LYCO_DIR_BACKCOMPAT] [--scunet-models-path SCUNET_MODELS_PATH] [--swinir-models-path SWINIR_MODELS_PATH] launch.py: error: unrecognized arguments: to COMMANDLINE_ARGS Press any key to continue . . . 

02.- I also tried the following method but it didn't work:

• Go to your Stablediffusion folder
• Delete the "VENV" folder
• Start "webui-user.bat"
• it will re-install the VENV folder (this will take a few minutes)
• WebUI will crash
• Close Webui
• now go to VENV folder > scripts
• click folder path at the top
• type CMD to open command window
• type: pip install fastapi==0.90.1
• type: python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip

I hope you can help me and thank you in advance for responding.

Top 6 Updates of last Week:

• Meta launches AI tools for ad creative creation and paid subscription tiers.
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• Youtube launches a promotions tab for Creators & SMBs to run quick ad campaigns.
• Reddit is planning to launch search ads and a mixed feed. * Using ‘keyword + reddit’ on google > using reddit search.

Trending

• Sam Altman debunks the rumours of gpt-5 and search engine launch, announcing new updates to GPT-4. The launch of GPT-4o.
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• Jack Dorsey has left Bluesky Board sharing the company is making the same mistakes he and his team at Twitter.
• Ofcom is pushing for better age verification, filters and other checks in new online child safety code.
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• Ocean Outdoor and Battersea Power Station launch new premium DOOH network.
• OpenAI’s pitch deck for publisher partnerships gets leaked.
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• Temu and Meta are being blamed by marketers for ruining performance and paid social marketing.
• Instacart and NBCUniversal’s new partnership connecting CPG with Streaming, changing retail.
• Sony and Apollo are in talks to acquire paramount.

TikTok 🎶

• TikTok is working on a collaboration feature similar to IG.
• TikTok shares new insights about brand and search experience on platform.
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• TikTok is having ‘Creative Made Simple’ webinar for SMBs on May 16th.
  

  Instagram & Threads 🗂️

• Instagram continues to gamify content creation experience, to make people publish more.
  
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• Influencers see more Instagram engagement with still images than Reels.
  
• Instagram is teasing a new creator revenue program ‘Spring Bonus’.
  
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Meta 😅

• Meta’s newly launched AI creative tools for advantage+ campaigns.
• The feature to create reels from existing content is coming to Meta Business Suite.
• Meta’s turn away from the news industry has lead to 50% traffic drop to publishers.
• Error: Meta shares detailed targeting exclusion alert sent to advertisers was a mistake.
• Meta Business Suite adds ‘review’ feature to request post to be reviewed by other admins before publishing.
• WhatsApp launches new UI elements, giving the platform a new look.
• WhatsApp makes it easier to find new channels with categories.

X (Twitter) 🕹️

• X working on Analytics for X communities.
• Nintendo ends their X integration for Switch.
• X’s new algorithm update has lead to prioritisation of smaller accounts, says Elon.
• Chat History is now live for Gork AI on web.
• X is adding a ‘cast’ button to the iOS app.

Youtube 🕹️

• YouTube outlines its measures to ensure EU Election Integrity.
• Youtube expands testing of ‘Jump Ahead’ premium AI feature.
• MrBeast is parting ways with Night Media, Talent Management Company.
• Youtube testing a new shopping feed in Youtube Shorts.

Google 🔦

• Google launches new ‘Saved Comparisons’ feature for Analytics.
• Google Shopping Ads get conversion annotations.
• Google Search results without SGE jump to 65%, up from 25%.
• Google hides search results count under tools section.
• Google shares Disavow link tool will go away at some point.
• Google is defending lack of communication around Search Updates.
• Google’s site reputation abuse policy enforcement started on Monday May 6th.

Agency News

• Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media unveils Ensemble, a branded entertainment company.
• Omnicom is shuttering Honey & Sparks and the talent is being distributed.
• Nestlé Canada appoints Citizen Relations as Confectionery PR AOR.
• GE Lighting, a Savant company appoints Bakery as Social AOR.
• Rocket Cos. Puts its media account in review.
• We Are Social US partners with Valerie Moizel, CEO of The Woo to form Hello US.
• Virgin Active appoints We Are Pi for global brand transformation.
• Famous Footwear appoints Yard NYC and THE MAYOR as Creative AOR.
• Warner Bros appoints BigSmall to launch streaming service Max.
• Lovesac appoints Hearts & Science as media AOR.
• BUNTIN appoints Trex as Media Agency of record.
• IPG Health consolidates agency brand roster, launch of new Rise & Run brand.
• THIRD EAR appointed by Nissan North America and INFINITI USA as Multicultural AOR.
• Indie Agency Boathouse creates supplier diversity program, expanding external DEI efforts.

AI 🤨

• OpenAI increase AI content transparency with launch of new detection tools.
• Etsy’s plan to improve delivery tracking using new ML model.
• Absolut & Copy Lab launch copyright-free diverse images for fashion content.
• OpenAI and Stack Overflow announced an API partnership.
• OpenAI introduces Model Spec to better the model behaviour and explores how AI can generate explicit content.
• Eleven labs preview their music AI model.

Reddit & Pinterest

• Reddit announces new Public Content Policy, setting new parameters for data usage.
• Pinterest hires Former Levi’s CEO to Board of Directors.

Microsoft & LinkedIn

• Microsoft is building a bigger and better LLM ‘MAI-1’ to fight Google.
• Bing tests clear distinction between free and paid search results.
• LinkedIn shares new insights on measuring B2B marketing campaigns.

Marketing & AdTech

• Bluesky adds new features; DMs, Improved custom feeds, Video and more.
• Shopsense launches retail media platform for second-screen shopping.
• GAP names Fabiola Torres new global CMO.
• Ocean Outdoor becomes official OOH supplier to London Fashion Week.
• Curb, a ride/hailing app launches Curb journey Connect, one-stop ad solution.
• Constant Contact launches new AI feature for Brandkit and Campaign Builder.
• 160over90 launches Integrated Creator Commerce service with Lumanu.
• Omnicom announces major expansion in India.
• Kantar Media hires Lucy Bristowe as CEO for UK & Western Europe.
• Instacart and Uber Eats partner, allowing customers to order Uber Eats food via Instacart.

I hope this helps to plan your week ahead. Follow for more.

Top 6 Updates of last Week:

• Meta launches AI tools for ad creative creation and paid subscription tiers.
• TikTok sues US Government over divest-or-sell law.
• Pinterest launches Media Buyer Certification Course.
• X will soon allow advertisers to use AI for audience creation.
• Youtube launches a promotions tab for Creators & SMBs to run quick ad campaigns.
• Reddit is planning to launch search ads and a mixed feed. * Using ‘keyword + reddit’ on google > using reddit search.

Trending

• Sam Altman debunks the rumours of gpt-5 and search engine launch, announcing new updates to GPT-4. The launch of GPT-4o.
• Google’s CEO responds to Search Quality Issues.
• Constellation Brands launches creative review for Corona Extra.
• Apple’s Safari 18 is expected to introduce webpage summarization, web eraser and more.
• Reddit’s Q1 2024 report showed strong user and ad revenue growth, 48% YoY increase in revenue.
• Jack Dorsey has left Bluesky Board sharing the company is making the same mistakes he and his team at Twitter.
• Ofcom is pushing for better age verification, filters and other checks in new online child safety code.
• Apple apologies for iPad Pro ‘Crush’ ad campaign.
• Ocean Outdoor and Battersea Power Station launch new premium DOOH network.
• OpenAI’s pitch deck for publisher partnerships gets leaked.
• Hubspot posts $617.4 million revenue for the first quarter of the year.
• Temu and Meta are being blamed by marketers for ruining performance and paid social marketing.
• Instacart and NBCUniversal’s new partnership connecting CPG with Streaming, changing retail.
• Sony and Apollo are in talks to acquire paramount.

TikTok 🎶

• TikTok is working on a collaboration feature similar to IG.
• TikTok shares new insights about brand and search experience on platform.
• TikTok to start auto-labeling AI-generated content to combat misinformation.
• TikTok is having ‘Creative Made Simple’ webinar for SMBs on May 16th.
  

  Instagram & Threads 🗂️

• Instagram continues to gamify content creation experience, to make people publish more.
  
• Threads adds view counts on posts.
  
• Instagram’s new ‘Meme it’ DMs feature capitalises on Gen-Z’s heavy use of DMs for chats and content sharing.
  
• Influencers see more Instagram engagement with still images than Reels.
  
• Instagram is teasing a new creator revenue program ‘Spring Bonus’.
  
• Threads is testing cross-posting from Instagram globally.
  
• Instagram is testing an new UI for Carousels, with no dots.
  
• Despite IG adding 3-minute reels, they were found discouraging creators from creating long reels.
  

Meta 😅

• Meta’s newly launched AI creative tools for advantage+ campaigns.
• The feature to create reels from existing content is coming to Meta Business Suite.
• Meta’s turn away from the news industry has lead to 50% traffic drop to publishers.
• Error: Meta shares detailed targeting exclusion alert sent to advertisers was a mistake.
• Meta Business Suite adds ‘review’ feature to request post to be reviewed by other admins before publishing.
• WhatsApp launches new UI elements, giving the platform a new look.
• WhatsApp makes it easier to find new channels with categories.

X (Twitter) 🕹️

• X working on Analytics for X communities.
• Nintendo ends their X integration for Switch.
• X’s new algorithm update has lead to prioritisation of smaller accounts, says Elon.
• Chat History is now live for Gork AI on web.
• X is adding a ‘cast’ button to the iOS app.

Youtube 🕹️

• YouTube outlines its measures to ensure EU Election Integrity.
• Youtube expands testing of ‘Jump Ahead’ premium AI feature.
• MrBeast is parting ways with Night Media, Talent Management Company.
• Youtube testing a new shopping feed in Youtube Shorts.

Google 🔦

• Google launches new ‘Saved Comparisons’ feature for Analytics.
• Google Shopping Ads get conversion annotations.
• Google Search results without SGE jump to 65%, up from 25%.
• Google hides search results count under tools section.
• Google shares Disavow link tool will go away at some point.
• Google is defending lack of communication around Search Updates.
• Google’s site reputation abuse policy enforcement started on Monday May 6th.

Agency News

• Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media unveils Ensemble, a branded entertainment company.
• Omnicom is shuttering Honey & Sparks and the talent is being distributed.
• Nestlé Canada appoints Citizen Relations as Confectionery PR AOR.
• GE Lighting, a Savant company appoints Bakery as Social AOR.
• Rocket Cos. Puts its media account in review.
• We Are Social US partners with Valerie Moizel, CEO of The Woo to form Hello US.
• Virgin Active appoints We Are Pi for global brand transformation.
• Famous Footwear appoints Yard NYC and THE MAYOR as Creative AOR.
• Warner Bros appoints BigSmall to launch streaming service Max.
• Lovesac appoints Hearts & Science as media AOR.
• BUNTIN appoints Trex as Media Agency of record.
• IPG Health consolidates agency brand roster, launch of new Rise & Run brand.
• THIRD EAR appointed by Nissan North America and INFINITI USA as Multicultural AOR.
• Indie Agency Boathouse creates supplier diversity program, expanding external DEI efforts.

AI 🤨

• OpenAI increase AI content transparency with launch of new detection tools.
• Etsy’s plan to improve delivery tracking using new ML model.
• Absolut & Copy Lab launch copyright-free diverse images for fashion content.
• OpenAI and Stack Overflow announced an API partnership.
• OpenAI introduces Model Spec to better the model behaviour and explores how AI can generate explicit content.
• Eleven labs preview their music AI model.

Reddit & Pinterest

• Reddit announces new Public Content Policy, setting new parameters for data usage.
• Pinterest hires Former Levi’s CEO to Board of Directors.

Microsoft & LinkedIn

• Microsoft is building a bigger and better LLM ‘MAI-1’ to fight Google.
• Bing tests clear distinction between free and paid search results.
• LinkedIn shares new insights on measuring B2B marketing campaigns.

Marketing & AdTech

• Bluesky adds new features; DMs, Improved custom feeds, Video and more.
• Shopsense launches retail media platform for second-screen shopping.
• GAP names Fabiola Torres new global CMO.
• Ocean Outdoor becomes official OOH supplier to London Fashion Week.
• Curb, a ride/hailing app launches Curb journey Connect, one-stop ad solution.
• Constant Contact launches new AI feature for Brandkit and Campaign Builder.
• 160over90 launches Integrated Creator Commerce service with Lumanu.
• Omnicom announces major expansion in India.
• Kantar Media hires Lucy Bristowe as CEO for UK & Western Europe.
• Instacart and Uber Eats partner, allowing customers to order Uber Eats food via Instacart.

I hope this helps to plan your week ahead. Follow for more.

Disclaimer:
This post has heavy spoilers to the story of the version 2.2 and maybe to something else. Good luck to read all of this. I yap for Ena and maybe repeat myself little too much. Mentioned characters:
Sunday
Robin
Aventurine
Dreammaster
Bronya
Seele
Cocolia
Mentioned Aeons:
Ena
Xipe
Hooh
Long
Oroboros
Qlipoth
Mentioned organisations:
Beyond the Sky Choir
Astral Express
Family
In loving memory: Ena the Order “The one who transcends the many”
In loving memory of Tazzyrronth the Propagation “The Sand king”
In loving memory of the Great Tatalov “The Garbage King”
So, the original intent behind this post was to create a lot of puns about Order and Sunday (for example something like Golden Order Radagon Sunday, “I will have order” with Sunday and a falling train instead, Sunday working in a delivery and saying that someone’s order was cancelled).
But then I started remembering all parts of Penacony storyline that have fascinated me. And one particular part master stroked me. When Sunday used his “tell the truth or die in 24 hours voice magic” he used not the power of Order, but Harmony – the Path he supposedly deliberately left behind and betrayed.
How can I be so sure, that he didn’t use the power of Order, making it look like the power of Harmony? Well, nor Dr. Ratio, nor Aventurine, nor Welt, nor (most importantly) Robin didn’t notice any sign that the Order was used and that the power on display did in fact belong to Harmony. And mind you, all of them are quite clever, experienced and hard to deceive. And in Aventurine’s conversation with Acheron in the Horizon of existence, Acheron (who as Self-Annihilator isn’t affected by the illusions of Order and can see through them) referred to the brand, used on Aventurine as the “brand of Harmony”. And the last proof is that when Sunday uses this power, he makes a call (or if you are a pun enjoyer like me, “an order”) to Xipe, referring to THEM as “Triple-faced soul”.
So, this was a really long and a roundabout way to prove that even with his supposed devotion to Order, Sunday still remains the Pathstrider of Harmony (and the laws of the HSR universe dictate, that you become a Pathstrider by following a philosophy of a particular Path). While being a Pathstrider of two Paths is not called impossible in the game, and Harmony and Order mostly overlap, there are some key differences between them. It means, that Sunday to some extant still believes in a philosophy of Harmony and is not a complete devotee of Order, how some people could have believed.
So, the goal of this post is to delve on the philosophy of Ena and Harmony through Sunday’s story, words, thoughts and actions. And to make some obnoxious theories, but that’s later.
So, let’s begin!
Ⅰ
In his childhood, Sunday alongside Robin, was called by the Dreammaster “two best interpreters of the Great One”. That means, that as a child, Sunday was extremely close to the philosophy of Harmony.
Let’s remember what Harmony embodies as a philosophy:
“Then, they say, O you who have reached the end, enter into the paradise that envelops all! Join this great choir and feast, listen to the beating of billions upon billions of hearts, holding you in THEIR embrace...”
“To battle the brutality of the laws of the universe, intelligent lifeforms must discard their cowardly selfishness and the differences between individuals, fusing into one singular melody — to have the strong help the weak, and to protect life with death.”
That is what Harmony preaches and Sunday was a follower of this ideology. Harmony preaches selfless people not only helping and uplifting each other to build “the paradise” (a prominent theme in Sunday’s thoughts) bit also welcoming every other willing person. Harmony philosophy is about acceptance, forgiveness, cooperation, that no person is beyond redemption, that in every person has inside of them the force that genuinely cares for others and strives for good. Harmony preaches something like this: “Because if it is possible for every person to become a member of Family’s shared paradise, then we should at lest try to welcome them in it.” That’s why Harmonic Strings (Emanators of Xipe) are not people and are actually manifestations materialized as the responses to the Hive Mind’s demands. It is a seemingly naïve and romantic ideal for the sometimes and indifferent brutal universe of HSR that requires great kindness, compassion, understanding, belief in other people, ability to see the better in other people and uplift them. And Sunday-follower of Order reflects on that:
"When I appeared as a child, my speech, mindset, and soul reflected immaturity and innocence."
"As I grew into adulthood, I left behind my childlike side."
Sunday (as shown in the quest) was a person of great understanding, compassion, and love for other living beings, full of desire to protect them (bird, Robin, other people). He was able to embrace even the worst people if they would show even the slightest glimpse of desire to redeem themselves and change for the better, like people who allegedly sold their own children. It is notable that he both acts as a follower of Harmony and an enforcer of Order conspiracy because of these very character traits. The motivation is the same, just the choice how to act based on this motivation is different between him and Robin because of different experiences.
As the ardent believer of Harmony, the seed of doubt in his mind was planted ironically by the very followers of the Harmony -the Family. And the disillusionment about Harmony also began, when his belief in other people was tested. When asking Xipe to clear his doubts, Sunday asks three questions:
“Who can judge the strong when their power hides their crimes?”
“Who can vouch for the weak when they will pay any price to survive?”
“If "the strong defending the weak" is truly the foundation of paradise, then who is responsible for the suffering and anguish in this wretched world?”
The questions display that the preached Harmony doesn’t work as intended. The extremely hard ideal to follow was exactly too demanding for numerous people who couldn’t stand up to the responsibility that came with upholding it. Also, as displayed both in the main quest of Penacony and in numerous events and side quests, flaws and imperfections of Family(note: of the Family on Penacony) are numerous. We have an entire “Ode to Fool” in the Grand Theatre about internal bloodthirsty war between the Family, where two of the seven families of Penacony ceased to exist. When even Family: those who preach the Odes of Harmony don’t act as they preach, are not harmonious, don’t show compassion and forgiveness, it is extremely hard to still believe in its teachings. And from that, the belief in people starts to slowly crumble as the very belief in a possibility of a paradise preached by the Xipe, is tested.
That is what turns him to Order. The feeling that while the paradise of Harmony is theoretically possible, how much suffering must people experience before it actually arrives. And when will it arrive? And IF it will arrive? These doubts in human inherent desire to change for the better leads to the idea: “And what if they don’t change? Then why take the risks? Why not to create something that guarantees their safety, happiness and protection?” His desire for Order is still born from his love for humanity.
Ⅱ
And while the shift in beliefs did in fact happen, it wasn’t completed and some beliefs in Harmony remain, alongside doubts about the philosophy of Order.
To prove that, let’s remember the Grand Theatre part of the quest (“Everything that Rises Must Converge”).
Before that Dreammaster has a particularly interesting conversation with Sunday. Sunday not only changes their plan, taking Robin’s place in the plan and then he asks Dreammaster why Penacony was the chosen planet to bring “paradise” of the Order. If he was completely convinced, why would he pose these questions?
Sunday several times brings the part of 107,336 souls of the Oak Family in his monologues. Why? Because he uses them to give self-validation to his beliefs. It comes not only from his desire to grant “paradise” to everyone (and this guys as stated dreamed about the paradise of Order), but also from his self-perceived responsibility as the Head of the Oak Family to stand up to wishes and desires of his subordinates, to protect them, and as the man with greatest position among them, to fulfil the hardest task. Because if people he is in charge of follow and support his views, not only it gives him more belief in his set of beliefs(ha), but also gives him even greater responsibility to prove that their faith in him, in Order is not misplaced.
In first two acts he displays before us shortcomings of the Harmony, trying to display himself as the ardent believer of the Order:
In the first act “Ode to Prisoner” he says that the freedom was not really achieved in Penacony’s great Independence War, posing a doubt that the ideal of Harmony even existed in Penacony since the very beginning.
In the second act “Ode to Fool” the theme of not so harmonic Harmony remains. Sunday talks about internal civil war between the Family, that eradicated two of the seven families on Penacony. How “harmonic” it is!
But in the last and most important act “Ode to Order” has a surprisingly different theme, hidden in it.
It is supposedly talking about the future of Penacony, but there is something more if you listen to its content once again:
General: “Without a ruler who would protect the weak and fight back against the tyrants?”
Chansellor: “We must assist each other in protecting the weak, just as we must assist each other in opposing the tyrannical.”
This dialogue argues that the very measures Sunday preaches, are not required for the coexistence and unification are also an option. Case of how differently Order and Harmony solve one problem.
Jester: “Without a ruler, who will make the stars follow their paths, the tides rise and fall, and allow life to grow?”
C: “These things did as they will long before the ruler appeared, just as they will continue to do with rulers gone.”
Where the Order requires an all-mighty divine king, controlling the world (like God-Emperor of Mankind from Warhammer), Harmony simply says that actually such beings are not needed.
Minister: “However, now that we have bid farewell to our ruler. Who shall take their place?”
C: “We no longer require a ruler, for we were originally all rulers who stand above all things.”
Once again, order preaches about the ruler on the top of everything, the one who has all of the rights and makes all of decisions. But harmony doesn’t work that way. Harmony preaches that if every person has equal rights to enter its paradise, then they are essentially equal. Where Order differentiates people and treats them differently according to THEIR criteria, harmony does not as THEY are all-embracing.
The choice of the position of Chansellor as the one giving answers is deliberate. It is another innuendo on differences between Harmony and Order. In Order king takes the power and pushes everyone under his control. Chancellor, as the representation of Harmony in this argument, is a position not a person. He is subject to change, unlike king. Unlike king, Chancellor is chosen among the people, by the people. He serves as one man being the voice of many people, for they have chosen him as a Chancellor because their ideals are the same and thus, they have entrusted him to fulfil their ideals in reality in their stead.
Some people were not satisfied that the arguments were not posed against Sunday by the Astral Express. Well, this entire act serves as a counter to his arguments, showing the point of view of Harmony arguing against the necessity of ideals of Order. Most importantly, they don’t disprove hid arguments completely, but rather pose a possible alternative take on things.
The Clockwork doesn’t work on puppets because they are “satisfied”. But what gives satisfaction: Order or Harmony? In my opinion, Harmony. Remember: in THEIR paradise there is “peace bestowed, sorrows and strife released.”
The “king” in the text obviously refers to Ena the Order, and the last talk from the “Future” in the act is about “final rites” to the king, that there is no need to seek THEIR existence, nor remember THEM. It illustrates the final confusion of Sunday: if Ena didn’t fight back while being consumed, if the philosophy of Harmony prevailed in the confrontation among the Paths, why try to restore the Order?
And after that particular act he chose to reveal to us the finale of Ena’s story. That THEY were banished to oblivion by the united will of the people who defied Order. And THEIR death was praised alongside praises for the appearance of Harmony – the ideal that prevailed on Penacony in the end.
And that is what actually 3 is actually about. Puppets(Members of the Beyond the Sky Choir) ask what they and everyone else should do after the “king(Ena)” disappeared.
They feel no safety and out of their comfort zone when the one that controlled everything about their lives suddenly disappeared. And Chancellor’s answers are the representation of the ideology of Harmony, that you don’t need to be controlled to strive in life, for that there is more to universe and that the “king” is not actually required for betterment of society, that society can harmonize and evolve on their own, that the unity of people can replace the “king”. Ironically, “the Ode to Order” doesn’t glorify Order but rather disproves it from being the one and only universal truth.
In this act Sunday actually reveals, intended or not, that he doesn’t disprove Harmony’s ideal, that he subconsciously feels that it can stand on par with the ideal of Order.
Then, Sunday poses between us three questions, each one has different answers depending on your set of believes: order or Harmony. Notice, that Sunday doesn’t give his own answers to the questions.
“Is darkness equal to daylight?”
This question is very metaphorical. Radiance and light, eradicating darkness and giving protection to those under the light are a repeated theme in the ideology of the Order (“I shall ascend to the heavens, becoming the scorching sun. Bathed in my light, my people shall flourish, while all evil shall be eradicated” / “Those who live in the shadows do not bear the right to tread the illuminated stage.” / “I now permit you to gaze into the sun [hardest line in the game btw]”) But radiance is also a term sometimes used to describe Xipe. The greatest difference lies in the fact that what Order will not tolerate (“darkness”), harmony will be able to co-exist with and eventually embrace. So for Order they are different, but for Harmony not at all.
“Are sinners equal to the righteous?”
Order punishes the unjust and uplifts the righteous. For it, they are not equal. But for Harmony they are, mostly because before Xipe the very concept of sinners doesn’t exist. Harmony is all-embracing, for everyone can change for the better and be redeemed.
It is a discourse in philosophy: first question was about whether are you able to tolerate something that goes against you. While Harmony can, Order cannot (Sunday can as literally shown in the quest so he leans more to Harmony in that part). Second question was about whether people can change for the better and be redeemed. Order doesn’t believe in it, Harmony does.
“If you are born weak, which god should you turn for solace?”
It is another question to choose between philosophies because Sunday struggles to choose himself. If you are weak and you bow before someone(“king”) for the protection then this is a choice befitting Order, but if you choose to cooperate with others, uplift one another and “listen beating of billions of hearts holding you on their embrace” then this is the choice of Harmony.
Notice, that Sunday doesn’t consider us as enemies at all. As he says: “I genuinely wish to avoid a violent clash with my esteemed guests from afar.” When Astral Express team asks Sunday why did he invite us to the duel, he responds: “Because our shared goals give equal weight to the beliefs we strive for.” He regards everything happening more like a debate of two equally valid philosophies. Even in the fight with him (second one) he still invites us to join his chorus of Order. And he says “our final talk is concluded” only when he turns into his Embryo of Philosophy form, when literally everyone who could has risen against him. And then he reveals his true emotions:
“If your ‘paradise’ can save more people, sever my path with your hands”
He knows he is not infallible, that his plan can be wrong, that there is a possibility of making better choices, better decisions. And he asks us to prove, that Harmony after all is a stronger concept then that of Order. And his quote before that really makes everything extremely ironic:
“If we had never experienced solitude, how could we embark on different paths?”
Once again, this solitude refers to the times when he still completely followed Harmony. Yet he was the only person on the entire Penacony because of his great compassion, who actually followed what Xipe preached. Yet, in this he was alone. How can you be in Harmony with anyone, if you are alone. The irony is in the fact, that if Robin didn’t leave Penacony, of if he met another genuine believer, he wouldn’t have turn to Order and he would remain under Xipe. With many similarities of Order and Harmony: the epitome of Order is loneliness, being a sole ruler of everything, the epitome of Harmony is a unity of numerous people.
“And thus, my talk about Sunday has concluded. Next part is about Ena.”
Ⅲ
While his monologue about history of Ena can also be interpreted as parts above, it is much more interesting to discuss it when talking about Ena THEMSELVES.
“Let us commence with the dawning of the world… After the Dusk Wars, darkness veiled the sky, and chaos consumed the earth. Ena the Order emerged, destined to restore all existence. That marked the first day.”
The Dusk Wars are one of the most ancient (if not the most) periods of history we know about. Ena emerging at that time, makes THEM one of the oldest Aeons alongside Long, Hooh, Qlipoth and Oroboros.
” THEY gathered nebulae and forged them into picks, thus creating a grand lyre with black and white keys. Strike the white keys, and the sun rose. Strike the black keys moon and the rose. And so the cycle of day and night arose. That marked the second day. “
“THEY transmuted streams of stars into inked nibs, creating symbols to be pronounced and counted. THEY molded stardust into flowing rivers, assigning the righteous upstream and the unjust downstream. Thus, all things were marked and the world learned to discern between good and evil. That marked the third and fourth days. “
“THEY used the planetary rings to establish the law, forging a code of conduct among the masses. A grand lyre with black and white symbols of articulation and numerical notation took the form of musical notes. The downward-flowing river became a melody, and the cannon of law dictated the form. Thus, all mortals found their unique place within this symphony. That marked the fifth and sixth days. “
Ena, as we know was a control freak, at much bigger scale and extent, then Sunday could have ever hoped to become. We know that «Ena's harmonic songs seems to align within a three-dimensional framework, akin to an emperor maintaining hierarchical order among all creatures» Not only people, but the movement of celestial bodies were under THEIR control. THEY wanted to and almost controlled everything in the known cosmos. So, THEY were the only person responsible for everything. And when THEY were consumed, the manager of everything disappeared and the scales of order and discord lost their balance. That is why Hooh intervened and took THEIR responsibilities.
“THEY imbued world with meaning, perfecting all things in the heavens and earth. Then, THEY rested from the labors of creation. Yet, all beings cried to Ena – ‘Under the banner of the Order, you have defined all things in the Cosmos… but this made us realize that we are but puppets in your hands!’ – Thus, on that day, all beings united and cast the Aeon into the abyss of oblivion. That marked the seventh day. “
And this is the most interesting part. We know that Ena was consumed by Xipe, so why does Sunday refer to THEIR death as an action, made by humans?
As we know, Xipe “hails from multiple harmonious celestial words”, “a plural Aeon” and “THEY are the amalgamation of thousands of entities”. Thus, I pose that Xipe ascension was not a process of accension of a one person who somehow become an Aeon, but rather that several beings in a moment of unity (of “harmony”) were ascending as one. Next bit is purely theoretical:
But who could provide such unity before the existence of Harmony? Only the Beyond the Sky Choir – followers of Ena could understand the true extent of Ena’s control over everything and unify to create a change. Thus, mortals ascended into Aeon, befitting their shared beliefs, and from the Beyond the Sky Choir, Xipe arose with a new symphony of Harmony.
ⅠⅤ
Also, some other interesting bits from 2.2. storyline:
The most overlooked part of 2.2 quest for me is that part before boss battle when Sunday says that he doesn’t intend to either resurrect Ena or become a new Aeon of Order. While the actual possibility of such actions remains “enigmatic, we can now speculate that it could be possible to take control of a masterless Path or revive its master. I speculate that when we finally reach strongest Emanators level of poweallies/etc. the enemies we will be facing before actual Aeons will be unique beings like that: fallen Aeons in the process of resurrection or people in the process of becoming a new Aeon of a Path without one.
Another interesting bit of lore about Ena is that while she was “consumed” by Xipe, her Path still lingers in the cosmos masterless. While it was known about Paths of other fallen Aeons it is interesting that even assimilation by a broader concept Aeon isn’t enough to completely eradicate the Path from the face of the cosmos.
Some other connections that I noticed about Sunday while rewatching 2.2 quest were surprising even for me. Name a planet where the ruler intentionally left their subordinates in ignorance about the truth about the events for the sole reason of protecting them? It’s Belobog with Bronya and Seele (I could talk about similarities and differences of Bronya and Sunday but that would make already long post even longer). And this is why Ena was able to persuade Qlipoth. Because Qlipoth shares with THEM that general theme of protection. Because their Paths partly overlap. Because Preservation is about keeping everything dangerous behind the walls (in this case dangerous information about Cocolia), and everything inside the walls is safe, protected, or you could say “in Order”.
Ⅴ
P.S. I feel like in this quest there is still so much more to discuss(and I could write EVEN MORE), but this long wall of text is already too out of character from me as a humble follower of Enigmata.

Demographics: Asian male, Competitive public high school, Michigan, not needing aid
Intended Majors: CS, CS+Advertising(UIUC)
SAT: 1550(780 M, 770 RW)
GPA: 3.88 UW
Coursework: 11 APS, 3 Honors, 2 Duel enrollment, 2 Ib
Awards:

1. AP Scholar
2. MHSAA scholar athlete 3x
3. Quizbowl 2x regional champion, Top 5 at states, national qualifier, top 100 performer in Michigan
4. Consistent top finisher in several competitive coding websites
5. Host state qualifier, regional finalist

Extracurriculars(not ranked in a particular order):

1. Quizbowl: Varsity captain(11,12), JV captain(10), Novice captain(9), OfficePresident(11/12). Created a application that maximizes our studying and practicing efficiency.
2. Swim: Competitive swimming for 8 years. JV(9,10) Varsity(11,12)
3. Recreation Club: Co-foundePresident(10,11,12)
4. Mental Health Club: Officer
5. Sales associate: highest rated employee for 20 weeks in a row

CS ECS:

1. CS personal Projects: created websites that have been used over 100,000 times.
   
2. Created an AI that judges Advertisements and gives responses based on 200,000+ ads.
   
3. Freelance: creates websites and advertisements for companies
   
4. Social media: have a social media account where I post videos about competitive coding as well as giving tips and tricks on how to get better. 20,000 followers and 500,000+ views
   
5. Competitive Coding/ learning different coding languages: compete in a ton of coding competitions online as well as having self taught 4 coding languages at a proficient level.
   

Essays/LOother:

1. LOR from AP CSA teacher 10/10
2. LOR from boss at job 10/10
3. LOR from counselor ?/10

Essays should be pretty good, I would consider myself as an above average writer.
Schools:
EA: UIUC(CS+advertising), Northeastern, USC, Georgia tech, Umich(in-state), UW-madison, UM-collegepark, Purdue, MSU(in-state)
Other: I am personally just scared about the fact that I'm only taking AP Calc AB as a senior, which I personally believe to be a little below average for someone pursuing a stem major. But I will have taken 3 CS college courses by the time I have graduated.

To be honest, I wasn't sure that the Advice sub would let me post this there so I'm posting it here because it's so fucked up. And it didn't seem right for Let's Not Meet, either. But I do need advice, because I feel I'm losing my fucking mind.
So I (30F) have always been very close to my cousin (30F), let's call her Angela. Because we're the same age, our parents (my mom and her father are siblings) went through all the same stages with us and as such, we were more or less raised like siblings due to how much time our families spent together.
We even had homes in the country in the same township, which is where I think this happened. And I can't really tell my family this because it will make me sound legitimately crazy. And some part of me even doubts this memory, but at the same time I know in my heart that it's true. It's a complicated feeling, and this memory was brought to light last week when my suspicion I've had for years was more or less confirmed.
One winter, sixteen years ago, when Angela and I were both fourteen, both of our families were at our cottages, a twenty minute drive from each other. Angela and her little brother (my cousin, let's call him James) parents (my aunt and uncle) were going skiing one morning, and I wanted to go too. So I spent the night at their cottage, like I often did when we all went up north.
Angela's bedroom had two single beds in it, and James' room was down the hall. The whole house was open concept, so the hall from Angela's room to James' room did not have walls, but rather was bordered by two railings over which you could see down into the main floor, the open concept living and dining rooms.
James is four years younger than us, and when he was 10, he was such a typical little boy/little brother, it's almost cartoonish to look back on. Like, I'm talking *constantly* bothering us, putting a stink bomb on a remote control car that he would sneak into our rooms, trying to read Angela's diary when we weren't in her bedroom, just all the stuff. But never anything cruel or out of the ordinary or sinister, just a massive handful.
The basement of James and Angela's cottage was filled with storage and old toys, and sometimes (on the rare occasion) that we'd willingly play with James, we'd all go down to the basement and try to freak each other out. Anyway, one of the toys in the basement was your typical Raggedy-Ann doll from the 60s or something. I think it belonged to my uncle when he was a kid and then Angela when she was a baby. Her name was Trilly. I forget who named it. Anyway, I have vague memories of playing with it when we were much younger and pretending it was our third cousin or our little daughter. But since then she'd sat in storage in the basement.
But, what great nightmare material! Right?! A creepy, limp, smiling doll. So the night I stayed over, before we went skiing in the morning, James, Angela and I were up to our playing in the basement, and I remember we tried to freak James out by pretending Trilly was alive or something like that. Whatever. Game over, we all had dinner with the parents, then watched a movie as a family and went to bed. James to his room and Angela and me to Angela's room.
Now this is the thing. Angela and I still joke about this night, and she remembers it just like I do, which is why I sort of wrote off my hypothesis until last week. That night, in the middle of the night, I started tossing and turning. I woke up and could tell that Angela was stirring as well. One of us said to the other, "are you awake?" and the other said "yes," and we realized that we both couldn't sleep or were woken up by the same thing or were both just feeling restless. But then, at the other end of her room, Trilly was sitting in the fucking desk chair.
I think it was Angela who pointed it out. We saw a shadow, thinking it was a person, freaked out, and then relaxed briefly when we saw it was just the doll. But then we got freaked out all over again and were like, "why the FUCK is this FUCKING doll in your room!?!?", murderously standing up and going over to it to pick it up and throw it in James' room and pound the living Christ out of him.
We turn on all the lights, turn on the hall light, stomp down the hall into his room and turn on his lights, and see he's not in his bed. We then go downstairs (my aunt and uncle's room was on the main floor), Trilly still in Angela's hands, and hear my aunt and James in the washroom. Turns out James had been sick for the last few hours and my aunt had been up all night with him as he was throwing up in the washroom. And when we saw the scene we immediately could tell that James had nothing to do with Trilly. Like, it was just one of those really believable situations where we could tell James truly had no idea what was going on. We even felt bad for him. And, to top it off, when we told him the story in the morning it scared him so much that he didn't go into the basement for like a year. Anyway, it just seemed really sincere.
So Angela and I went back up to her room and we were like, "are we *sure* we didn't bring this up here last night? Are we sure? We must have." Anyway, while we were really freaked, we figured that it was explainable. We knew the doll obviously didn't walk itself upstairs like it was some horror movie. But, because we were fourteen and all for the drama (and I remember us having the "better safe than sorry" mindset) we called her dog upstairs (Bella, a poorly behaved black poodle). We started playing tug-of-war with Bella, using Trilly as the toy, and eventually Bella ripped her to shreds.
Anyway, funny memory, making the dog rip up the doll, we laughed and thought we were tough and cool, then we went back to bed.
The next morning, instead of all of us going skiing, it was just Me, Angela, and my Uncle, because James stayed home with my aunt on account of his stomach flu. But when we woke up, Angela was acting weird. Nothing too noteable, just really bizarrely quiet as she moved around her room to get her clothes out of her drawers and get changed. She didn't, like, acknowledge me in her room. I said something like "morning" when she didn't acknowledge me, and she looked at me and then turned back to her drawers and kept getting changed.
And she was looking around weirdly, I remember that too. Almost like she'd misplaced something, but a little more dazed than that. Just moving strangely. Then she went downstairs without saying anything to me at all. I thought maybe she was just super groggy... but it still felt really weird.
When I went downstairs, she was standing at the island in the kitchen buttering toast that my uncle had put in for us. I distinctly remember walking up beside her and the toaster, pulling a piece of toast out of it, putting it on the plate that had been set out for me, and when I dipped the knife into the container of butter, Angela smacked my hand away, hard, and looked at me and snapped, "what are you doing? Don't take things that aren't yours". I was shocked. It honestly felt like being struck in the face. She'd never spoken to me like that before, and even though we were like siblings, I still felt that kind of mortifying embarrassment you feel when someone calls you out on misbehaving, even though I wasn't doing anything wrong; but it *was* her family's butter and bread? I don't know. That's what I remember thinking. But it was awkward and weird and I just said, "um, what?" and then she didn't say anything, just kept buttering her toast, and I mumbled some apology.
The three of us then drove to the ski hill and, I kid you not, Angela and I didn't speak the whole way there. I had no idea what was up, but I didn't want to ask with her dad in the car.
Then when we got to the ski hill, we went skiing just the two of us and on the chairlift during the first run I mustered up the courage to say "Hey, did I do something wrong? I feel like you're really mad at me or something". And she turned to look at me and was confused. Not friendly, not warm, not reassuring, but confused. It was almost as if I was a stranger and she looked at me as if to say, "sorry, who are you? why are you talking to me?"
And she responded in a formal way: "Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about". The distance in her voice was really eerie, and I started to think maybe this had to do with the doll incident the night before and either she was trying to extend the prank, and she was the one who had put the doll on the chair, OR she felt guilty that we ruined this family doll and she resented me for being a part of it. Anyway, when we got to the top of the hill, she skied down quickly and didn't wait for me to go back up again, and we ended up skiing separately.
I felt awkward and embarrassed like I'd done something wrong. I ended up skiing with my uncle who asked me what was up with us, and I just said I didn't know. Then after our day of skiing, he dropped me off at my family's cottage and continued on home with Angela.
For the rest of that whole school year (we were in ninth grade), Angela and I didn't really speak. It was really sad. We were like sisters before, but better because we weren't actually sisters, but cousins, and so we were like best friends that were related. Seriously, we were really close. And it really messed me up, I felt like she just ghosted me. I would text her and call her house but she was always "fine" or "with Jessica" (her best friend). I chalked it up to her just outgrowing me, and it really fucking sucked. But, to be honest, it was so jarring and such a stark shift that I was more confused than hurt. I talked to my mom about it and she explained to me how rough it can be to be a teenage girl.
But that following summer, we were up at our cottages again, and our family had a barbecue and invited over my aunt and uncle and Angela and James. I had seen Angela at family things a couple of times since and she would just kind of ignore me and spend the whole time texting, which is what I expected this time.
Sure enough, that's what happened for the first bit of the barbecue. But then when the food was ready, she came up beside me as we were dressing our hamburgers at the condiment table and said, "oh my god, remember that night we got Bella to ruin Trilly?" and I was so shocked by her friendly tone, by her acting as though she were picking up a conversation we just were having, that I just stared at her and said, "yeah, that was crazy". And she said, "yeah, so funny. Anyway, how've you been?" again, really different and formal. I almost couldn't get past how altered her tone was, like we'd never even met. In fact she seemed so sprightly and kind that I thought she was mocking me.
And our relationship since that barbecue carried on just like that. She started talking to me more, but I'd reference inside jokes or ways we used to be or things we used to do and she never really latched on to any of them. I was caught between thinking she'd outgrown me and thinking she was like embarrassed of our closeness before or something and was trying to move on. I talked to my mom about this, and again got the speech about how teenage girls can be really cruel/strange sometimes.
So until we were about 22, we were like that. Nice to each other, talking sometimes, not that close, and I learned to not try and act like we were all close or that we had been close. I talked to my friends about it too and they said it was normal for friendships to change like that. But something felt off about this. I started to honestly feel crazy for hanging on to this "before" memory of Angela so much.
Then when we were 22, we grew apart. This time, it was mutual and natural. I moved cities, and she got engaged and became a real estate agent and we just had nothing to talk about. It was gradual and I didn't notice it much. Which brings us to eight years later, just last week.
I was travelling in Iceland. I had to be there (very randomly) for a conference/workshop I was leading for work, and turned it into a vacation. Rented a car, decided I was going to drive across the island after the conference was over and stay on the east part and explore a bit.
Day four of my seven-day long road trip. It's mid-afternoon, I'm hungry. I've been driving for three hours and have come across no sign of civilization at all, and it was fifty miles to the next town. But then, voila! A little gas station/general store/cafe! Perfect!
Ah, fuck. I literally can't believe I'm writing this. It makes me sound fucking crazy. But here I go.
I park in the little three-car parking lot. I get out of my car, step onto the gravel, the sky is white, expansive, there are mountains everywhere around me, fields, sheep. The air is fresh. Seriously middle of nowhere. I walk up the wooden rickety steps and push open the door and hear the door chimes go. A man walks out from the back room and greets me, and the place is cute. There's a little handwritten menu above the cash register and I asked him in my pathetic Icelandic/English mix if I could have the gravlax toast. He's very friendly and kind and says yes, asks if I want a coffee, I say yes please, blah blah, he rings me up at the cash register, and I go and sit at the one table they have and wait for my food.
I look around - it's mostly a fishing supplies store with some general groceries. The man opens the door to the room from which he came, the kitchen I suppose, and says the order to the lady in the back who looks like she's doing some prep cooking. Immediately I stop. It's freaking Angela!!!! Or I thought it was.
Now, remember, I hadn't seen Angela in about eight years. Since her dad passed away when we were twenty-three, and because I'd moved cities, we just had no reason to really see each other especially after growing so far apart.
So, like, OH MY GOD, it's Angela! She's working at a random little general store in middle-of-nowhere Iceland! But wait, I thought. No. This is obviously not-fucking-Angela. Angela is a real estate agent in my hometown. I'd obviously know if she lived in Iceland lol. Right? I don't really use social media but the odd time I do, she'll pop up here and there. But I guess not enough for me to *confirm* she still lived in my hometown.
But anyway, she looked enough like Angela that I went right up to the cash register and rang the little bell and the guy came back out and when he opened the door I was able to get another look at her, and my heart skidded. A chill spread across my crown. It was one hundred percent Angela. Like, my full-on cousin. So, looking over the guys' shoulder, RIGHT AT ANGELA, I smile and say, "Angela!! Oh my god!!" and before she could respond, the door shut again.
And the guy at the cash smiled really big, a nice, friendly, smile and he looked surprised as well, and pointed back over his shoulder and then at me, as if to say, "you two know each other?!" which confirmed for me that her name was Angela, because he seemed really delighted at the coincidence. Expecting her to emerge from the kitchen, I walked around to behind the cash register (the invitation was implied by the guy) and he put his arm back to open the door for me, or for Angela, whom we both expected to be making her way over to me, too.
When he opened the door, she was head-down again, chopping vegetables. I walked through the door and said, "Angela? Angela!" smiling, thinking she hadn't seen me yet or realized who I was, all context considered. She looked up at me, and then quickly, as though avoiding my eyes, looked down. "Hey", she said, quietly, at the cutting board.
WHAT THE FUCK WAS GOING ON? Before I could ask anything, she said, "I'm really sorry, okay?"
What?
She repeated herself and then continued: "I'm really sorry okay? But we can't talk".
I actually, like, had no clue what was happening. I was looking into the eyes of my cousin whom I hadn't seen in forever in some random fucking shack in Iceland and she was acting skittish and afraid. I opened my mouth to protest and she said, "I need you to leave," then she called the guy's name and said something to him in Icelandic. She can speak Icelandic??!
The guy came in, his demeanour totally different. Almost like he was a bouncer. He gestured to my coffee and toast that were ready to go, took them in his hands and ushered me out of the kitchen and I could tell I no longer was welcome. Either I wasn't welcome or I was in danger, or both. It felt more like the former. And I don't think the guy had any idea what was going on, either. I think she must have said something to him like "I don't know this person, this person is crazy" or something. That's how he was acting toward me.
I got in my car, I drove five minutes down the road, and pulled over. I miraculously had service and I called my mom and told her everything. She kind of just laughed at me and was like "Many-Patient2894, that obviously wasn't Angela". And joked about me making some poor Icelandic woman feel extremely weird. But based off the guy's reaction when I said her name, her name was Angela, and the way she spoke to me and said sorry and said we couldn't talk, like, she knew me too. I told my mom all of this and I sounded fucking crazy and she just was basically like, "Haha, yeah, weird". I think she thinks I was making up the part about the apology.
I told all of my friends this, when I was still in Iceland, and they all reacted like my mom did. At this point, I had four days left in the country, and I kept wanting to return to the cafe/general store. But I didn't. I started to think maybe the woman thought I was someone else. But then I kept coming back to, but wait, this person was Angela. Her name, her body, her face, like I just didn't know what to do.
This brings me to two days ago, the day before yesterday, when I returned to Canada, where I live. It's eight o'clock in the morning and I'm on my way to work. In my car. Just picked up a coffee. Exhausted. Not thinking about Angela at all. Thinking about my laundry, my bills, what I'm going to make for dinner. The traffic is bad and it's a miserable day outside.
My phone dings. It's a random number. The text reads: "Hey! It's Angela! How was your trip?"
Haven't heard from her in eight years (except for our run-in in Iceland, if indeed it was one). No "how have you been??", no "I miss you!!" no "long time no talk/see!". I also hadn't posted anything about my trip on social media. Unless you were a friend of mine, you didn't know I was there.
I immediately call my mom, who follows Angela on Instagram, and ask her to look at her profile. Sure enough, Angela (not at all to my mother's surprise), is posting stories of the bachelorette party she's at in Miami. She's, like, not at all in Iceland.
I have no idea what's going on. And the way Angela/the woman spoke to me in the cafe had the cadence and softness that Angela had, and in my memory, lost, starting the morning of the skiing after the incident with Trilly and the dog. For some reason I'm fully back there in my memory now, realizing that that was the first morning of "the new Angela", the one that seemed to have no emotional memory of me at all. Like, the Iceland Angela seemed more like the "before" Angela.
I haven't replied to the text. I have no idea if it was bachelorette party Miami Angela or Iceland Angela that sent me the message, the area code is from neither Angela's hometown or Iceland.
I need advice, I have no idea what to do or who to talk to. Do I reply to the text? What do I say? I feel like the real Angela is fucking trapped in Iceland or something and has been for a long time. Or I don't even know. I have no idea what to do.

Trigger warning - religious differences
I always bragged about how awesome my extended family was. NO family is perfect, but I heard horror stories and always counted my blessings that I had strong ties with my Aunt and uncles since I was raised an only child. That was until a few months ago when my last living Aunt, whom I considered a second mom, shattered me.
Ok, some backstory here. My aunt is a Jehovah’s Witness. Now before you get all judgy, I have always loved her, my uncle and her son with all of my heart. I still do. I respect that they have found faith and live by this code on the daily. I have met many people from their congregation and loved them all (ok, a couple of exceptions). I also appreciate the community they have and love they all show each other. If it weren’t for the religion itself, I would have converted.
I, however, am pagan and have always been since I was about 5 (even the first book I signed out from the school’s library was about witchcraft). Not raised that way, but always found spiritual comfort in nature and the natural world. I have a very strong connection and dedication to my Powers That Be and work every day to help the world be a better place. My Aunt did not know my religion until about 7 years ago. That being said, she and I would have very philosophical conversations when we hung out together. Even at the age of 8, I would listen to her preach to me and ask questions to which she never had answers. I remember her telling me how only 144,000 people would be allowed in heaven and didn’t I think that would be wonderful knowing that our whole family could be together again after we died. We’d all be in heaven if we were all Jehova;s witnesses. I had gone with her many times to do field service (door to door) and asked her why they do that if there’s only a certain number of people allowed. Didn’t that lessen her chances of getting in because I’m sure there were many people more deserving than myself. How did she know for sure she’d be one of the ones to get in and was that fair to keep bringing people into the religion when all the spaces were probably already filled up?
At 8 years old, I had many questions and was just trying to figure these things out. Since she was an adult, I figured she had the answers. My questions were not with malice, just for a want of better understanding. When she didn’t have the answers, I'd ask my mother and grandmother. While they were extremely amused, they said they never understood either. They never said anything bad about her or her attempts to get them to convert, just allowed me to explore religion and spirituality as I wished so I could make my own decision of what was right for me.
Once I was an adult, I avoided talking to her about religion, but found that if I didn’t ask questions and just let her talk, it made her happy. I know she’s a good person at heart and that’s all that matters. After my Mom passed, my aunt and I talked almost every week. I loved talking to her and she became even more like a mom to me. She gave me encouragement and we supported each other through health and emotional crises. I’d make it a point to try and visit at least once a year for a few days so she could visit with my daughter and I. We’d always do lunch with her friends and I loved it. I fell in love with some of the people in her congregation and wished we could live closer to hang out more. I, however, never wavered on my spiritual beliefs, but I have never cared about the religion, race, or sexuality of anyone. If we got along, we were friends and that was that.
My aunt and I had come to an understanding that I would not convert and that we would love and respect each other regardless. Religious talk was off the table for the most part until both of my uncles (my aunt’s two brothers) passed and she had a very hard time dealing with it. She was the last surviving sibling and she was sinking into a depression. I’d talk to her at length and listen to her as she mourned the fact that she would never have contact with them (and my mom) in heaven because they never converted. When she asked me what I believed, I told her that I believed that the soul lived on after the body died and that I believed in reincarnation. I explained my beliefs were closer to hindu and buddhism than christianity (so she had context). We had very long talks and she expressed that she respected my views and actually found comfort in talking with me.
That was until my daughter and I opened our store about 3 years ago. It’s a metaphysical shop and we have crystals, teas, gifts, jewelry, candles and more (about 10% strict;y pagan). My aunt was happy for us until it dawned on her that we might sell pagan stuff. I told her what we sold and she asked me if I was a witch. I replied that I suppose that was one way to describe me, but, again, I considered myself spiritual and that I followed a path closer to buddhism, hinduism, native american. I sent a couple of pictures of the jewelry that we made and she said when we came down, we should bring the jewelry making.
We did, I brought down our best crystals to wrap and bracelet materials and my daughter and I made her a necklace with a very expensive stone (A $200 piece). She brought her friends over and they picked out crystals that they wanted, made bracelets and such. We had fun and I was happy to do it, though I wasn’t expecting people that I had never met before. Still, we had fun. My daughter and I also brought her a basket with local items from our hometown, (Raw honey, handmade stoneware mugs, cutting board, herbal tea and some other items made by us as well) She was thrilled. My aunt and uncle had taken a couple of bad falls a few months before and so my daughter and I made them hand carved cedar walking sticks as well because we knew they went for regular walks and thought it would help their balance. It felt amazing to lavish expensive and heartfelt gifts on them as I has struggled so long with money. I was finally in a place that I could do it. To say the gifts probably totalled in excess of 1K is on the low side, but I was still happy to do it.
Besides the fact that they tried converting my daughter when I wasn’t around, it was a lovely visit. The only problem I had was with a new person my aunt introduced us to. This woman, we’ll call her Dee, ignored me and only talked to my daughter. She was my age if not older, but conversed with my daughter, 17, like I wasn’t there. They traded contact info and Dee insisted that they keep in touch while my daughter was in college. Dee said she was going to keep an eye on her. I thought that was odd, but I did enjoy the feeling of having an extended family sort of since I actually had no family besides my Aunt.
Let’s jump forward to the following year and we were struggling financially. Not horrible, but unable to lavish the gifts that we did the year before. Instead, I created a beautiful aromatherapy candle, some delicious herbal teas and we found a couple of very rare antique tea cups that had amazing value to them (about $100 a piece). We made a basket for her and I decided we would cook for them. (gluten free, soy free, dairy free etc). Our visit went so well, it was great to see them. We just enjoyed hanging out with them and talking. They loved the meal we made for them and the dairy free organic chocolate I made. Everything was great until the day we were leaving. Dee showed up and again ignored me, talked to my daughter and chastised her for getting a pet snake as that was an animal associated with the devil. My daughter is one to push the envelope a bit and said how she wanted to get a tattoo as well, one of a snake. Both my aunt and Dee were shocked and said she should never get a tattoo.. Again related to the devil, I went to the bathroom as I was not involved in the conversation and knew my daughter could hold her own. Little do they know that my daughter is also trans. I told her not to say anything to them just yet. I came back to them talking about how college was going and I thought my aunt and Dee would faint when she said her college roommate was male. She quickly explained that it was fine because he was gay and how awesome he was (he is btw). She quickly realized what I meant when she saw their reaction to him being gay. It wasn’t that she was living with a boy, it was that he was gay and “why did he choose to be gay.” I tried redirecting the conversation a couple of times, but they ignored me.
They finally let it go, but just after Dee left, we were getting ready to depart as well. My aunt returned the basket I made for her (minus the expensive tea cups). She said she could not accept them as they were touched by the devil. Shocked, I asked what she meant. She said that because they came from my store, they carried Satan's influence and she could not have them in our home. Truthfully, I explained that I made those items for her and that the only things that came from the store were the teacups. She was confused why I had gotten upset. When I explained that I gave her a gift and if she didn’t want it, she could regift it or throw it away. That gift came from my heart with all the love I have for her and that I didn't need to know her opinions about the gifts because It insinuated I, myself, was evil and it was extremely hurtful. She basically continued on insisting that I was just not aware of how much Satan had a hold of me. All I could do was tell her how much I loved her and leave.
I didn’t take her calls and cried about this for over a month. I finally felt strong enough to talk to her and again she insisted that because those items touched my hands, they were influenced by satan and she wished I could understand how they just can’t have that influence in their home. Frustrated, I asked how she could shop at grocery stores or buy anything from department stores because she can’t guarantee that those items didn’t touch hands that were influenced by satan. Also , I asked her how they could have eaten the food I prepared for them and why did they even invite me into their home to begin with if that’s the way she felt about me. She suddenly needed to go.
We talked a few times since then but it always came back to religion. At one point I asked her again why she would even invite us to her home if she felt that way. Her response was to save my daughter. The pain and heartache she has inflicted is immense, but I cannot bring myself to argue the point because I’m afraid if I make my point to her, it will break her. She’s in her 80’s and I believe has the beginnings of dementia. Her religion brings her comfort and I don’t want to say anything that might make her doubt her religion at her advanced age.
I’ve decided it is probably best for both of our mental health to stop all contact with her( with the exception of sending cards telling them how much I love them) even though I’ve always seen her as a second mom. AITA for making this decision and not trying to work things out with her or allow her to believe that I still might convert?
*** Please understand this is not a bash on any religion. Everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion they wish. That includes me, so if you feel the need to bash them or me for our spiritual choices, you can move along ***
I have never felt like I needed to hide any part of me from my friends, family, and the public in general. Not until now. Buckle up, this is a bumpy ride.
I've always been kind hearted, almost to a flaw. I took care of my grandmother, my step-dad, my mom and helped with a family friend during long term and terminal illnesses. I had my daughter and, without her father's help, raised her on my own with very little to no support. I helped friends with their farm who left me homeless in the end because I want interested in an extramarital affair. I lost my home and all that I loved including my husband because he lied to me and never paid it mortgage while I was recovering from an illness. In short, I have had a tough life, but it has never made me turn my back on anyone who needed help or in difficult family when they were ignored by the others. That's just some background before I tell you this situation.
Three years ago, after a bout of covid, my daughter was suicidal. She had been in the top three of her HS class and yet at that point almost failed her junior year. Not knowing if she would have the emotional strength to face college and adulting in general, I set up a plan B for her. I started a store in her name and that way she'd have something at least to fall back on if she was unable to function in the m-f 9 to 5 world. We started slow by doing craft fairs, seeking crystals, candles, jewelry, and gifts. We were kicked out of one because the person running it assumed we were witches. She was not wrong exactly as we identified as pagan, but we lived our life closest to the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, not traditional wicca. These were people who knew us for years and were considered acquaintances if not friends.
Our business flourished and we ended up opening our brick and mortar that fall after remodeling our garage/ barn and turning it into a store front. Even though I run it for my daughter, it is hers and we work together to keep it going.
In the past few years I've lost my mom, and two uncles. I have no family besides my mother's sister and her husband which we were pretty close. My aunt knew that I was pagan and had tried recruiting me into her religion since I was 5. Even at that tender age her religion never made sense and I would ask her questions to which she never had answers. I accepted her and respected her and her religion even though I didn't agree. I loved the people she introduced me to that were in her church and I always got along with them. That is until we visited the year after we started our store. My aunt was thrilled about us bringing crystals down and making jewelry with her. We met a new friend of hers (middle aged woman) who ignored me completely and oozed affection on my daughter. She got my daughter's contact info and contacted her frequently. Trying to convert and ”save” her. My daughter wasn't having it as even though she was in a delicate state, she is very level headed and strong willed.
This year we visited and we brought herbal tea, candies, and rare vintage tea cups for my aunt. The day we were leaving, she handed back everything but the vintage tea cups and told me she couldn't accept them because they were touched by Satan (aka made by my hands). To say I was devastated is an understatement. This woman was always like a second mom to me and we had grown closer after my mom passed away. It was a 20 hour drive home and I cried most of the way. I cried for weeks after a well. Thinking of it now still brings me tears. As she was telling me that Satan had a hold on me and that she was trying to save me, all I did was remind her how much I loved her and my uncle. Every time since then that we have talked, she says the same thing, but now she told me I was a lost cause. I feel like trying to stay in touch is detrimental to her mental health ( and my own). I don't want to give up or abandon the last of my family, but I can't talk to her and endure the endless insinuations that I'm evil because I don't believe in her religion. She took a bad fall and broke her arm. The last time we spoke, she talked as if it was my fault for bringing the devil into her home.
While I could usually brush this off as delusional ranting, it hits hard because the same day she fell, my dad died. I know the Powers That Be only give as much as we can handle, I just wish they didn't have so much faith in me.
They are in their 80s. I know in all the pieces of my broken heart that they'll never be able to accept my daughter and I unless we change religions and it has crossed my mind just to say we have to put her at ease, but I can't lie like that to them and we cannot betray ourselves like that either. By

Hi,
Here's what I can offer for trades. CIB unless noted otherwise. List may get updated after initial posting.

Have

PS1
Breath of Fire 3	Manual damaged. Missing first page. Disc plays okay.
Breath of Fire 4
Parasite Eve	Small crack in the case
Tactics Ogre
Dragon Warrior 7
Legend of Legaia
Metal Gear Solid	missing manual
Suikoden	small rip in first page of manual
Wild Arms 2	loose disc only
Final Fantasy Tactics
Revelations: Persona	box only
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Gran Turismo	Brand new. Plastic wrap is gone but seal at the top is still intact.
A bug's life
Black Dawn
Formula1 98
Small soldiers
The next tetris
Star wars: Episode 1 The phantom menace
Twisted metal III
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
Apocalypse
Playstation Underground Jampack
NHL FaceOff 99
NFL Xtreme
NFL GameDay 2001	Sealed. Small rip in the plastic wrap
NFL GameDay 2000
MLB 2000
3Xtreme
Contender
Jampack Summer 99
Jampack Winter 98
Interactive CD Sampler Pack Volume 3
Spyro
Bust A Groove

​

PS2
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 [Limited Edition]	outer box showing some wear
.Hack Quarantine	Missing anime DVD, Case may not be original
Front mission 4
Katamari Damacy
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4
Suikoden 3
Final Fantasy XII Limited Edition (steelbook)
Xenosaga Episode 1
Xenosaga Episode 3
Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero Metallica
Guitar Hero III Legend of Rock
Rockband AC/DC Track Pack
Grandia II
Grandia III
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Kingdom Hearts	GH
Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3

​

PSP
Untold Legends Brotherhood Of The Blade
Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Legend Of Heroes III Song Of The Ocean	loose umd only
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories	GH
Robots	UMD Movie

​

Vita
Killzone Mercenary	loose

​

PS3
Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection [Artbook Bundle]	Sealed with artbook
Dante's Inferno Divine Edition	with slipcover, missing manual
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend
Batman: Arkham City
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Disney Infinity starter pack	Sealed
Record of Agarest War 2	Sealed, One corner of box is dinged
Dead Island Riptide [Rigor Mortis Edition]	Sealed
Dead Space 3 Dev-team Edition	Sealed, 4004/5000
Battlefield 3
Battlefield 4
Far Cry 2
Far Cry 4
Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010
Heavy Fire: Afghanistan
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Little Big Planet Karting
Batman: Arkham Asylum - GoTY edition
Medal of Honor: Warfighter
Need for Speed: The Run LE
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit LE
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit	loose, GH
Need for Speed: Rivals	missing manual
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
Duke Nukem Forever
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes	GH
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens	loose
Destiny
Lost Planet 3	Sealed
God of War Collection	GH
Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli
Dead Space
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Dead Island
Batman: Arkham City
Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend
Blur
Prototype 2 Blackwatch Collector's Edition	Sealed

​

PS4
Fallout 4 Pipboy edition	Sealed
Elder Scrolls Online Tamriel Unlimited Imperial Edition	Sealed
Wolfenstein II: The new Colossus Collector's Edition	Sealed
Final fantasy vii remake
Final fantasy vii remake deluxe edition	Sealed
Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars	digital code
Kingdom Hearts All-in-one	sealed
Fifa 14
Battlefield 4
INSIDE / LIMBO double pack
WWE 2K15 Hulkamania Edition	sealed
Dying Light
Fallout 4
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
Maid of Sker	Sealed, PEGI
NBA 2K19
Dynasty Warrior 7 Empires	Chinese version
R-Type Final 2 Inaugural edition	Sealed
Transformers: Rise Of The Dark Spark
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition

​

PS5
Tales of Arise	Sealed
Elden Ring preorder code x3	Willing to throw this in free with any trade
Elden Ring with steelbook bundle	Bundle seems to be Bestbuy Canada exclusive
Scarlet Nexus	Sealed
Evil Dead	digital code
Horizon Forbidden West Collector's Edition	Sealed
Spider-man 2	digital code

​

Xbox
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines	gamestop sticker on manual

​

Xbox360
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Fallout 3
Halo 4 LE	Sealed
Lost Odyssey
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Otomedius Excellent

​

GameCube
Resident Evil
Donkey Konga 2	Sealed

​

Wii
Super Mario All-Stars: 25th Anniversary Edition	Sealed
The Last Story LE
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor	Sealed

​

Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna the Golden Country	Sealed
Xenoblade Chronicles 3	Sealed
Metroid Dread Special Edition	Sealed
Shin Megami Tensei V Fall of Men Premium Edition	Sealed
Hoa	Sealed
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Premium Edition	Sealed
Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 [Deluxe Edition]	Sealed
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative Collectors Edition	Sealed
Legend of Zelda the tears of the kingdom Collector's edition	Sealed
Fire Emblem Engage Divine Edition	Sealed

​

GBA
Platinum GBA SP	loose
Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage	loose
Avatar: The Last Airbender	loose
SpongeBob SquarePants Movie	loose
American Dragon Jake Long Rise Of The Huntsclan	loose
Ty The Tasmanian Tiger 3	loose
Pokemon LeafGreen	loose
Pokemon Sapphire	loose, dry battery replaced
Chronicles Of Narnia Lion Witch And The Wardrobe	loose
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3	loose
Tales of Phantasia	loose
Shining Soul 2	loose
Kirby and the Amazing Mirror	loose
Kirby Nightmare in Dreamland	loose

​

DS
Coral Pink DS Lite	Excellent cosmetic condition, charger included
White DSi	no charger, stylus
TMNT
Lego Harry Potter Year 1-4
Phantasy Star 0	missing manual
Flash Focus
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia	loose
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume	loose
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light	loose
Pokemon HeartGold	loose, small damage on label
Pokemon HeartGold	big box with pokewalker
Pokemon SoulSilver	box only
Pokemon Diamond
Pokemon Diamond	loose
Pokemon Platinum	loose
Pokemon Black
Pokemon Black	missing manual
Pokemon Black	box only
Hoppie	no manual, some water damage in cover arts
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Metroid Prime: Hunters - First Hunt	loose
Diddy Kong Racing
Fossil Fighters
Professor Layton And The Curious Village
Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney	loose

​

3DS
3DS XL Black+Red	CIB, Cave Story digital installed
New 3DS XL Galaxy	loose. Charger included. Missing stylus, Dual IPS screen
Pokemon X
Rune Factory 4
Bravely Second: End Layer	Warning booklet missing
Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance LE	Missing AR cards
Pokemon Sun	loose
Pokemon Ultra Sun
Pokemon X	loose, have 2
Kirby Triple Deluxe	loose
LEGO Star Wars The Force Awakens	Case in rough shape. Missing manual
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond The Myth [Launch Edition]	sealed
Sonic: Lost World
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart 7
Kirby: Triple Deluxe	Nintendo Selects
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D	Nintendo Selects
Tales of the Abyss	sealed
Fantasy Life

​

Amiibo (all SSB except noted otherwise)	All sealed in original box
Peach (Super Mario)	025W1
Yoshi (Super Mario)	524W2
Mario	434W2
Bowser	464S1
Diddy Kong	424S1
Luigi	434S1
Pikachu	474W2
Squirtle	279W5
Ivysaur	299W5
Snake	2559G1
Sonic	494W2
Peach	444W3
Link (Link's awakening)	2079G1
Link	524S1
Link (Majora's mask)	187S1

​

Guides
Tales of Vesperia	BradyGames
Dark Souls	FuturePress, Sealed
Dark Souls II CE	FuturePress, Sealed
Dragon Warrior VII	Prima
Breath of Fire IV	Prima
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch	Prima, Hard Cover
Wild Arms 4	Prima
God of War III	BradyGames
Resident Evil 6	BradyGames, Hard Cover, Sealed
Legend of Zelda Collector's Box Set	Prima, sealed

​

Manuals
https://imgur.com/a/DLa5yM4	Too many to list. Some 360/PS3 ones may be in French. Please ask. Harvest Moon (GC) is traded.

​

Steelbooks	G1 size unless noted. No games included.
Assassin's Creed 3	in shrink wrap
Assassin's Creed Collection
Batman Arkham City Armored Edition
Batman Arkham City	G2
Call of Duty Black Ops II
Dead Space 3	in shrink wrap
Devil May Cry	G2
Dishonored
Duke Nukem Forever	in shrink wrap
Epic Mickey 2
Farcry 3	in shrink wrap
FF XIII Lightning Returns	in shrink wrap
Hitman Absolution
Injustice Gods Among Us
Medal of Honor Warfighter	G2
New Super Mario Bros U
NHL 12
Prototype 2	in shrink wrap
Sleeping Dogs
Thief
World of Warcraft Mist of Pandara

​

Misc
FF X Play Arts Tidus	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
FF X Play Arts Yuna	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
FF X Play Arts Auron	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Sephiroth	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Vincent	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Cloud with Fenrir	Still in original box, never displayed out of box
Steer 'n win jr racing wheel/pedal	compatible with PS1/N64
Diablo III Collector's Edition PC	Sealed
Diablo III Reaper of Souls Collector's Edition PC	Sealed
Homeworld Collector's Edition PC	Sealed

Want:

Mostly interested in JRPGs and horrors. Working design, Enix, Falcom, NIS, Atlus, etc. Also looking for many turbo/turbo CD games. Must be CIB unless noted otherwise.
​

PS1
Adventures of Lomax
Deception III: Dark Delusion
Echo Night
Kartia
King's Field (Long box)
King's Field II
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Koudelka
Misadventures of Tron Bonne
RayCrisis: Series Termination
RayStorm
Shadow Tower
Tail Concerto
Thunder Force V
Torneko: The Last Hope
Resident evil survivor

​

PS2
Echo Night: Beyond
Forever Kingdom
Haunting Ground
ObsCure
Shadow Heart
Silent Hill 2 (Greatest Hits)
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Tsugunai: Atonement

​

PS4
Atelier Ryza LE
Atelier Sophie LE
Tales of Berseria CE

​

PS5
The Last of us Part 1 Firefly edition (sealed)
The Last of us Part 2 WLF edition (sealed)

​

Vita
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Brith 1 LE

​

GBC
Dragon Warrior Monsters
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi's Journey
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure
Dragon Warrior I & II
Lufia: The Legend Returns
Revelations: The Demon Slayer

​

GBA
DemiKids: Dark/Light Version
Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
Lufia: The Ruins of Lore
Lunar Legend
Summon Night: Swordcraft Story
Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2

​

GameCube
Star Fox: Assault	Manual only
Jet Black GameCube box and cardboard inserts
Indigo wired OEM controller	very low want

​

Switch
Dragon quest xi	sealed preferred

​

DS
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow
Commando: Steel Disaster
Dragon Quest V
Dragon Quest IV	Box and manual only
Etrian Odyssey
Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja
Lufia: Curse of the Sinitrals
Lunar: Dragon Song	Manual only
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Sands of Destruction
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga Endless Frontier

​

3DS
Corpse Party: Back to School Edition
Dragon Quest VIII
Etrian Mystery Dungeon (Launch soundtrack bundle preferred)
Etrian Odyssey Nexus (launch edition)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows Of Valentia Limited Edition
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology (launch edition)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (with soundtrack)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker (launch edition)
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse Launch Edition

​

Others
Turbografx-16 Console	CIB preferred
Turbografx-16 and Turbo CD games	CIB preferred. Almost everything except sports games will be considered. Big priority now
Dragon Quest Slime controller for Switch
All Uncharted Waters games (SNES and Genesis, CIB)

Notes.

• Prefer to trade within Canada, but will consider cross border too if offers are attractive. I'm okay with conus (with some exceptions).
• Will provide pics upon request.
• I have not listed everything in haves/wants. I will gladly check your list and work something out.

Hello.
I would like to put the qemu / debian vm that I've created in the background early in the FreeBSD bootloader process and forget it,but I'm having some troubles. The Debian 12 vm that I need should only run a little script. It doesn't even need to run xorg and one desktop environment. This is the script that it should run as soon as the user "marietto" reached the prompt and it has automatically authenticated :
function jumpto { label=$1
cmd=$(sed -n "/$label:/{:a;n;p;ba};" $0 grep -v ':$')
eval "$cmd"
exit }
start=${1:-"start"}
jumpto $start
start:
warp-cli disconnect
OLD_IP="$(curl -s api.ipify.org)"
sudo iptables -A POSTROUTING -t nat -s 192.168.1.5 -j
MASQUERADE
warp-cli connect
NEW_IP="$(curl -s api.ipify.org)"
echo Connected to Cloudflare Warp...echo OLD IP is $OLD_IP ,
NEW IP is $NEW_IP
mid :
if [ "$OLD_IP = $NEW_IP ]
then
echo OLD IP is $OLD_IP , NEW IP is $NEW_IP : it does not work
anymore,reconnecting...
sleep 10
jump foo
else
echo OLD IP is $OLD_IP , NEW IP is $NEW_IP : it still works.
sleep 10
fi
jumpto mid
foo:
warp-cli disconnect
OLD_IP="$(curl -s api.ipify.org)"
warp-cli connect
NEW_IP="$(curl -s api.ipify.org)"echo OLD IP is $OLD_IP ,
NEW IP is $NEW_IP : it works again.
jumpto mid
I tried in several ways to put the vm in background or better...to hide it between the processes,but every method used failed. So,please,advice.
This is what I tried :
nohup /uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G \
-vga std -drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw \
-rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
-device usb-tablet -device usb-kbd -smbios type=2 \
-nodefaults \
-netdev tap,id=mynet0,ifname=tap20,script=no,downscript=no \
-device e1000,netdev=mynet0,mac=52:55:00:d1:55:01
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file=/uslocal/share/
edk2-qemu/QEMU_UEFI_CODE-x86_64.fd \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file=/uslocal/share/edk2-qemu/
QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd/dev/null 2>&1 &
if test -f nohup.out; then rm -r nohup.out
fi
2)
/uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G -nographic \
-drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw \
-rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
-device usb-tablet -device usb-kbd -smbios type=2 \
-nodefaults \
-netdev tap,id=mynet0,ifname=tap20,script=no,downscript=no \
-device e1000,netdev=mynet0,mac=52:55:00:d1:55:01 \
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file=/uslocal/share/
edk2-qemu/QEMU_UEFI_CODE-x86_64.fd \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file=/uslocal/share/edk2-qemu/
QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd
3)
/uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G
-display curses \
-drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw \
-rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
-device usb-tablet -device usb-kbd -smbios type=2 \
-nodefaults \
-netdev tap,id=mynet0,ifname=tap20,script=no,downscript=no \
-device e1000,netdev=mynet0,mac=52:55:00:d1:55:01 \
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file=/uslocal/share/
edk2-qemu/QEMU_UEFI_CODE-x86_64.fd \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file=/uslocal/share/edk2-qemu/
QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd
4)
nohup /uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G -nographic \
-drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw \
-rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
-device usb-tablet -device usb-kbd -smbios type=2 \
-nodefaults \
-netdev tap,id=mynet0,ifname=tap20,script=no,downscript=no \
-device e1000,netdev=mynet0,mac=52:55:00:d1:55:01 \
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file=/uslocal/share/
edk2-qemu/QEMU_UEFI_CODE-x86_64.fd \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file=/uslocal/share/edk2-qemu/
QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd/dev/null 2>&1 &
if test -f nohup.out; then rm -r nohup.out
fi
5)
nohup /uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G
-display curses \
-drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw \
-rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
-device usb-tablet -device usb-kbd -smbios type=2 \
-nodefaults \
-netdev tap,id=mynet0,ifname=tap20,script=no,downscript=no \
-device e1000,netdev=mynet0,mac=52:55:00:d1:55:01 \
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file=/uslocal/share/
edk2-qemu/QEMU_UEFI_CODE-x86_64.fd \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file=/uslocal/share/edk2-qemu/
QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd/dev/null 2>&1 &
if test -f nohup.out; then rm -r nohup.out
fi
6)
I've used the parameter -daemonize. It does not work at all :
https://preview.redd.it/s4o2zxp9ie0d1.png?width=1649&format=png&auto=webp&s=f0cea547d9f78dba5f840f2706d916b4ef622194
I see 2 problems :
1) I don't want to see the little qemu monitor on the top left of the screen
2) it does not ping.
The final result is always the same : when I ping the IP address assigned to the vm,it doesn't. But it works when I boot the vm in this way :
/uslocal/bin/qemu-system-x86_64 -machine q35 \
-cpu kvm64,hv_relaxed,hv_time,hv_synic -m 1G -vga std \
-drive file=Debian-warp.img,format=raw -rtc base=localtime \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pcie.0,addr=0x3 \
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QEMU_UEFI_VARS-x86_64.fd

There have been an increasing number of juniors visiting this sub asking for advice about writing essays. Below are some tips and advice for making your essay stand out as excellent. Feel free to ask questions because I will answer every single question in the comments.
I know from experience that many of you are struggling to identify a good topic for your essay. Conventional wisdom says to start by brainstorming a list of potential topics, and chances are, you have already started a mental list of ideas. You might think you only have a few choices for topics, based on your activities or experiences, or essay examples you read, or the rough draft you already started (or worse, that GPT started...). I advise, however, that you put down your list of topics and back away from it. Forget that exists for a moment. Seriously - thinking about this initial list tethers you to certain ideas that might not actually be your best options.
Now you can begin brainstorming with a clean slate.
Start with thinking about what you want to show in your entire application, not just one essay. Every single component in your app has one purpose – to tell more about YOU. Filling out the rest of the application by rote and focusing solely on the essay is short-sighted and will leave so much potential untapped in your application.

It's About You. Tell Your Story - And Be The Protagonist

An admissions officer’s goal is to understand you fully, in the context of your background and the rest of the applicant pool. They will begin this with assessing your academic abilities and potential. Then they will evaluate how you will fit into the student body they’re trying to curate. All of this can be somewhat broad and diverse and touch on several institutional goals. But they will dig deep to find out what each applicant is like, what your core values and motivations are, what kind of student you will be, how you will contribute to the vibrant and intellectual campus community they’re building, etc.
Your goal with essay brainstorming is to ascertain how to powerfully tell your story in a manner that will fit these criteria. The entirety of your application (again, not just one essay) aims to showcase your abilities, qualifications, and uncommon attributes as a person in a positive way. Before you begin outlining or writing your application, you must determine what is unique about you that will stand out to an admissions panel. All students are truly unique. Not one other student has the same combination of life experiences, personality, passions, or goals as you do. Your job in your application is to frame your unique personal attributes in a positive and compelling way. How will you fit on campus? What personal qualities, strengths, core values, talents, or different perspectives do you bring to the table? What stories, deeper motivations/beliefs, or formative experiences can you use to illustrate all of this?
It is always helpful to start with some soul-searching or self-examination. You might not immediately know what you want to share about yourself. It’s not a simple task to decide how to summarize your whole life and being in a powerful and eloquent way on your application. Introspection prior to starting your application takes additional time and effort rather than jumping straight into your first draft. But it is also a valuable method to start writing a winning application that stands out from the stack.
You'll see the advice everywhere that all essay prompts are really about the same thing - you. The goal of each essay then is to showcase who you are, what matters to you, and how you think. I guarantee if you're on this sub enough, you'll hear the advice to "show, don't tell" when writing about yourself. But what does this mean really, and how do you do it well? How do you even get started on an essay that does this?

Introspection Questions

It’s often easiest to start thinking in terms of superlatives, especially those related to personal insights -- what are the most meaningful things about you, and what do you value the most? Here is a list of questions to help you brainstorm broadly before you narrow down your focus for writing:

• What are your interests?
  
• What sparks your curiosity?
  
• About what topics do you enjoy reading?
  
• With whom do you enjoy spending time? Who has impacted your life the most?
  
• Reflect upon “superlatives” in your life. What moments were most memorable, formative, enlightening, enjoyable, or valuable? What physical possessions, experiences, dreams, or lessons could make your superlatives list?
  
• Stop and think about what things, people, or circumstances in your life are really unique, fascinating, or outlandish. Are there any that really have a lot of "cultural flavor" (whatever your culture is)?
  

I have a free introspection worksheet with over 100 questions like this designed to help you find ideas worth exploring in your essays. You can find it on the A2C Discord or download it directly here.

Find Your Story And Arc

Think of a small anecdote or story from your life that you could share that serves as a microcosm of who you are and what is important to you. It will massively help you narrow this down and find a gem of a story if you first start by thinking about your application arc or theme. This is the one-phrase summary of your entire application. It could be "brilliant entrepreneur who started her own successful business" or "talented athlete who wants to study economics and finance as they pertain to sports", or even "avid baker whose hobby sparked an interest in chemistry". It doesn't have to be related to your intended major, but it can help your arc be stronger and clearer if it is.
Once you have an arc determined and a story to share, think about what you want that story to say about you. This is where it can help to think of this as something you would share on a date - what impression does it make about you to the reader? Once you know this, start showing, not telling this attribute of yourself through your story. For example, instead of saying that you're compassionate toward others, you show an example of a time you were compassionate, then elaborate on why, and what it means to you.

Essay Brainstorming Techniques

If you are having trouble finding a story, or simply have writer’s block once you have picked your topic, here are some ideas to get your juices flowing:

• Stream of consciousness writing -- Start writing whatever is in your head, and don’t stop for 30 minutes. You probably won’t use what you just wrote for your essay, but it will help you find a starting point.
  
• Journaling -- Answer the prompt as if you were writing in a journal. This will get you in the habit of writing about yourself and establish comfort with the concept. It will also take you to a new level of introspection and self-awareness.
  
• Twitter X style -- Write several rapid-fire responses to the prompt in 280 characters or less. Choose an idea from these responses to expound upon in your essay.
  
• Read each essay prompt, then go through your introspection worksheet responses and connect the stories and insights to one or more of the prompts. Some students like using color coding to visually see how their different ideas might work together.
  

Why Essays Matter

Here's the thing a lot of people don't realize about college admission: it's not an award for being the smartest, most accomplished, or most impressive. It's an invitation to join a community. Far too many students think that if they can just show that they're smart enough, they'll get in. Yale even says right on their admissions website that 75% of their applicants are academically qualified to succeed at Yale. But only ~4% are getting in. That should tell you that they're looking for more than just top tier test scores and grades. To be perfectly clear, you will need top tier grades and (optionally) test scores to show that you're qualified, and the vast majority of my students come to me with this part already in the bank. But what sets the admits apart? It's personal insight - sharing who you are, how you think, what matters to you, and how you engage community. You can't just say "/IAmVerySmart, please admit me," or even "I did a cool thing guys! Isn't that neat!" You need to go deeper and show them your core values, personal strengths, motivations, aspirations, character traits, foundational beliefs, personality, etc. And you need to do it in a charming, winsome way that makes them like you and want to invite you to join their community.
So how do I get students to do this? All of my students complete that introspection worksheet. We go through it and find the stories, examples, anecdotes, conversations, memories, relationships, and other things from their life that will help us craft a strong and personally insightful narrative. We also make lists of the values, strengths, and key personal qualities we want to showcase. Once we have some topics, outlines, abstracts, or rough drafts, we talk about which stories to tell where, how to tell them well, and what details to include to present the best they have to offer. Then we refine, edit, polish, and enhance over and over until the story sings, but more importantly shows their heart and soul. We also go through all the other application components to ensure consistency, quality, and distinctiveness.
Here's why this works so well: at most highly selective colleges there is a primary reader (or 2-3) who will review everything first and then present it to the admissions committee, who then votes on whether to admit you. That presentation typically goes one of three ways:

1. Total enthusiasm, energy, and excitement. They strongly advocate for admission and paint a clear picture of how you will contribute to their goals and community. Everyone in the room picks up on that energy and is leaning forward in their chairs, looking for reasons to admit you. This is quite rare, generally less than 5 out of every 100 applications, even among those which are "fully qualified." When you do this right, you show depth, meaning, and valuable personal insights so the reviewer is learning about who you are and how you might engage the community they're curating. You come alive off the page as a person, not just another file.
   
2. Business as usual. You're another great applicant in a pile of great applicants. They share a basic review of the facts, your profile, stats, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Maybe someone on the committee finds something they love, and they really push for admission. More likely, not and you get deferred/waitlisted even though there wasn't anything "wrong" with your application. They just didn't love you enough to commit.
   
3. "Here's a stack of 20 applications that I didn't find all that compelling, so we won't present them individually, but you guys are the committee and you make the decisions. So let me know if there are any you want to talk about." In this case, unless there's a letter of endorsement from an athletics coach or your last name matches several buildings on campus, you're probably not getting additional consideration, much less admission. They will regret to inform you.
   

Everything we're doing is designed to help them get to know themselves, present the best they have to offer, and land in that first group. Having top tier essays is the single best way to get there. Get started on brainstorming in the next few weeks so you'll have time to get a few essays completed over the summer.

Good Morning Patriots
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Free place to chat and a good place to discuss whatever you like with other sub users
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2024 Opponents Set.

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Meet New England’s 2024 Rookie Class.

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New England Patriots News Catchup Links - Gonzalez, Douglas, Wallace, Maye’s footwork, and More!

• Transactions: Patriots sign three of their eight 2024 draft picks and nine rookie free agents.
• Patriots announce Eliot Wolf has been named Executive Vice President of Player Personnel.
• Mike Dussault reports new head coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots rookies took to the practice fields on Saturday for the media’s first access in 2024.
• Evan Lazar goes inside QB Drake Maye’s day at Saturday’s rookie minicamp.
• Mike Dussault’s Draft Profile: Fourth-round draft pick WR Javon Baker has an intriguing skillset that could be just what the Patriots ordered.
• Alexandra Francisco reports DL Davon Godchaux and his wife, supermodel Chanel Iman, hosted the ChauxDown Foundation’s first annual Mother’s Day Luncheon at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
• Press Conferences: Jaheim Bell - Marcellas Dial - Ja’Lynn Polk - Caedan Wallace - Drake Maye - Jerod Mayo.
• Transcript: Jerod Mayo.
• Photos: Patriots Rookie Minicamp - Day 1 & 2 and Day 3.
• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: QB Joe Milton III had ‘too much talent’ to pass up; Possible joint training camp practice with Eagles; Wallace-Robinson duo; Reaction to 18-game season; More!
• Ben Volin’s Sunday Football Notes: Beyond Drake Maye, what should we make of the Patriots’ first draft post-Bill Belichick?
• Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: Rookie mini-camp, Eliot Wolf IS the GM; Ernie Adams; More.
• Andy Hart’s Sunday 7: Jerod Mayo and Drake Maye go camping.
• Doug Kyed’s Rookie Minicamp Notes: Observations from Drake Maye, draft class. Top takeaway: Quarterback play will look different for the Patriots this season.
• Taylor Kyles shares his observations from rookie minicamp: Rookie weapons stand out.
• Tom E. Curran’s Rookie minicamp observations: Drake Maye as advertised, a work in progress with all the physical tools to, someday, maybe, approach his much-discussed ceiling; Joe Milton has a cannon of an arm; More.
• Chris Mason gives us 7 takeaways from Patriots rookie minicamp. 1. Both QBs have big arms.
• Alex Barth’s Rookie minicamp notebook: First look at the Class of 2024.
• Mike D’Abate’s Patriots Rookie Minicamp notes: Jerod Mayo reveals ‘a-ha’ moment; More.
• Sophie Weller posts her photos from rookie minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
• Zack Cox tells us how Drake Maye was taking charge at Patriots rookie minicamp.
• Mike D’Abate points out that based on their usage during rookie minicamp, rookie offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson may each be facing a possible positional switch.
• Christopher Price hears from rookie offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson, who say they have been ‘inseparable since we got out here’ at minicamp.
• Doug Kyed spotlights how the rookie receivers and offensive linemen are forging early connections at minicamp.
• Alex Barth posts the Patriots rookie jersey numbers for 2024.