Hello everyone and welcome to my post. In the following few paragraphs, you'll learn a few basics about myself as well as what I'm looking for in a partner. If any of it interests you, please don't hesitate to message me or start a chat. I look forward to hearing from all of you!
To begin with a little about myself, I'm 24M and currently living in NoVA for just over 1.5 years. Before that, I spent most of my life in Massachusetts but eventually ran out of new things to do there. Now, I work in AI research and spend most of my free time either playing board games or exploring nature. I also love to travel and see the world whenever possible. My last trip was to Portugal (pictures available) which was such a beautiful country with such delicious food. Next up in May is Croatia where I plan to visit tons of national parks, especially the Plitvice Lakes (google it, they're gorgeous). Also, one cool and unique facts about me is that I have aphantasia which means I can't see images in my head. Oh and physically, I'm 5'8 with an average build and dark brown hair and eyes.
As for what I'm looking for, I really don't have many expectations in terms of appearance. By far the most important thing to me is that we are able to share each other's hobbies and enjoy time together. For example, I'd love someone I can take on hikes before ending off the day with a board game night at home. And, of course, I'd be interested in sharing and trying your hobbies as well. I also really value communication and people who can keep a conversation going in person and over text.
If you're still interested and made it this far, I've got a LIMITED TIME OFFER for you. In exchange for three unique facts about yourself, I will reply with three pet pictures. These pictures are guaranteed to be extra adorable and come with a 100% money-back guarantee if they don't make you smile.

Hello everyone and welcome to my post. In the following few paragraphs, you'll learn a few basics about myself as well as what I'm looking for in a partner. If any of it interests you, please don't hesitate to message me or start a chat. I look forward to hearing from all of you!
To begin with a little about myself, I'm 24M and currently living in NoVA for just over 1.5 years. Before that, I spent most of my life in Massachusetts but eventually ran out of new things to do there. Now, I work in AI research and spend most of my free time either playing board games or exploring nature. I also love to travel and see the world whenever possible. My last trip was to Portugal (pictures available) which was such a beautiful country with such delicious food. Next up in May is Croatia where I plan to visit tons of national parks, especially the Plitvice Lakes (google it, they're gorgeous). Also, one cool and unique facts about me is that I have aphantasia which means I can't see images in my head. Oh and physically, I'm 5'8 with an average build and dark brown hair and eyes.
As for what I'm looking for, I really don't have many expectations in terms of appearance. By far the most important thing to me is that we are able to share each other's hobbies and enjoy time together. For example, I'd love someone I can take on hikes before ending off the day with a board game night at home. And, of course, I'd be interested in sharing and trying your hobbies as well. I also really value communication and people who can keep a conversation going in person and over text.
If you're still interested and made it this far, I've got a LIMITED TIME OFFER for you. In exchange for three unique facts about yourself, I will reply with three pet pictures. These pictures are guaranteed to be extra adorable and come with a 100% money-back guarantee if they don't make you smile.

I'm currently doing a University coding course our finally assignment is to code an entire website and well the code just isn't working and my tutor is of zero help to me. The website needs to be viewable on desktop, mobile and tablet but for what ever reason even using the provided layout from my tutor I'm unable to get anything apart from the nav bar to respond on top of that anything after the about section on the website just doesn't work no matter what I change. I'm frustrated with it and just need someone to explain to me like a 5 year old what in my code is wrong.
CSS:

@media only screen and (max-width: 1920px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 1366px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 1024px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 640px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 360px) { } .navbar-container { display: flex; align-items: center; position: fixed; top: 0; width: 100%; background-color: #5c4033; z-index: 10; } img { width: 80px; height: auto; margin-right: 10px; } #navItems { list-style-type: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: flex; width: calc(100% - 90px); justify-content: space-around; } li a { display: flex; align-items: center; padding: 14px 16px; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; } li a:hover { background-color: #c4a484; } a:link, a:visited, a:hover, a:active { text-decoration: none; } Body { background-color: #c4a484; } h1 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100px; width: 500px; position: absolute; left: 75px; top: 45px; } #img1 { position: absolute; left: 1275px; top: 100px; width: 600px; } #img2 { position: absolute; left: 650px; top: 275px; width: 600px; } #goat { position: absolute; left: 25px; top: 475px; width: 600px; } .About { position: absolute; Left: 1275px; top: 920px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } h2 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 50px; } .thumbs { display:flex; justify-content:center; flex-wrap:wrap; width:500px; max-width:100%; > a { max-width:150px; height:150px; margin:10px; overflow:hidden; border-radius:5px; box-shadow:0 0 0 3px white, 0 5px 8px 3px rgba(black, 0.6); img { transform:scale(1); transition:transform 0.1s ease-in-out; filter:grayscale(50%); min-width:100%; min-height:100%; max-width:100%; max-height:100%; } &:hover { img { transform:scale(1.1); filter:grayscale(0%); } } } } .lightbox { position:fixed; background:rgba(black,0.5); backdrop-filter:blur(10px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px); height:100%; width:100%; left:0; top:0; transform:translateY(-100%); opacity:0; transition:opacity 0.5s ease-in-out; &:has(div:target) { transform:translateY(0%); opacity:1; } a.nav { text-decoration:none; color:white; font-size:40px; text-shadow:0 2px 2px rgba(black,0.8); opacity:0.5; font-weight:200; &:hover { opacity:1; } } .target { position:absolute; height:100%; width:100%; display:flex; transform:scale(0); align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; *:first-child,*:last-child { flex:0 0 100px; text-align:center; @media all and (max-width:600px){ flex:0 0 50px; } } .content { transform:scale(0.9); opacity:0; flex:1 1 auto; align-self: center; max-height:100%; min-height:0; max-width:calc(100% - 200px); min-width:0; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; box-shadow:0 0 0 3px white, 0 5px 8px 3px rgba(black, 0.6); transition:transform 0.25s ease-in-out,opacity 0.25s ease-in-out; img { min-width:100%; min-height:100%; max-width:100%; max-height:calc(100vh - 40px); display:block; margin:0; } } &:target { transform:scale(1); .content { transform:scale(1); opacity:1; } } } .close { position:absolute; right:10px; top:10px; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 1920px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 1366px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 1024px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 640px) { } @media only screen and (max-width: 360px) { } .navbar-container { display: flex; align-items: center; position: fixed; top: 0; width: 100%; background-color: #5c4033; z-index: 10; } img { width: 80px; height: auto; margin-right: 10px; } #navItems { list-style-type: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: flex; width: calc(100% - 90px); justify-content: space-around; } li a { display: flex; align-items: center; padding: 14px 16px; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; } li a:hover { background-color: #c4a484; } a:link, a:visited, a:hover, a:active { text-decoration: none; } Body { background-color: #c4a484; } h1 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100px; width: 500px; position: absolute; left: 75px; top: 45px; } #img1 { position: absolute; left: 1275px; top: 100px; width: 600px; } #img2 { position: absolute; left: 650px; top: 275px; width: 600px; } #goat { position: absolute; left: 25px; top: 475px; width: 600px; } .About { position: absolute; Left: 1275px; top: 920px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } h2 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 50px; } .thumbs { display:flex; justify-content:center; flex-wrap:wrap; width:500px; max-width:100%; > a { max-width:150px; height:150px; margin:10px; overflow:hidden; border-radius:5px; box-shadow:0 0 0 3px white, 0 5px 8px 3px rgba(black, 0.6); img { transform:scale(1); transition:transform 0.1s ease-in-out; filter:grayscale(50%); min-width:100%; min-height:100%; max-width:100%; max-height:100%; } &:hover { img { transform:scale(1.1); filter:grayscale(0%); } } } } .lightbox { position:fixed; background:rgba(black,0.5); backdrop-filter:blur(10px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px); height:100%; width:100%; left:0; top:0; transform:translateY(-100%); opacity:0; transition:opacity 0.5s ease-in-out; &:has(div:target) { transform:translateY(0%); opacity:1; } a.nav { text-decoration:none; color:white; font-size:40px; text-shadow:0 2px 2px rgba(black,0.8); opacity:0.5; font-weight:200; &:hover { opacity:1; } } .target { position:absolute; height:100%; width:100%; display:flex; transform:scale(0); align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; *:first-child,*:last-child { flex:0 0 100px; text-align:center; @media all and (max-width:600px){ flex:0 0 50px; } } .content { transform:scale(0.9); opacity:0; flex:1 1 auto; align-self: center; max-height:100%; min-height:0; max-width:calc(100% - 200px); min-width:0; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; box-shadow:0 0 0 3px white, 0 5px 8px 3px rgba(black, 0.6); transition:transform 0.25s ease-in-out,opacity 0.25s ease-in-out; img { min-width:100%; min-height:100%; max-width:100%; max-height:calc(100vh - 40px); display:block; margin:0; } } &:target { transform:scale(1); .content { transform:scale(1); opacity:1; } } } .close { position:absolute; right:10px; top:10px; } } 

HTML:

          
 
Lilac Valley Farm Stay
    
 
 
About Lilac Valley
 Escape to Rustic Luxury at Lilac Valley Farm Stay Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of a farmyard, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mountains. Lilac Valley Farm Stay is your invitation to unwind and reconnect with nature in a beautifully restored luxury barn house. This hidden gem, lovingly renovated by local interior designer Marina YeMarina Ye, offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Spread over four acres, the property boasts:
 
 
A stunning open-plan barn house, perfect for families or groups.
 
An enchanting cottage garden bursting with colorful blooms.
 
A refreshing plunge pool to cool off after a day of exploring.
 
Friendly farmyard companions – sheep, chickens, ducks, and the ever-so-charming Rosie the goat.
 
 Lilac Valley Farm Stay has been a favorite amongst AirBnB guests and has even garnered attention online. Get ready for an unforgettable escape. 
 
 
    
 
 
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Lilac Valley Farm Stay
    
 
 
About Lilac Valley
 Escape to Rustic Luxury at Lilac Valley Farm Stay Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of a farmyard, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mountains. Lilac Valley Farm Stay is your invitation to unwind and reconnect with nature in a beautifully restored luxury barn house. This hidden gem, lovingly renovated by local interior designer Marina YeMarina Ye, offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Spread over four acres, the property boasts:
 
 
A stunning open-plan barn house, perfect for families or groups.
 
An enchanting cottage garden bursting with colorful blooms.
 
A refreshing plunge pool to cool off after a day of exploring.
 
Friendly farmyard companions – sheep, chickens, ducks, and the ever-so-charming Rosie the goat.
 
 Lilac Valley Farm Stay has been a favorite amongst AirBnB guests and has even garnered attention online. Get ready for an unforgettable escape. 
 
 
    
 
 
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Salut moi c’est tam j’ai 20 ans et je vais vous raconter un truc creepy qu’il s’est passé dans ma vie, j’aimerais savoir vos théorie sur le sujet. Merci de prendre le temps de lire ça 😉 Ça c’est passé il y a 4 ans. (Les photos viennent d’un tik tok car l’une des filles a fais des vidéos dessus) Jour 1 C’est une journée comme d’habitude je suis au lycée, je finis ma journée et je rentre chez moi. J’allume mon tel et je vais sur insta pour voir mes messages comme d’habitude et là je vois que j’ai une nouvelle demande, (à ce moment là, il y avait pas mal de groupe avec des bots de femme avec des liens suspects mdr vous voyez de quoi je parle, je pensais que c’étais ça) donc j’ouvre et je vois qu’il y a pas mal d’activité dans le groupe, je remonte les messages, (je fais la curieuse) je vois que finalement c’est un groupe « normal » (mdr) avec des gens normaux, ils se demandent tous pourquoi ils ont été ajouté à ce groupe, puis la créatrice du groupe commence à parler et là ça devient creepy..
Elle nous dit que si nous sommes dans le groupe ce n’est pas par hasard, qu’elle nous a choisis minutieusement et qu’elle connaît pas mal de choses sur nous 💀. Bon on essaie de relativiser les choses quand même, on se dit que c’est sûrement une blague, que y’a pas mal de gens chelou ect elle nous dit que si on veut nous sommes libre de partir (plutôt cool, mais bon plus intéressant de rester)puis la créatrice renomme le groupe « mox ». On cherche sur internet la signification et on voit des images de sorte de cristaux ou de pierres magiques bref on sait pas quel est le rapport avec nous. On se dit que c’est bizarre, certains ont peur… puis la créatrice disparaît alors on parle de nos théories et de tout et de rien sans réellement parler de nous (infos qui pourraient lui servir par exemple on a évité) en attendant que la « sorcière » vienne nous en dire un peu plus. Le lendemain on reçoit de nouveaux messages creepy. Une des personnes du groupe demande si elle sait où on habite puis la créatrice répond à nouveau et dit sans problèmes les lieux. Elle re disparaît. On s’énerve on lui demande de revenir.. et après un long moment elle revient et nous répond qu’elle trouve ça assez intéressant que nous demandons qu’elle revienne et qu’on changerait vite d’avis, ensuite elle nous envoie une heure « 22h28 », puis elle nous envoie « 22h28 at ludus incipit » c’est du latin qui veut dire « à 22h28 le jeu commence » (pas du tout creepy au final 💀), on se pose ensuite des questions, pourquoi, comment, quel jeu ? Et elle nous répond qu’on doit être présent sur la conversation à cette heure ou sinon il pourrait y avoir des répercussions. On parlait de notre journée, j’envoie une photo dans le groupe et en réponse j’ai eue une photo d’un bébé qui serait apparemment la soeur de quelqu’un 💀. On a donc créé un groupe qu’avec les personnes « sûres » car on avait supposé qu’elle aurait pu avoir un deuxième compte et nous surveiller quand même et dans se groupe on discute et on remarque que nous sommes que des filles de 15/17 ans et que nous avons beaucoup d’autres points communs, on a trouvé ça hyper chelou mais ça donnais du sens au « je vous ai choisies minutieusement ». Dans le groupe avec la sorcière (j’ai d’ailleurs renommé ce groupe « Danaé » pour ceux qui ont pas la réf c’est la sorcière que Carla des marseillais a été voir pour marabouter je sais plus qui, je crois je sais plus), on reçoit deux photos, une avec une poupée vaudou avec une aiguille dedans qui représentait quelqu’un du groupe et une photo d’un fond blanc avec un trou noir alors je renvoie une photo en mode ??? C’est quoi ça ? Puis j’envoie un message « répond darling » (j’étais pas maligne), elle voit mon message et me dit qu’elle commençait à moins m’apprécier 🥲. Elle nous envoie du latin encore « primum ne festines » qui veut dire en français « ne soyez pas pressé » suivi de plein de « mox », énormément de « mox ». Il est 22h00. Je l’harcèle de message sur le groupe puis elle me répond et me dit que je suis sa préféré puis elle dit aussi que je la fait rire et que je ne mourrai pas la première (mhhh quelle bonne nouvelle). Elle répond qu’elle nous dira rien, qu’on aurait des petites devinettes à répondre et que si on y répondais pas avant la fin du temps imparti, elle réfléchirait aux conséquences.. puis elle nous envoie un même cringe. Une personne du groupe décide de lui parler et elle nous rapporte dans le « safe groupe » qu’il faut continuer jusqu’au bout le jeu, jusqu’à la fin. Je décide donc aussi d’aller lui parler, de lui demander qu’elles étaient les conséquences, dans quels buts elle faisait ça ? Pourquoi spécialement nous ? Et je n’ai pas de réponses.
22h28. La sorcière nous envoie 2 vocaux, on en avait jamais reçus avant. Dans ses vocaux, elle ne parlait pas. Au début on pensait que c’était un battement de cœur et en réécoutant plusieurs fois on a compris que c’était du morse. Je reçois enfin une réponse de la sorcière en mp et elle me dit qu’elle compte particulièrement sur moi et l’autre personne qui lui a parlé en mp. Dans le groupe elle nous dit qu’on a 3 jours pour résoudre l’énigme et que si on trouvait pas, il y aurait (roulement de tambour 🥁)✨ DES CONSÉQUENCES ✨. Le lendemain. On était plus que 3 à s’investir, les autres on eue peurs et sont restés muettes en espérant qu’on trouve la solution. C’était bien du morse, on a tenté plein de convertisseur, on cherchait, j’étais en cours puis je cherchais aussi avec mes potes. Le soir en rentrant des cours on lui dit qu’on a trouver que c’était du morse et les lettres qui allaient avec et elle nous répond « bravo le jeu est terminé » et elle supprime le groupe et @camz_alijr est supprimé aussi.
Voilà, je pense que vous êtes aussi déçus que nous que ça soit fini, je me pose toujours des questions et je voulais savoir ce que vous en pensez ? Est ce que c’était réel ou bien juste un jeu pour nous faire peur ? Est ce que c’était quelqu’un piégé dans un jeu et qui n’arrivait pas à répondre aux énigmes et voulait nous faire participer en se mettant anonyme ? Je sais pas je me pose beaucoup de question
J’ai des screens de la conv si vous voulez venez insta @_poooliaaa_6
Merci à vous d’avoir pris le temps de lire

Feel free to discuss anything regarding the event in this post. This includes the story, artwork, gacha pulls, and more.

Event Details

• Attribute: Cool
• Event Type: Medley Live
• Boosted Members: Ran, Moca, Himari, Tomoe, Tsugumi
• Boosted Parameter: Performance

Added Songs

• Afterglow – 「That's why I'm here」 (Difficulty: 7 / 14 / 21 / 26)
• Afterglow – 「Telecaster B-boy」 (Difficulty: 9 / 15 / 23 / 26)

Duration

• Start: May 15, 2024 – 1:00 AM (UTC) (Time Zone Converter)
• End: May 23, 2024 – 6:59 AM (UTC) (Time Zone Converter)

Event Rewards

• 3★ Happy: Tsugumi – HealeScorer: Life restored by 450 and score increased by 20% for 8 seconds.
• 2★ Happy: Himari – Perfect Scorer: GREAT notes become PERFECT and score increased by 10% for 8 seconds.

Gacha: Guitar Duet of Dual Emotion Gacha (Permanent)

• 5★ Cool: Ran – HealeScorer: Life restored by 750 and score increased by 110% for 7.5 seconds.
• 5★ Cool: Moca – Scorer: Score increased by 130% for 7 seconds.
• 4★ Cool: Tomoe – Conditional Scorer: Score increased by 95% (lowered to 80% for GREAT notes or lower) for 7 seconds. If band is all Cool types, score increased by by 115% instead.

Gacha: Dream Festival Gacha (LIMITED)

• 5★ Pure: Hina – Perfect Scorer: PERFECT note score increased by 150% for 7 seconds.
• 5★ Cool: Rimi – Perfect Scorer: PERFECT note score increased by 150% for 7 seconds.

Note: Skill values are listed at Skill Level 5.

DreamFes Information:

• Start: May 15, 2024 – 1:00 AM (UTC) (Time Zone Converter)
• End: May 20, 2024 – 6:59 AM (UTC) (Time Zone Converter)

Notes:

• 5★ cards will have double the pull rate, from 3% to 6%.
• The rate-up for the DreamFes banner will be applied to four 5★ cards: Ran, Moca, Hina, Rimi, as well as 4★ Tomoe.
• After the conclusion of the DreamFes banner on May 20, the DreamFes cards will no longer be available, and the Limited Event Banner will commence, with rate-ups being applied to Ran, Moca, and 4★ Tomoe.
• During this period, only pulls with five 4★ cards and above will be allowed in their own threads, due to the increase in reroll accounts and to reduce the influx of gacha threads. All other pulls should be shared here instead. We seek your understanding on this.

Note: Skill values are listed at Skill Level 5.
Card images and event details can be found here.
Past EN Event Megathreads

Let me preface this by I am usually strictly a lurker and occasional commenter, HOWEVER, this week has been horrendous and my moms boomer friends and family are just. Grrr. I want to rant.
Last thursday my grandfather passed away. This Sunday (Mother's Day for ya'll in the know) my adoptive father suffered a stroke. (Happy mother's day mom!)
Yesterday he's in the hospital obviously being put through the ringer to determine all the things they pay doctors to determine. (How bad it was? I assume. I was not there). Now my parents are right at the end of boomers (61 & 63 years old) as are all their friends. The difference being behavior.
My adoptive dads sister is a horrible woman (please call her Karen), she has zero children, has no idea how to behave around children and was a teacher to children for who knows how long (I dont image the kids have fond memories of her) and yet insisted I could not inherit anything from my adoptive dad because I was not biologically his. Currently she is on a warpath because mom did not tell her about dads stroke (she tried calling her, she did leave a voicemail when she couldnt reach Karen). Except, shes making it about her - and is now calling everyone else and bitching about it. Cool. One of the people she called was a mutual friend of my parents.
This friend texts my mom and asks if he can come see dad. Mom says no. The tests theyre doing require dad to not be distracted, lights off, etc (again Im not there, all I know was it involved doing brain scans and asking questions). Guess who showed up? Friend. Mom had litterally just told this man that he could not come visit and he shows up at my dads hospital room. I have no idea how he knew what hospital, much less what room. Meanwhile hes all butthurt he cant talk to dad.
When mom, my husband and I were having dinner later she was telling us about this I actually said "You do know most people in my generation and younger would die before they assumed they could show up somewhere - especially a hospital room - unannounced right?" (Hubs and I are youngish millenials at 32). Mom actually agreed.
Like where the heck do they get off just showing up at someone's potential deathbed like that? Ya'll are barely friends.
TLDR; Boomers randomly showing up uninvited to my dads hospital room after he had a stroke are the worst.

Salut moi c’est tam j’ai 20 ans et je vais vous raconter un truc creepy qu’il s’est passé dans ma vie, j’aimerais savoir vos théorie sur le sujet. Merci de prendre le temps de lire ça 😉 Ça c’est passé il y a 4 ans. Jour 1 C’est une journée comme d’habitude je suis au lycée, je finis ma journée et je rentre chez moi. J’allume mon tel et je vais sur insta pour voir mes messages comme d’habitude et là je vois que j’ai une nouvelle demande, (à ce moment là, il y avait pas mal de groupe avec des bots de femme avec des liens suspects mdr vous voyez de quoi je parle, je pensais que c’étais ça) donc j’ouvre et je vois qu’il y a pas mal d’activité dans le groupe, je remonte les messages, (je fais la curieuse) je vois que finalement c’est un groupe « normal » (mdr) avec des gens normaux, ils se demandent tous pourquoi ils ont été ajouté à ce groupe, puis la créatrice du groupe commence à parler et là ça devient creepy..
Elle nous dit que si nous sommes dans le groupe ce n’est pas par hasard, qu’elle nous a choisis minutieusement et qu’elle connaît pas mal de choses sur nous 💀. Bon on essaie de relativiser les choses quand même, on se dit que c’est sûrement une blague, que y’a pas mal de gens chelou ect elle nous dit que si on veut nous sommes libre de partir (plutôt cool, mais bon plus intéressant de rester) puis la créatrice renomme le groupe « mox ». On cherche sur internet la signification et on voit des images de sorte de cristaux ou de pierres magiques bref on sait pas quel est le rapport avec nous. On se dit que c’est bizarre, certains ont peur… puis la créatrice disparaît alors on parle de nos théories et de tout et de rien sans réellement parler de nous (infos qui pourraient lui servir par exemple on a évité) en attendant que la « sorcière » vienne nous en dire un peu plus. Le lendemain on reçoit de nouveaux messages creepy. Une des personnes du groupe demande si elle sait où on habite puis la créatrice répond à nouveau et dit sans problèmes les lieux. Elle re disparaît. On s’énerve on lui demande de revenir.. et après un long moment elle revient et nous répond qu’elle trouve ça assez intéressant que nous demandons qu’elle revienne et qu’on changerait vite d’avis, ensuite elle nous envoie une heure « 22h28 », puis elle nous envoie « 22h28 at ludus incipit » c’est du latin qui veut dire « à 22h28 le jeu commence » (pas du tout creepy au final 💀), on se pose ensuite des questions, pourquoi, comment, quel jeu ? Et elle nous répond qu’on doit être présent sur la conversation à cette heure ou sinon il pourrait y avoir des répercussions. On parlait de notre journée, j’envoie une photo dans le groupe et en réponse j’ai eue une photo d’un bébé qui serait apparemment la soeur de quelqu’un 💀. On a donc créé un groupe qu’avec les personnes « sûres » car on avait supposé qu’elle aurait pu avoir un deuxième compte et nous surveiller quand même et dans se groupe on discute et on remarque que nous sommes que des filles de 15/17 ans et que nous avons beaucoup d’autres points communs, on a trouvé ça hyper chelou mais ça donnais du sens au « je vous ai choisies minutieusement ». Dans le groupe avec la sorcière (j’ai d’ailleurs renommé ce groupe « Danaé » pour ceux qui ont pas la réf c’est la sorcière que Carla des marseillais a été voir pour marabouter je sais plus qui, je crois je sais plus), on reçoit deux photos, une avec une poupée vaudou avec une aiguille dedans qui représentait quelqu’un du groupe et une photo d’un fond blanc avec un trou noir alors je renvoie une photo en mode ??? C’est quoi ça ? Puis j’envoie un message « répond darling » (j’étais pas maligne), elle voit mon message et me dit qu’elle commençait à moins m’apprécier 🥲. Elle nous envoie du latin encore « primum ne festines » qui veut dire en français « ne soyez pas pressé » suivi de plein de « mox », énormément de « mox ». Il est 22h00. Je l’harcèle de message sur le groupe puis elle me répond et me dit que je suis sa préféré (photo 12) puis elle dit aussi que je la fait rire et que je ne mourrai pas la première (mhhh quelle bonne nouvelle). Elle répond qu’elle nous dira rien, qu’on aurait des petites devinettes à répondre et que si on y répondais pas avant la fin du temps imparti, elle réfléchirait aux conséquences.. puis elle nous envoie un même cringe. Une personne du groupe décide de lui parler et elle nous rapporte dans le « safe groupe » qu’il faut continuer jusqu’au bout le jeu, jusqu’à la fin. Je décide donc aussi d’aller lui parler, de lui demander qu’elles étaient les conséquences, dans quels buts elle faisait ça ? Pourquoi spécialement nous ? Et je n’ai pas de réponses.
22h28. La sorcière nous envoie 2 vocaux, on en avait jamais reçus avant. Dans ses vocaux, elle ne parlait pas. Au début on pensait que c’était un battement de cœur et en réécoutant plusieurs fois on a compris que c’était du morse. Je reçois enfin une réponse de la sorcière en mp et elle me dit qu’elle compte particulièrement sur moi et l’autre personne qui lui a parlé en mp. Dans le groupe elle nous dit qu’on a 3 jours pour résoudre l’énigme et que si on trouvait pas, il y aurait (roulement de tambour 🥁)✨ DES CONSÉQUENCES ✨. Le lendemain. On était plus que 3 à s’investir, les autres on eue peurs et sont restés muettes en espérant qu’on trouve la solution. C’était bien du morse, on a tenté plein de convertisseur, on cherchait, j’étais en cours puis je cherchais aussi avec mes potes. Le soir en rentrant des cours on lui dit qu’on a trouver que c’était du morse et les lettres qui allaient avec et elle nous répond « bravo le jeu est terminé » et elle supprime le groupe et @camz_alijr est supprimé aussi.
Voilà, je pense que vous êtes aussi déçus que nous que ça soit fini, je me pose toujours des questions et je voulais savoir ce que vous en pensez ? Est ce que c’était réel ou bien juste un jeu pour nous faire peur ? Est ce que c’était quelqu’un piégé dans un jeu et qui n’arrivait pas à répondre aux énigmes et voulait nous faire participer en se mettant anonyme ? Je sais pas je me pose beaucoup de question J’ai des screens si vous voulez mon insta : @_poooliaaa_6
Merci à vous d’avoir pris le temps de lire

2024-183 / Zedd MAP: 92.15 / MLZ MAP: 88.74 / Score Gap: 3.41
Wikipedia?wprov=sfti1#) / IMDb / Official Trailer / Our Collection
In years gone by, I was a crazed World of Warcraft player - damn, twenty years ago now. I absolutely loved being in control of my own story there. I did a great deal of role playing my characters - a habit I picked up as a teen playing Dungeon and Dragons. That sort of immersion is something I learned by interjecting myself into movies as a form of escape as a kid.
From IMDb: A New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is murdered by street punks. In self-defense, the vengeful man kills muggers on the mean streets after dark.
Years later (this has a point, I swear), I bought a video game because I was looking for inroads with a young dude who’d become my son-in-law. He was quite taken with a western game called Red Dead Redemption 2… now - strictly speaking, I’m not a western sort of movie dude but I’m like… motivated. I stared at that game and ((nothing)). So I did what I always do - I look to movies to get me going. But which?
“Hey!” Mrs. Lady Zedd to the rescue, “What about that one with Henry Fonda - Once Upon a Time in the West”
Sounded good to me - I didn’t know anything about it but anything Henry Fonda I’m going say Okey Dokey. It wasn’t something I figured we want so we rented it or saw it on Criterion Channel. As such, I didn’t do any digging in particulars. It was at the end, both MLZ and I suitably impressed, we decided it needed to be picked up on disc and I made a discovery I hadn’t expected.
I was aware of Charles Bronson in an academic sense, probably seen his face looking back at me from a VHS box at a rent house somewhere. But I didn’t realize this kick ass actor in Once Upon… that we enjoyed so much was, indeed, Bronson.
Younger Zedd didn’t really pay attention to action films during the heydays of the genre in the 70/80/90s - MLZ brought those in. We’ve got plenty of Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and Willis films up there but Bronson’s easy going nature in that western (that we absolutely picked up) stuck in my mind. Death Wish is just another one of those films that slipped through the cracks - I thought maybe this film would give me that hard-edge, tough guy Bronson that I’d always assumed he was.
In a word… no, not at all. We both were shocked. Maybe the image we have of “Charles Bronson” doesn’t fit with the actual Bronson. This particular film sees him, not as some uber bad ass (as we figured) but a mild mannered, calm character that was a conscientious objector during the Korean War. He is forced into the position of vigilante only after there’s no police response to his wife and daughter’s assault.
Even as he’s out being a menace to muggers in the greater NYC area, Charles Bronson is not just calm but somehow, calming. MLZ says she thinks our omission of his filmography is a clear mistake - one we should make a correction on and in the “sooner rather than later” speed setting.
So - did I connect with my future SIL over Red Dead Redemption - no, not really. It was cool, we’re not knocking heads anymore, and I think he’s worked out that I’m cool with him, if he’s cool with me. I did, finally get into the game (its hard, I’m very limited by my bum spine) but the game has a great story to it. I played it out in small chunks over about a year.
I find it interesting that the movies have been diminishing for years now (with a few great exceptions that prove the rule) but it seems other mediums of storytelling seemed to have become cinematic - television and video games both have improved in quality and scope (here or there). Maybe the business of motion picture production and distribution is wobbly but we’re happy to find our movie on wherever we find it.

Ive been playing on GGpoker for the last 3 years with no issues. Last week , like an idiot , i decided to get my account verified. So i submitted the docs required and thought that was it. Continued with my tourneys as usual.
The next day i logged in and it says that my documents were rejected. I said oh well, probably the images were not up to par so i resubmitted newer ones with my wife's higher quality camera. this process went back and forth around 4 to 5 times.
I finally gave up and said hey, never mind the verification. i will just carry on with what i do on the site daily. First they blocked my daily rewards because i'm not verified. ( even though i've been collecting this for years.) No biggie.
Today they decided to suspend my account all together. I tried to keep my cool and emailed support. emails back and forth, rejections back and forth. These are the documents i have submitted so far and still awaiting approval :
Bank statement National ID National ID with Selfie Passport Bank Invoice
And no, i am still not verified. I don't even share this level of documentations with my banks. Its getting to a point where i'm seriously considering jumping ship and moving to another site. It saddens me cause i've grown to love GGpoker with all its initial flaws i've always been an advocate for it.
Has anyone else experienced similar situations?

https://preview.redd.it/4mshfznk1h0d1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=541d5c5a1c9de9aec0b973967e98707d63a93f46
A big hello to all skinks members!
My name is Ashe, and I am a moderator for this subreddit, as well as a part of the staff team of the Snek Discovering Discord server, an educational server meant for all reptile keepers to enjoy. As I believe this community would greatly enjoy this amazing opportunity, I thought I would cross-share some of the details regarding this giveaway!
We’re giving away a Fully paid for 4x2x2 enclosure from lifetime, AND a cool Lifetime Habitats shirt! Lets take a look at this prize a little further, shall we? Features include:

• Lifetime Collapsible Engineering.
• Reinforced Micron Venting.
• Reversible Solid Wood Floor (Substrate).
• Desert, Tropical or Bio-Active Eco system.
• Swing out scratch resistant Acrylic doors w/ lock.
• Torched and sealed, Painted 2 tone finish options.
• Heat/ UVB with Professional Installation.
• Nationwide Shipping.

Now, I'm sure you're wondering... How do you participate in this giveaway?
You artists out there will be creating the official new logo and name to go along with it for the server (Bonus if you incorporate the name into the logo!) In order to win this competition, both a name and logo must be provided.
Rules to entering below:

• All work must be of your own creation, AI generated artwork will NOT Be acceptable under any circumstances.

-Only TWO Entries per user will be allowed, if you submit a second entry, Please use the same forum you submitted your initial submission!
-Winners Must live within the United states or Canada!!! I’m sorry for our international users that we cannot offer this competition to you at this time. In the future, we will have different competitions available to those overseas at a later date.
-Shipping is paid for In the United states ONLY. Canadian winners may have to pay taxes and an importing fee. Please be aware of how much this will cost you based of your locality in Canada before entering! You are responsible for knowing your own laws and prices.
-Winners will be picked in a two-round process. Staff will select a top five from the competition, and from there, Users will be able to vote for their favorite name and Logo.
-By entering, you agree to sign over your rights to the image and name if you were to win this competition. Your name will remain credited in further use of winning logo use.
-YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ENTER. Due to the nature of this competition, the winners ID Must be checked before the prize is given out. This will be securely done by staff member u/Bailey , with private information blacked out [You will be instructed on what to leave visible], and deleted directly after verification.
-If the Winner of this competition is unable to provide the needed information for delivery, or the user is disqualified in any way, shape, or form, the prize will instead go to second place and they will be elected as winner, and so forth. -Peacekeepers and up will not be allowed to enter into this competition while it runs. -Entries MUST be digitized work.
This competition will stop taking entries on July 1st, 2024. . From there, staff will pick their top five from the competition, and on July 7th, 2024 , The top 5 will be announced and user voting will be enabled. This will go on for an additional 2 weeks , and on July 24th, 2024, an official winner will be announced.
To join our server and to participate in this giveaway of a lifetime, feel free to join via this invite link: https://discord.gg/reptiles
I wish you all the best of luck, and look forward to seeing your submissions!

Introduction to energy consumption in vending machines

Vending machines have become an integral part of our daily lives, providing convenient access to a wide range of products. However, the energy consumption of these machines is a growing concern. In this article, we will explore the various factors that contribute to the energy consumption of vending machines and discuss strategies to optimize their energy usage. By understanding the impact of energy consumption in vending machines, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and efficient future.

Importance of optimizing energy consumption

Optimizing energy consumption in vending machines is of utmost importance in today's world. With the increasing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, it is crucial to minimize the energy usage of vending machines. By doing so, we can reduce the environmental impact and contribute to a greener future. Additionally, optimizing energy consumption can lead to significant cost savings for businesses. Lower energy consumption means lower electricity bills, allowing companies to allocate their resources more efficiently. Moreover, by optimizing energy consumption, vending machines can operate more effectively, ensuring a seamless experience for customers. Overall, the importance of optimizing energy consumption in vending machines cannot be overstated, as it brings both environmental and economic benefits.

Benefits of reducing energy usage in vending machines

Reducing energy usage in vending machines offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps in maximizing return on construction services. By optimizing energy consumption, vending machines can operate more efficiently, resulting in reduced energy costs and increased profitability. Additionally, reducing energy usage contributes to environmental sustainability, as it reduces the carbon footprint associated with vending machine operations. This not only aligns with corporate social responsibility goals but also enhances the brand image by showcasing a commitment to energy conservation. Moreover, by minimizing energy consumption, vending machine owners can extend the lifespan of their machines, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. Overall, the benefits of reducing energy usage in vending machines are multifaceted, encompassing financial savings, environmental impact, and operational efficiency.

Understanding Energy Consumption in Vending Machines

Factors contributing to energy consumption

Factors contributing to energy consumption in vending machines include the type of refrigeration system used, the age and condition of the machine, and the location where it is placed. Additionally, the design and functionality of the machine's user interface can also impact energy usage. One important factor to consider is the implementation of a mobile-friendly website design. This allows customers to conveniently access information about the vending machine, such as product availability and nutritional information, through their mobile devices. By incorporating mobile-friendly website design, vending machine operators can enhance the user experience and reduce the need for physical interaction with the machine, ultimately optimizing energy consumption.

Types of energy used in vending machines

Vending machines are powered by various types of energy sources to operate efficiently. The most commonly used energy sources in vending machines include electricity, batteries, and solar power. Electricity is the primary energy source for most vending machines, as it provides a reliable and constant power supply. Batteries are often used as a backup power source in case of power outages or to ensure continuous operation in remote locations. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards using solar power in vending machines, as it is a renewable and environmentally friendly energy source. Solar-powered vending machines not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions. The choice of energy source in vending machines plays a crucial role in optimizing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact.

Measuring energy consumption in vending machines

Measuring energy consumption in vending machines is a crucial step towards optimizing their efficiency and reducing their environmental impact. By accurately measuring the energy consumed by these machines, companies can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to minimize energy waste. One key aspect to consider when measuring energy consumption is the impact of custom advertisements. These advertisements, when displayed on vending machines, can significantly affect energy usage. By analyzing the energy consumption patterns during the display of custom advertisements, companies can make informed decisions on how to optimize energy usage without compromising the effectiveness of these promotional materials.

Strategies for Optimizing Energy Consumption

Implementing energy-efficient lighting systems

Implementing energy-efficient lighting systems is crucial in optimizing the energy consumption of vending machines. By using advanced lighting technologies such as LED lights, vending machine operators can significantly reduce energy usage without compromising on the quality of illumination. LED lights are known for their long lifespan, low energy consumption, and high efficiency, making them an ideal choice for energy-conscious businesses. Furthermore, implementing motion sensors and timers can further enhance energy efficiency by automatically adjusting the lighting levels based on the presence of customers. Overall, integrating energy-efficient lighting systems into vending machines not only helps in reducing energy costs but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly operation.

Utilizing motion sensors to control power usage

Motion sensors can play a crucial role in optimizing the energy consumption of vending machines. By utilizing motion sensors to control power usage, vending machines can automatically detect when there is no activity and enter a low-power mode. This not only reduces energy waste but also extends the lifespan of the machine. Additionally, motion sensors can be used to trigger the machine to power up when someone approaches, ensuring that energy is only consumed when necessary. By incorporating motion sensors into vending machines, businesses can significantly reduce their energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Optimizing temperature settings for refrigeration

Optimizing temperature settings for refrigeration is a crucial step in reducing energy consumption of vending machines. By carefully adjusting the temperature settings, operators can ensure that the refrigeration units are running efficiently without unnecessary energy waste. It is recommended to set the temperature at the minimum level required to maintain the freshness and quality of the products. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the refrigeration systems can also help identify any potential issues that may be causing excessive energy usage. Implementing these optimization strategies can not only save energy but also contribute to the overall sustainability goals of the vending machine industry.

Monitoring and Analyzing Energy Usage

Using smart meters to track energy consumption

Using smart meters to track energy consumption is an effective way to optimize the energy usage of vending machines. By installing smart meters, vending machine operators can monitor and analyze the energy consumption patterns in real-time. This data can then be used to identify areas of high energy usage and develop strategies to reduce energy waste. One of the key benefits of using smart meters is the ability to tailor service payments based on actual energy consumption. This allows vending machine operators to accurately bill customers for the energy used, promoting fairness and encouraging energy-efficient practices. By implementing smart metering technology, vending machine operators can take proactive steps towards optimizing energy consumption and reducing their environmental impact.

Analyzing data to identify energy-saving opportunities

Analyzing data to identify energy-saving opportunities is a crucial step in optimizing the energy consumption of vending machines. By carefully examining the data collected from various sources, such as energy usage logs and machine performance metrics, businesses can gain valuable insights into their vending machine operations. These insights can then be used to identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced, leading to cost savings and a more sustainable business model. Implementing data-driven strategies and technologies, such as smart sensors and machine learning algorithms, can further enhance the energy efficiency of vending machines. By leveraging data analysis techniques and adopting energy-saving measures, businesses can not only reduce their environmental impact but also improve their bottom line.

Implementing energy management software

Implementing energy management software is a crucial step in optimizing the energy consumption of vending machines. By utilizing advanced software solutions, vending machine operators can gain better control over the energy usage of their machines, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits. Energy management software allows for real-time monitoring of energy consumption, enabling operators to identify inefficiencies and implement corrective measures promptly. Additionally, this software provides valuable insights into usage patterns and trends, facilitating the development of targeted energy-saving strategies. With the implementation of energy management software, vending machine operators can contribute to a more sustainable future while also improving their bottom line.

Best Practices for Energy Efficiency

Regular maintenance and cleaning of vending machines

Regular maintenance and cleaning of vending machines is crucial for optimizing energy consumption. By conducting regular maintenance checks, vending machine operators can identify and address any issues that may be causing excessive energy usage. This includes inspecting and cleaning the cooling systems, ensuring proper insulation, and monitoring the power consumption of individual components. Additionally, implementing effective cleaning practices, such as regularly wiping down surfaces and removing debris, can help maintain the efficiency of the machines. By prioritizing regular maintenance and cleaning, vending machine operators can reduce energy waste and improve the overall performance of their machines.

Educating users on energy-saving practices

Educating users on energy-saving practices is crucial for optimizing energy consumption of vending machines. By providing entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and tools, they can make informed decisions that promote energy efficiency and contribute to positive change. It is important to educate users on the benefits of energy-saving practices and the impact they can have on the environment and their own businesses. By implementing energy-saving measures, entrepreneurs can not only reduce their operating costs but also demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, which can attract environmentally conscious customers. Emphasizing the importance of energy-saving practices and encouraging users to adopt them can create a culture of responsible energy consumption and drive positive change in the vending machine industry.

Collaborating with suppliers to source energy-efficient equipment

Collaborating with suppliers to source energy-efficient equipment is a crucial step in optimizing the energy consumption of vending machines. By working closely with suppliers, businesses can ensure that the equipment they acquire meets the highest energy efficiency standards. This collaboration allows for the identification and selection of energy-efficient vending machines that not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to cost savings. Furthermore, by partnering with suppliers who prioritize sustainability, businesses can align their values with suppliers who share a commitment to reducing environmental impact. This collaboration also provides an opportunity for businesses to explore innovative technologies and solutions that can further enhance energy efficiency in vending machines. By actively engaging with suppliers, businesses can establish a sustainable and energy-efficient business formation that benefits both the environment and the bottom line.

Conclusion

Summary of key points

The summary of key points is an essential section that provides a concise overview of the main ideas discussed in the article. In the article titled 'How to Optimize Energy Consumption of Vending Machines', several key points were highlighted. Firstly, it is crucial to understand the importance of energy optimization in vending machines to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Secondly, implementing energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and smart sensors can significantly contribute to energy savings. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of vending machines can help ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency. Lastly, monitoring energy consumption through data analysis and implementing energy-saving strategies can further optimize energy usage in vending machines. By following these key points, vending machine operators can effectively optimize energy consumption and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Importance of ongoing energy optimization efforts

Energy optimization is a crucial aspect that should not be overlooked when it comes to vending machines. The ongoing efforts to optimize energy consumption play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact and operational costs associated with these machines. By implementing efficient energy management strategies, vending machine owners can not only contribute to a greener and more sustainable future but also improve their bottom line. It is imperative for businesses to prioritize ongoing energy optimization efforts to ensure maximum efficiency and minimize wastage. By doing so, they can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also enhance their reputation as environmentally responsible entities.

Future trends in energy-efficient vending machines

Future trends in energy-efficient vending machines are crucial for the entrepreneurial success of businesses. As technology continues to advance, there is a growing demand for vending machines that consume less energy while still providing efficient service. Companies are investing in research and development to create vending machines that are equipped with energy-saving features such as LED lighting, smart sensors, and power management systems. These advancements not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to cost savings for businesses. By embracing these future trends in energy-efficient vending machines, entrepreneurs can enhance their sustainability efforts and create a positive impact on the environment.
In conclusion, starting a vending machine business can be a lucrative venture. With the right strategies and a solid plan, you can tap into a market that is constantly growing. If you want to learn more about how to start a vending machine business in 2023, check out our website. We provide step-by-step guides and valuable resources to help you get started. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create a successful business in the vending machine industry. Visit our website today and take the first step towards financial freedom.

Before going into it, I want to mention how this post was inspired by three things. One was user u/HastyvonFuego2 and their post on going down the rabbit hole on the Kendrick sub last week. It was also inspired by Childish Gambino’s first album release in nearly 6 years where I have been sitting on this idea for a while but he inspired me to finally post this week like he did (never posted on Reddit at all before so be gentle if I am not doing it right)! I was also inspired by an interview Bino gave to GQ about breaking down his most iconic characters. In this interview he says how This is America started out as a Drake diss but then he realized the song was too hard for just Drake so he kept working on it. He also talks in this interview about how all culture is about compression. Which means that yes, This is America is about the gun violence and police issues in America, but compressed in this video is also more about where that culture comes from which he shows is from a small handful of rap moguls, namely Drake, Diddy and Jay-Z (bear with me on this long post, I think/hope it will be worth it). At the end I talk briefly about how Little Foot Big Foot might be in this same vein of cultural compression.
[Intro: Choir]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
The beginning of this song has no background music yet, which really gives it an ‘in the beginning’ feel. Then Gambino starts doing his dances with weird facial expressions. I will explain as we go through his video how those expressions and dance moves represent different famous rap moguls. One easy look to pick out right away is Jay-Z’s famous lip curl/growl look that Gambino gives with a head nod repeatedly. The colonial pants have been a hot topic, but since it’s only the pants that are colonial, Gambino is saying the bottom or basis for this violent culture in America is ultimately colonialism. The lyrics ‘Go Away’, are likely foreshadowing the rap moguls wanting other popular rap rivals to ‘go away’ or they will make them (aka murder them) for profit.
[Bridge: Childish Gambino & Young Thug]
We just wanna party
Party just for you
We just want the money
Money just for you (Yeah)
Usually you want money for yourself and to party for yourself, so this is a bit odd. But what Gambino is referring to is similar to these Diddy ‘freakoff parties’ we are hearing about where people who want to be famous are really partying for these rap moguls so they can get close to them. Where they suck up to them saying that they want to earn the mogul money from their songs.
I know you wanna party
Party just for free
Girl, you got me dancin' (Girl, you got me dancin')
Dance and shake the frame (Yeah)
Then this almost feels like the Diddy rebuttal where he’s like ya I know you want to party and you want to do it for free. Like Katt Williams says, “you gotta tell Diddy no”, it is never free to go to those parties. There are always consequences. When you are partying you are dancing, but shaking the frame could refer to how those boundaries/edges are being crossed, lines are blurred, etc.
Then in the video, the fellow who was playing the guitar gets shot and things turn dark from happy music. I believe that this guitar tune is meant to represent 2Pac and Nas’s song Thugz Mansion. It’s one of the original greats from ‘in the beginning’. Nas famously has always had major issues with Jay-Z too (More on why 2Pac and Nas later). It also represents how it was these moguls who murdered 2Pac like Jaguar Wright and Katt Williams keep saying. Where these murders only lead to more money and fame for the killers when the dead artists’ and their music are exploited more easily.
Also note that the gun gets taken away by a school kid after the shooting, more on this later as well.
[Verse 1: Childish Gambino, Young Thug, Blocboy JB & 21 Savage]
This is America (Skrrt, skrrt, woo)
Don't catch you slippin' now (Ayy)
Look how I'm livin' now
Police be trippin' now (Woo)
Yeah, this is America (Woo, ayy)
Guns in my area (Word, my area)
There is a song called Guns in My Area by Lil Weiner and Baby Chapox that paints a vivid picture of the everyday struggles and conflicts faced by those living in communities affected by gun violence. More compression of other songs and the American gun culture.
I got the strap (Ayy, ayy)
I gotta carry 'em
I am almost certain this line is referring to 2Pac’s song Changes. Throughout This is America, Gambino takes lines from Pac’s song: “They get jealous when they see you with your mobile phone” (referred to later in this a Celly, that’s tool) “That's the sound of my tool, you say it ain't cool, My mama didn't raise no fool”
“And as long as I stay black, I gotta stay strapped, And I never get to lay back” It seems like Gambino broke up these lyrics and scattered them throughout his song. This plays into the theme that everyone is using 2Pac and enriching themselves off of his image and music. I show below how this particular section of the video represents Diddy meaning that Diddy himself is exploiting his music (and alleging that Diddy killed Pac?). We could see this exploitation play out at length with how much Diddy milked the death of Biggie like in Every Breath You Take.
Yeah, yeah, I'ma go into this (Ugh)
Yeah, yeah, this is guerilla (Woo)
Yeah, yeah, I'ma go get the bag
The song Gorilla War by $uicideboy$ and Ramirez talks about getting a bag repeatedly in the course. Also in Otis with Kanye and Jay-Z their lyrics talk about going gorilla (I talk about this song more further down), so it could be referring to this as well. It seems like Gambino is trying to pull out lyrics from all across the rap culture and embed them in his song to highlight the ‘cultural compression’.
Yeah, yeah, I'm so cold like, yeah (Yeah)
I'm so dope like, yeah (Woo)
We gon' blow like, yeah (Straight up, uh)
I think that all of the school kids in the video represent all of the rappers that are signed with these big labels. Which is interesting because they are the ones facilitating the guns for the moguls in the video. You can see that the mogul is really focused on the kids and gets agitated and directs them to follow him whenever they stray off a bit like they are his pupils, or like he owns them. Then all of a sudden the camera comes into a scene where you can see more kids shooting a rap video and all shooting money from a Supreme gun. The camera zooms out almost to show you that this is the mogul’s whole rap empire they are looking over, all of their kids in one place (this empire already includes some chaos in the background). It’s subtle but hilarious, Gambino puts fricken chickens on the ground where the kids are filming the rap video. He is directly calling all of these rappers complete chickens for playing up this lifestyle and being the cause of so much chaos rather than coming out and telling somebody what’s really going on. Trying to get their money over everything else.
[Refrain: Choir & Childish Gambino]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me
Get your money, Black man (Get your— Black man)
This is where things start to get interesting. Gambino is literally saying, go tell somebody about this! We all know what’s happening, why don’t you go let people know how bad it is? But like Jaguar Wright said, who do you tell when these moguls have the cops and feds paid off? This video is literally Gambino putting it all out there in this extremely popular song for everyone to see but yet we still just see the dancing and the violent chaos of people and police in the streets and not the root cause that is hidden in plain sight.
The vast majority of those who reviewed this video until now think this scene represents the tragic church shooting in Charleston in 2015. I think it does, but we also have to look at this from an angle of compression.
The people in the choir are all of the people who are currently singing the rap mogul’s praises and who are focused on going and getting what’s owed to them, get their money (who are also profiting off of the dead fellows music since it goes back to the original tune). You can see that each choir member has a distinct look to them. Think about who you are hearing about now who is about to be implicated in these freak offs and evil deeds. Is that Will Smith in the back left corner!? The short bald fellow in the front left maybe Kevin Hart? Rick Ross or TD Jakes maybe the bigger guy towards the back right? When the camera zooms in on the choir right at first to show their faces, doesn’t the guy in the bottom middle look like an uncanny version of Jordan Peele? Or is that meant to be Cuba Gooding Jr? Then just like the guitar fellow at the beginning, bang. You may be singing Diddy’s praises now, but he will cut you down whenever he suddenly feels like it.
I think almost for sure this initial section of the music video is Gambino acting as Diddy, because right after he shoots the choir, he does the elbow pump/chicken dance. At 3:14 in Diddy’s video for P.E. 2000 he does the chicken dance (he is up first in the video and I think Gambino is trying to say here I first present to you the first public enemy of 3 in this song). That elbow dance signals that it was Diddy and this is the end of his section.
[Chorus: Childish Gambino, Young Thug, Slim Jxmmi & Quavo]
This is America (Woo, ayy)
Don't catch you slippin' now (Woo, woo, don't catch you slippin' now)
Don't catch you slippin' now (Ayy, woah)
Look what I'm whippin' now (Slime!)
There have been many accounts of celebrities being given fancy cars after suffering abuse at the hands of these moguls. So these lyrics are saying that you better not slip up and tell people what’s really going on. And if you don’t look at this sweet carecord deal/movie contract I am going to give you. Beiber told this story about Diddy wanting to give him a luxury car.
Now suddenly, the dance switches from the chicken dance to a sudden bicep flex to signal us that we have now moved on from Gambino representing Diddy to our next mogul.
[Verse 2: Childish Gambino, Quavo, Young Thug, 21 Savage & BlocBoy JB]
This next chunk of the video is all about Jay-Z. I think this is the case because he throws his arms up in a bicep flex just like Jay does in the Otis music video at 2:38. And it makes sense Gambino would pick a dance move from a video with a huge American flag in the background to fit the ‘This is America’ theme. Gambino is mocking him saying, who are you really, the pretty guy or this hard gangster like Gambino shows in his dancing. Also right before they pan to the kids on the balcony, Bino also does Jay-Z’s signature lip curl look a couple times so we know it’s him and to signal the end of his section.
Look how I'm geekin' out (Hey)
I'm so fitted (I'm so fitted, woo)
Jay-Z is famous for making the fitted Yankees cap famous, it’s his signature look. More signs this verse is about Jay.
I'm on Gucci (I'm on Gucci)
Jay-Z has been seen in full wallpaper Gucci sweat suits but could also be referring to Gucci Mane who he hung out with at Beyonce’s tour around the time this song was released.
I'm so pretty (Yeah, yeah, woo)
I'm gon' get it (Ayy, I'm gon' get it)
Watch me move (Blaow)
These lines are probably referring to Jay-Z having a hidden preference for men, especially with the way Gambino flicks his wrist in the video when he says I’m so pretty.
This a celly (Ha)
That's a tool (Yeah)
On my Kodak (Woo) Black
I think that “this a celly, that’s a tool” harkens back to 2Pac’s lyrics in Changes where he sings, “They get jealous when they see ya with your mobile phone” then shortly after that he sings about the sound of his tool, referring to shooting a gun. But Childish flips these lyrics on their head. He is saying that it’s really the phone that’s a tool to be using, not a gun. And pans up and shows (the school kids specifically) on the balcony filming everything going on below. He’s telling the kids/other rappers, use your phone as a tool, you can record these bad deeds when you get blackmailed into being at the freak off. That’s how you can kill them and their career, not with a gun. Go tell somebody! There is also the reference to Kodak which plays into the picture taking theme, but also because Kodak Black has been accused of assaulting a teenage girl in a hotel room. So we have a good idea of what Gambino suggests all the kids start filming and collecting evidence of.
Ooh, know that (Yeah, know that, hold on)
Get it (Woo, get it, get it)
Ooh, work it (21)
Now we are onto Drake’s part. In the video Gambino starts doing the BlocBoy JB dance called Shoot. Drake is known for doing these little viral dance moves like in Hotline Bling. But not only that, this dance is also used in the song that both BlocBoy JB and Drake collaborate on for their video Look Alive. It starts at 2:07 in the Look Alive video. So this is Drake’s dance to signal his part is now starting.
Note this is where the pale horse rides by also potentially saying that Drake is one of the horsemen of the apocalypse. Interestingly, Drake’s collab with BlocBoy JB was pretty much the apocalypse for BlocBoy’s career, who hasn’t had a hit since.
Hunnid bands, hunnid bands, hunnid bands (Hunnid bands)
Contraband, contraband, contraband (Contraband)
I got the plug in Oaxaca (Woah)
They gonna find you like "blocka" (Blaow)
Again, we know this is Drake’s section because his song 10 bands starts out by saying “10 bands, 50 bands, 100 bands” almost identical to Bino’s lyrics here. Also Blocka was famously used by Biggie in his song Gimme the Loot which could be referring to Biggie's demise like Pac’s and making money from his death. Everything in this industry originates from pushing drugs, which has been alleged through the trafficking that Diddy, Jay-Z and Drake do through their private jets likely connected to their bosses, the Clive Davises and Lucian Grainges of the world. This escalates rap beefs and the whole culture to the next level where murder is often a consequence for young rappers in their prime when international drug lord money is involved.
An interesting point is this is the only time where Childish was about to shoot someone in the video, but where he didn’t have a school kid either handing him the gun or taking it away carefully from him. (Maybe also a diss at Drake that even though he acts hard he doesn’t shoot, he gets his horseman of the apocalypse to do his dirty deeds for him instead perhaps?). This is the beginning of the end for the rap mogul as he no longer has his kids doing his bidding for him. A simple message to show how the violence can be stopped, that these shootings can end when the kids stop enabling them. So then as soon as he can’t react in that moment and shoot someone his anger is forced to chill out, as shown by smoking a J, and to go back to exploiting the dead man’s music instead. If you don’t put a gun in someone’s hand when they are heated, those feelings too shall pass - kinda feel.
[Refrain: Choir, Childish Gambino, & Young Thug]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
America, I just checked my following list, and
You mothafuckas owe me
Whose voice does that sound like!? It sounds a lot like Diddy to me, public enemy #1. This is basically saying that the moguls are the ones who we all owe it to for all of this glorified gun violence in America. That we owe them way more follows and likes for what a massive influence they have had on the violence and chaos we see in America today.
Grandma told me
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
(1, 2, 3—get down)
In Moneybagg Yo’s song 1, 2, 3, he also has a line that says “1, 2, 3, let’s go!” in a similar vein.
But something interesting I came across was Nas’s song Get Down where they use a sample from James Brown's “The Boss” that sounds extremely similar to the way Gambino screams “Get Down!” Which would fit well if the guitar singer from the beginning is meant to be Nas and Pac doing Thugz Mansion.
Also make sure you check out Nas’s song Get Down so that you can hear how much Jay-Z outright copied this song for The Story of OJ. From the musical structure with the piano and interwoven samples right down to the theme reiterated by the sample at the end of Nas’s song: “If that’s how our people are gonna get down, how are we ever gonna get up?”
SZA
Finally to wrap up the video, I have been stumped for a long time as to why SZA is randomly at the end of this video sitting on one of the cars. But I think I finally know why and it reconfirms that this last scene is all about Drake. If you watch Drake’s music video for Worst Behavior (not very Canadian of him to spell behaviour that way I might add) you will see Drake rapping and dancing with a few cars surrounding him and one of those cars has other rappers making cameos in it. In Gambino’s video SZA represents that car with a famous cameo. I think this is further confirmed when the black edges of the video start closing inwards at the end of This is America, the exact same way that Worst Behavior ends. So why SZA as the cameo then? Cause it reminds people that Drake is a p*do.
This is from an article in the Rolling Stone: In 2020, Drake revealed publicly that he and SZA had dated over a decade ago, well before she was an established artist (her earliest music goes back to around 2012; her critical breakthrough, Ctrl, came in 2017). On 21 Savage’s “Mr. Right Now,” Drake rapped about a newer fling who was a fan of SZA’s: “Yeah, said she wanna fuck to some SZA, wait / ‘Cause I used to date SZA back in ’08 / If you cool with it, baby, she can still play.” A few days later, SZA responded, corroborating Drake’s claim with a slight correction: they dated in 2009, when both would have been over 18. Since SZA would not have turned 18 until late 2008, she wanted to set the record straight. “in this case a year of poetic rap license mattered 🥴lol I think he jus innocently rhymed 08 w wait [sic],” she tweeted. “I just didn’t want anybody thinking anything underage or creepy was happening . Completely innocent . Lifetimes ago . [sic]”
If you have to specifically say something isn’t creepy and distance yourself from it being lifetimes ago, it usually is creepy. Drake would’ve been 22 when she was 17. Metro Boomin also happens to be on the Mr. Right Now track. He is currently in trouble for resurfaced old tweets showing how Metro used to tweet disgusting things about what he wanted to do to underage girls. Interestingly, Metro Boomin is also now beefing with Drake.
Drake doing his dance on the car of the original musician’s music seems to be accusing Drake directly of stealing 2Pac’s music. Orlando Brown recently said the cryptic statement that “Drake is Pac” which likely means he stole 2Pac’s approach/style/audience after his death. Gambino did some good foreshadowing here too with the recent AI release Drake put out of 2Pac.
This dance scene also signals that the Drake section is now over.
[Outro: Young Thug]
You just a black man in this world
You just a barcode, ayy
You just a black man in this world
Drivin' expensive foreigns, ayy
You just a big dawg, yeah
I kenneled him in the backyard
No, probably ain't life to a dog
For a big dog
The outro lyrics speak to how these gatekeepers keep black men down and control them with things like being forced to wear a dress to become famous or to submit to homosexual/p*do acts.. In the video, as I mentioned above, the black edges close in on Drake’s dancing scene in This is America. But they don’t completely close and end things like they do in the Worst Behavior video. Instead, in Gambino’s video, the camera pans to show the mogul running for his life with Young Thug’s lyrics almost like a quiet echo in the background. He isn’t running from the cops though, he’s running from the kids and from the public. When I mentioned earlier that the kids not handing over the last gun before Drake’s scene signalled the beginning of the end for the moguls, this is that conclusion. Where it is showing that if all the kids come together to stop enabling and rather expose the moguls, people will be chasing these bastards down once we realize what has been going on behind the curtain. Then the song that Young Thug is singing can just be a quiet echo of the way things were in the past.
If you don’t think Gambino would be this deep and that I went too far down the rabbit hole, do a Google search on the calculations that he came up with for why he sings about loving until 3005 in his song. He seems to go real deep with his lyrics. So a big question this leaves us with is, what did Childish Gambino witness in the rap industry? His whole rap career plays out like he is trying to avoid industry norms.
Even in Sweatpants, he has lyrics like:
No hands like soccer teams and y'all fuck boys like Socrates
You niggas ain't coppin' these, niggas ain't lookin' like me (Nah)
Nah, I ain't checkin' I.D. (Nah), but I bounce 'em with no problem
Seems like he is trying to make it really clear across his catalogue of music that he isn’t a p*do but that other rappers are. Where he is saying that he doesn’t need to ID his potential partners because he can tell they are obviously too young and that’s not hard to do.
Tell 'em, Problem (Problem!)
I'm winnin', yeah, yeah, I'm winnin' (What?)...
Rich kid, asshole, paint me as a villain
So who was trying to paint him as a villain, Drake? And that’s why the diss was originally meant for him?
Don't be mad 'cause I'm doing me better than you doing you…
Better than you doing you
Fuck it, what you gon' do? (What?!)
He’s taunting the other rappers cause he knows they can’t say shit if they are creeps. He has the same sentiment in Bonfire “It’s a bonfire, turn the lights out, I’m burning everything you mother fuckers talk about.”
Childish Gambino has always refrained from talking about the meaning of This is America whenever he is asked, and I can only assume that all of this is why.
Little Foot Big Foot
Now with his new release, Little Foot Big Foot and applying cultural compression to it, it has me wondering if he is referring to Megan Thee Stallion and the Nicki beef? People like Nicki (calling Megan Big Foot) have been claiming for some time she wasn’t even shot in the foot by Tory Lanez. There were many people laughing and making fun of Megan over getting shot. Which could be an interesting story for Childish to tell to represent how crazy this violent culture has gotten that people just laugh and blame the victim now when you get shot. Also a good metaphor for things like ‘shooting yourself in the foot’ for not having a lawyer look over potentially predatory industry contracts like in the beginning of his video. That you want to get in the cool kids club so bad you overlook it. Not as sure on this one though since the song just came out and I have only heard it a few times.
One last thing that is really interesting, there have been tons of artists on podcasts like Shay Shay talking about the strings these ultra rich moguls can pull. Like buying awards or gatekeeping people from being in the industry at all. There was even a story, I think maybe it was Gene Deal who told it, that when Killer Mike won at the grammys that Jay-Z was so angry he made sure to mess up his night by getting him locked up as soon as he left the awards stage. These moguls are extremely powerful and have an incredible amount of sway in the world/industry. If you check out Gambino’s profile on Youtube, his old music videos keep getting taken down, like Bonfire for example is just gone. Fans have been having to upload the videos themselves. There is a reply to a comment, on one of the fan uploaded vids, from Gambino’s account himself when someone asks why the videos are being taken down. His account just replies “Noone knows why :(“ Seems a bit odd all things considered and like maybe he has been at the mercy of these gatekeepers for going against the system.
I am so curious to know what the rest of you think about all of this!

Hi guys - currently creating a website and would love to implement some cool spline-ness on it. Primarily around mouse effects when a user moves around and interacts with an image etc.
It will defo be beyond me, so I was wondering if there’s such a thing as a spine freelancer? And if so, where’s the best place to fine one?
Thanks!

So I recently installed an EcoBee 3 Lite into my home. Install went well enough, wires matched up, etc.
That is, until I went to turn the power on.
The EcoBee was not turning on. So I went to turn the power off, to double check my wiring.
But to my surprise, as soon as I turned the power the the heat off, the EcoBee woke up and worked (cooling-wise).
I do have a heat pump outside, so out of curiosity, I turned on the heat and set it 10 degrees higher so it could "heat". When the air turned on, I noticed it was NOT warm, in fact, it was cold air.
So I went outside to check my heat pump, and it was on. But I was not getting hot air.
Now, I am completely confused.
Attached are images of the old thermostat, the EcoBee installed, and my breaker box.
https://imgur.com/a/LxVRKtL
As soon as I turn the breaker in the top-right to the right (which was the position it was in BEFORE I started the install), the EcoBee will turn off.
As of this moment, all breakers on the right side are flipped to the left, and everything seems to be working still. Does anyone have ideas on what I can do?

Link to AO3
chapters 1&2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8
chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
The Academy looked normal enough from the distance but blew Gentry’s mind when she finally entered it. First of all, the way in lay through a massive winter garden full of the most luxurious botanical collection she’s ever seen. Not only that, but it seemed to be arranged in a way that offered spaces for hanging out as well as paths in and out. Here and there, G noticed little nooks with people’s voices coming from them and small murmuring streams gleamed in the sun that blazed through the transparent walls and roof. This place looked magical and invited to stay, enjoy the refreshing coolness and peace of mind. But Gentry had a good enough rest in her communal room the night before and was eager to start working on her first assignment that the System had spat out with a congratulating letter. Figuring out the controls of her new wristcomm was simple enough.
DEAR GENTRY!
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO INFORM YOU THAT YOU ARE THE FIRST CONTESTANT TO CLEAR ALL CHALLENGES AND OBTAIN THE STATUS OF AN ASHTAPADAN NEWCOMER! YOUR MEDICAL DATA HAS BEEN ANALYSED AND FOUND ACCEPTABLE.
IN THE ATTACHMENT TO THIS LETTER YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF RULES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND IDEAS THAT WILL DEFINITELY HELP YOU IN THE FIRST WEEKS IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY BUT WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND FINDING A BUDDY THAT WOULD BE YOUR MAIN GUIDE AND POTENTIALLY A NEW GREAT FRIEND! IT CAN BE ANY CITIZEN OR A MORE EXPERIENCED NEWCOMER.
YOUR CURRENT POINTS: 0
WHY NOT START EARNING SOME WITH YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT?
START ANY BEGINNER COURSE AT THE ACADEMY AND KEEP YOUR ATTENDANCE RATE OVER 80% — WORTH 50 POINTS
(OPTIONAL) FIND SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO BECOME YOUR BUDDY — WORTH 20 POINTS
Without stopping to check if the vending machines offered anything good, G made her way through the dreamy garden and entered the inner yard that looked just like everything here: nothing too eye-catching at first glance but secrets hidden everywhere.
One thing she had already noticed was that most of the people had another piece of technology on their bodies besides the comm on their wrists: a sort of extendable visor that some of them kept engaged at all times. Those who were focused on the screen had a comical look on their faces, a thousand-mile stare, eyes wide even as they were talking to each other or going about their business. It was unclear yet why they would engage the screen for so long though. No one needed this much time to read a notification or check a map.
Take a group of young students by the fountain, for example. They seemed deep in conversation with each other yet their pupils didn’t focus on the person in front, but on the translucent screen over the top part of their faces. Was it some kind of virtual reality helmet?
If so, G needed one, too.
Perhaps she’d be able to make new friends this way.
There was something else that caught Gentry’s eye. Despite her initial disappointment about the severe lack of male hotness in the streets, people of both sexes seemed to really care about their appearance. Even those who probably weren’t naturally stunning were very interesting to look at not least because of the crazy fashion sense everyone here had. Never before had G seen so much variety in what everyone wore: countless variations on different national garments, some looking very traditional, like something one could see in a theatre, some — futuristic uniforms straight out of a sci-fi movie. It didn’t seem like anyone was concerned with gender norms here, too. At least in when it came to the outfits.
G hoped she didn’t look like a creepy stalker when her gaze lingered on a pair of very nicely shaped legs stretching from underneath a plaid skirt that belonged to a young man in the group sat by the edge of the water. A pair of snow-white knee-highs, flat loafers and neat raven hair with some blue streaks completed the image. His clothes fit him very well and weren’t inappropriate in the least: something an old money university student would wear.
A female student that is.
And he wasn’t alone. Here and there, among more conventionally dressed people, there were people wearing all sorts of things: a crazy mix of goth-like apparel but barefoot, men and women with heads covered with scarves, people in strange jewelery that looked like it weighed a ton and so on. Most importantly, no one seemed to care what the others looked like.
Was it paradise? Looks like the demo didn’t lie: it was heaven on earth.
The young man in the middle of the student gaggle caught her staring after all. With a dazzling smile, he waved in her direction as if they were great friends, and G waved back, face heating, hoping there wasn’t anyone behind her this tease was actually waving at. Thank god his shoes weren’t heeled, otherwise she would definitely have a heart attack right here, in the middle of the common area, on her first day.
Did he notice her ogling his legs? Judging by the giggles of his friend's entourage, they all did. The young flirt covered his mouth, eyes wide in mock indignation and pulled his knees in, as if hiding them from the improper attention, getting even more laughter from the rest of the company. G averted her eyes and tried to calm her breathing as she was on her way through the yard again, but before they all disappeared from her field of view, she noticed the coquette stretch his legs again and fall back on a friend of his, embracing the lucky man’s neck in an affectionate gesture, already forgetting G existed.
There was no way she wasn’t going to make some pretty boy do the same for her. Forget the assignment, put that in the list of her top priorities!
At first, Gentry was lost when she failed to find any kind of class schedule and there was no one to ask at the reception desk.
Why have a reception desk if nobody’s on duty?
Soon, however, it occurred to her that there was no schedule: each room within the wide marble corridors had a small display with a handwritten message scribbled on it.
Bachata for beginners
Product engineering (Tuesday class cancelled)
Colloidal chemistry (revision today)
None of these were the Communications course that Jey was talking about, but the variety definitely made G’s eyebrows go up.
Was she just supposed to barge into any class and sign up? Did she have to sign up later if she liked the subject? Was it ok to choose any?
After some wandering around, too scared to just walk in uninvited or ask others for directions, she finally stumbled across the door saying:
Communication & decision making course (Newcomers welcome)
With the desks arranged in a horseshoe and the people of various ages that were also apparently Newcomers, it all seemed comfortably casual. Everyone was chatting as she walked in, paying G no mind so she busied herself with the wristcomm that dinged at exactly the right time to save her the embarrassment of looking for a desk.
Would you like to enroll in this course? Scroll down to read the description.
Was this damn thing a spying device? Did it just know which room she was in? Jey didn’t joke when she said the little thing was going to be her primary aid!
“Are you looking for somewhere to sit?” called a young red-haired woman at one of the paired desks. “Here, this one is free.” She had the auglasses on, like everyone else, but they were off, showing her lively face and a pair of sharp green eyes.
“Thanks,” G said, gratefully taking the offer. “I’m new here, don’t know how things work yet.”
“It’s alright, the course is very engaging, you’ll love it.” — the woman held out a hand — “I’m Sereen, what’s your name?”
G shook the warm palm. “It’s Gentry. And by new I mean I’m new to Ashtapada, not just the course. Literally arrived yesterday.”
“Really?” — S looked surprised — “Everything must be very confusing!”
“You have no idea,” G smiled. “I’m glad someone understands. Everyone’s friendly but acts as if giant mechanical dogs in the streets and a moss garden in the lobby are the most normal things ever.”
“Don’t worry, I was just like you when I first arrived, you’ll get the hang of it soon.”
“Hope so! Is that the lecturer?”
“Shhh...”
Just like everything else in Ashtapada, the lecture started out normal enough only to unfold into something completely alien to how things were normally done.
Apparently, the Communications course involved learning rationality, debating, logic, etiquette and god knew what else. It was supposed to give the future citizens tools to, well, communicate. G was given a booklet with some ground rules for beginners that included entries that sounded like something Sun Tzu would say if he studied debating instead of warcraft.
“The purpose of any argument is not to win it and not to change the other disputant’s mind. It’s to find the truth.”
“Always argue in good faith.”
“Don’t attack your opponent.”
“If attacked, dismiss the attack as if it didn’t happen.”
Well, hopefully, it only meant verbal attacks! G knew too well that when it came to physical violence, it was hard to ignore it.
Most of the rules looked straightforward enough, some were confusing.
“Seek challenge to your convictions. Avoid echo chambers.”
“Don’t seek being right.”
“Be mindful of your audience including yourself.”
“Avoid “Empty arguments” that don’t bring everyone closer to the goal of finding the truth.”
The lecturer, a willowy man of about sixty that drowned in his tweed jacket, started the class with a bit of small talk with the regulars after distributing the booklets to all first-timers. He made sure to give it to G face down so that his photo under the “About the author” title didn’t go unnoticed. He also made most of the “talk” part himself.
“I never took part in a debate,” G told Sereen, who was patiently waiting for the class to begin. “And never seen anything like these rules. Is it actually useful?”
“Oh, believe me, professor Poe will be ecstatic to talk to you about them. He can’t not start discussing his subject at the slightest provocation. Look.” — she raised her hand — “Professor, how was your weekend?”
The man wearily smiled. “That might seem like a meaningless question, Sereen, but it’s actually very much related to the topic we are going to cover today.”
“See?” — S raised her eyebrows with a suppressed smile. G giggled. This promised to be interesting.
“Our friend Sereen is a very polite person, isn’t she?” — Poe smiled at the class but his eyes glided over everyone’s faces, gaze turned inwards like he was reading an invisible text written on the walls. “But as kind as she is, I don’t think she’s actually interested in how my weekend went. Small talk is just a social custom we engage in to strengthen our social relations. Why don’t we just start a day by saying “Hi! I value our relationship and would like to fulfill my societal role!” to everyone we know? I would definitely prefer THAT over the small talk! He-he!”
The audience laughed politely. The guy seemed alright.
“However, just as we use different tools to fulfill this role in different contexts, so can the context of a logical problem steer our thinking towards a rational, that is, right, and an irrational, that is, wrong, answer.”
“Well, that’s not a given,” Gentry mumbled under her breath but it went unnoticed by S, who was already immersed in the lecture.
“Consider the famous René Descartes’s quote "Cogito, ergo sum". Who can translate it from Latin?” — the board behind the thin, almost transparent man glowed, displaying the words.
“Is it really a Beginner’s course?” G asked Sereen in a low voice but her companion was already raising her hand, together with a dozen other students.
“I think, therefore I am,” she said after a curt nod of the lecturer’s permission.
“Very good,” he continued, pleased. “I taught you well. Those of you who attend my lectures regularly are familiar with the notion of solipsism, which states that the only thing we can be sure about is our own thoughts.”
Gentry looked at S with raised eyebrows.
If this is an introductory course, what was the advanced like?
Sereen didn’t seem to perplexed. She was fully following the thread.
“However,” professor Poe said. “I am going to challenge that notion by demonstrating that we can’t trust our own mind when it comes to perceiving reality.”
He looked at the audience with a quizzical eye, and pointed at Gentry with a long bony finger “You, new girl. I want you to close your eyes.”
Why her?
Gentry was only happy to hide behind her eyelids. No doubt the whole room was now staring at her.
Through the blood rushing in her ears, she heard the old man’s voice, “Who was sitting beside you before you closed your eyes?”
“My new friend Sereen,” G answered and heard a little gasp of appreciation from the woman.
“So you know she existed as long as you two were whispering behind my back. However, now that you can’t see or hear her. How do you know she exists?”
“Well, I can reach with my hand and touch her,” Gentry said, demonstrating.
“Yes, this is what most people answer,” Poe said. “You can open your eyes now. But let me ask you this: how would you know it was her, an not some other person that took her place?”
Gentry’s intuition was right: everyone was staring, as if waiting for her answer.
“Well, I suppose— ”
“Hush, it was a rhetorical question,” the professor cut her off. “The correct answer is that you can’t know that. We think we can trust our senses or at least our thoughts, but this is also false. Everyone, look out of the window.”
Everyone did.
The day was as fine as Gentry was annoyed.
What did this pops think of himself?
“I’d ask what you see, but I already know the answer,” he went on. “All of you would say “the sky”. And all of you would be wrong, because sky doesn’t exist. We only see the endless emptiness of the outer space, but perceive it as a blue dome. It’s an illusion, a phantom, born out of our collective unconscious.”
Sereen whispered, lost in the lecture, “Ah, yes, Carl Jung.”
What?
Was it supposed to be obvious?
“But listen to this,” he continued, voice booming like a demiurge’s in the completely silent room. “Listen to this. How many words is it? Listentothis. Our common sense says it’s three words while in reality it’s just a string of sounds I an producing with my mouth. I am literally making you hallucinate the spaces between the words I’m saying. With knowing that our perception is so flawed, how can we know that we even know how to think?”
“I’m sorry, professor, I disagr...” G started but got struck down by his serrated gaze.
“I’ll invite questions at the end, young miss,” he chopped out.
Sereen’s eyes were sympathetic. It looked like most if not all of professor Poe’s students had learned not to interrupt him.
He went on, “Anyway, the fact that you even understand what I am saying is in itself incredible and shouldn’t be possible.”
“But it IS possible, right?” G whispered to Sereen. “I mean, aren’t we understanding this as he speaks?”
“PLEASE refrain from talking unless asked!” professor Poe roared.
Impressive lung capacity for such a frail human being!
G begrudgingly did as she was told. The guy seemed to be enjoying this power trip a bit too much to her taste.
“Now, since most of you,” he put some emphasis on the word to shut up another pair of whispering students. “Most of you think you comprehend my words, you must know that there is a way to tell that something is real, even though we can’t rely on our senses for perception. I’m giving you a minute to discuss with your partners what it might be.”
G considered it. She and Sereen exchanged equally confused glances.
Like a dutiful student, S started summarising Poe’s arguments but Gentry listened with only half an ear. She felt that behind all this over-thinking was a clear and simple answer.
She watched the professor walk along the aisles, tuning into one or another conversation before leaving each with a smug head shake of disapproval.
What was there to think about? Even if they didn’t see the world precisely as it was, something was definitely real, right? The chair she felt under her buttocks, the air around, the low murmur of the students. The annoying professor that… looked a little too translucent.
Gentry waited for the man to approach their desks and tune into Sereen’s musings. As he came so near they could reach out and touch him, Gentry did just that.
To her utter shock, her hand went through the old jacket and sent a wave of static over the professor’s figure, his whole form glitching and flickering.
Professor Poe was a hologram!
Unable to help herself, Gentry said, “No wonder you don’t think anything is real, Professor, you are hardly real yourself!”
The whole roomful of people stared, transfixed, at the surreal scene of a student’s arm disappearing into the teacher’s abdomen.
Gentry looked back at Sereen in search of support.
Was it laughter in her eyes?
Poe’s blood drained from his face, the mouth slacked open, twitching as if trying to form some words, but none came out.
Sereen chimed in, “You never told us you were a simulation, Professor.”
“Out!” Poe gritted lowly so that no one really heard him.
“I’m sorry?” G asked, innocently.
“Out of my class!” he exploded, jumping out of Gentry’s reach with an enraged grimace. “I am as real as you are!”
G stood up and looked at her hand then back at Professor Poe.
How much rage could storm in those watery eyes?
Then, she winked at her new friend.
“Let’s go then, shall we?” she said.
Sereen looked lost for a second, her eyes darting pack and forth between Gentry and Poe. Then, her gaze seemed to cloud a little, as if she retreated into her own head, but when she resurfaced, she nodded with a mischievous smile.
Both young women left the room, the classmates’ sympathetic silence and Poe’s angry seething seeing them off.
***
“What a way to start my first day,” Gentry said. “My hands are still trembling a bit.”
She and S were calming their nerves in the green winter garden, the soothing sound of the little running streamlet at their feet a welcome distraction.
“Believe it or not, his course is actually quite useful,” Sereen laughed. “Who would have thought the old Poe is actually not human? I guess we never thought of poking him in the stomach before. This is going to be the talk of the Academy for the next month or so!”
“Is it? I feel bad now. I guess I’m not getting any points for attending this lecture, right?” — Gentry checked her wristcomm — “It says “zero progress” and something else… ad.. Honi… adhonim…”
Sereen laughed, “Yeah, you adhominem’ed good old Poe, no wonder you got zero credit!”
“What does it mean?”
“You’ve seen the rules of learning and discourse, right?” S said. “There are no-nos, things that aren’t allowed, especially when it comes to Rationality classes and the like. Ad Hominem means an attack on the speaker, not their argument. It isn’t exactly what you did, but I guess it’s the closest thing!”
“Ad Hominem, huh,” G said. “Well, I guess I deserve it then. Thanks for standing by me.”
If it wasn’t for Sereen, G wasn’t sure she would be going to return to the Academy any time soon!
“You just chose a wrong course as your first class, G,” — no doubt about that! — “But another lecturer who works here is much more open-minded and he also teaches Rationality. I think you’ll enjoy him more than our old Poe. His next class is in a couple of days. Wanna come?”
***
DEAR GENTRY!
CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING AN OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT! 20 POINTS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO YOUR STATUS COUNTER.

Hi All - I am look at what MJ is doing with reference codes (see aiiqportal dot com) - it's cool and very useful to figure out what went into creating an image. Do we have something similar for dalle2?

Welcome back to my running series of WWF PPV Reviews from a ‘blind’ perspective (I have no idea what’s going to happen; the results, the feuds or how good any of the matches will be). I have always heard stories of the attitude era and golden age but never watched it myself so I set myself to watching every single PPV event chronologically. I am also watching Wrestling Bios ‘reliving the war’ series to keep me updated inbetween the events with the feuds, and to get excited about upcoming matches.
Before I review the matches, based on the past few episodes of raw and last PPVs I’ll let you know, going into the event, which match I’m most excited for and which feud I’m most excited to see.
Is it even a question? Even though I haven’t watched wwf during this era I’ve heard stories of how fantastic Austin vs Bret hart at WM13 is, feud and match wise this is my most hyped match of the night.
WWF Wrestlemania 13 1997 Review
Four way Tag Team Elimination Match 1.75/5
Rocky Maivia vs Sultan 1.75/5
HHH vs Goldust 2.5/5
Vader & Mankind vs Owen Hart & Bulldog 2.5/5
Stone Cold vs Bret Hart 6/5
Nation of Domination vs LOD & Johnson 3/5
Undertaker vs Sycho sid 1.5/5
In the opener of the match I thought it was just an 8 man slug fest will pinfalls to eliminate each person as they all just start beating the sh*t out of each other but then they go back to the usual tag team corners, a little disappointing but let’s see what this match has got.
The godwins are growing on me… just a bit, not very much but a bit; spitting on people, dancin around like mad men they’re an okay watch from time to time I won’t lie. What happened to lafon and furnas in this match though? Did they just disappear? It felt like a blink and you’ll miss it I swear they didn’t even get in the match but maybe I’m crazy. In terms of an opener with tag teams this was an okay match it wasn’t anything special but it did its job. The headbangers did some cool aerial moves, trying to prove themselves was good to see but not too much to say. It was a little messy with teams literally eliminating themselves, but nothing botched.
It feels like there’s been next to no build up to this sultan rocky match, it was just thrown together as, in terms of main attractions, the wwf was still pretty thin.
The match gets going and rocky is firing on all four cylinders tonight, he’s improved extremely quickly from his first match, show boating, over hyping the smallest of moves he’s getting exciting to watch. The same however can’t really be said about sultan, as soon as he gets control the match really slows down and gets pretty boring (holding a chin lock for all eternity). Rock gets back in control and here we go, he’s really feeling it tonight and his moves are looking really clean, especially his punch exchanges. This match wasn’t really anything too special but it’s great to see Rocky starting to warm up in the WWF. Sultan and sheik assault Rocky after the match and oh my god the splash from the top rope looked so painful for Rocky 💀. Then Rocky’s dad comes out to help and we get a great crowed pop after rock and his dad both slam the iron sheik, this was actually a really cool moment; father and son in the ring. The crowd still isn’t behind Rocky all that much yet still, which is kinda surprising as his wrestling is good to watch but I suppose his character itself is a little bland.
Chyna and HHH come to the ring and the camera pans to a couple of fans signs “HHH + CHYNA WHO HAS THE WILLY” which were f***ing hilarious, the public is always on point. It’s also insane how massive Chyna is here, she actually looks bigger than triple H. You would not wanna walk past her down a dark alley.
Goldust and HHH actually had a really good match, everything they did looked really clean, it was fast paced, good wrestling shown and an okay feud to fuel the fire between them. This is the best I’ve seen Goldust in a while and HHH is really building his repertoire of moves up; They had some great chemistry as well and the crowd starts getting into the match towards the end, a stark contrast to previous events where it would almost be silence until the main event. The match ends with marlena being shoved into Chyna and being literally tossed around like a rag doll I’m surprised her head didn’t come off, triple H hits a pedigree and it’s 1 2 3 goodnight Goldust. There wasn’t anything crazy but I enjoyed watching this match, well paced, good physical moments including Goldust going face first from the top rope into the side of the ring which looked really good.
Mankind and Vader REALLY work as a concept for a team in the WWF during this era for me, very intimidating but also two great entertaining wrestlers. Mix them with Owen hart and bulldog and you’ve got a great match on your hands… right? Well turns out maybe not. The two teams didn’t particularly click well as they were both heel teams with no baby face. This being said they still put on a good show (my god bulldog is incredibly strong to hold mankind up like he did and then do the same to Vader!?) but it wasn’t anywhere near as good as it should’ve been on paper. That finish as well? Why… I don’t know why they’d book that finish in a wrestlemania event, a double count out? 😴. I still think it had its good moments and I did enjoy watching it but like I say it wasn’t nearly as good as it should’ve been.
Now… I’ve heard so much about this match with stone cold and Bret hart at WM13, so I did have high expectations going in, and with a fantastic build up, an iconic series of promos from either side I was hyped I was ready willing and able to sit back and enjoy whatever I was about to see.
I gotta say it exceeded every single expectation I had. The crowd from the first punch to the end submission was absolutely electric, they ate up every single second of this match and I can’t blame them it was awesome!!! This is now in my top 5 matches of all time, maybe even top 3, it had everything I could’ve asked for. No interference from anyone else no weird ending no stupid sh*t going on just two legends having a full on war at the biggest wrestling event of the year. I also love how Austin never tapped and literally passed out from the pain which was a really good booking choice to keep his character still looking really strong. We had blood we had chairs we had ring bells and fighting in the crowd I’m gushing about this match. It was perfectly paced as well even when it ‘slowed down’ it was entertaining. Some iconic images of stone cold in the shooting star press, face covered in blood. Absolutely flawless match and the best match I’ve seen so far in this era. The crowd ends up backing Steve Austin for his efforts and because Bret decided to continue the assault after the bell, finally hearing that deafening ‘Austin’ chant throughout the stadium was really cool. I can’t say enough, if you haven’t seen this match go and watch it right this second you’re in for a massive treat. And this match gets its own 6/5 rating which I think I’ll introduce for matches that are all time legendary matches, in my opinion, and they aren’t gunna come out often but I have to, the whole thing was simply in its own league. WOWOW!
I’m just finding it hard to put into words how entertaining this was I was glued to the screen. A brutal submission when Bret Hart is pulling Steve’s leg off almost outside the ring and Steve is in the ring had me wincing. Also Austin’s selling, and his hype between shots shouting at Bret and giving him the double trouble with his hands it’s all just so iconic, this match must truly have cemented Austin as a main eventer going forward.
This whole match just screamed Attitude era style match and I seriously believe this must have been extremely influential on the wwf going into the coming years. Having seen Austin’s matches in the future I have to say this has got to be one of if not his best technical wrestling match of all time, I can see both wrestlers being even bigger stars after this match it was that good. Top 3 all time favourite matches, wow, well done to both of them for this. Experiencing this for the first time was magical I can’t imagine watching it live or being there, I’m very jealous. It’s currently a Monday evening and I was shouting and on my feet and as I write this I’m pacing back and forth with glee. I’m gunna have to take a break before the next match 😂.
It’s a shame that hart vs Austin wasn’t the main event because there’s absolutely no way anyone could upstage up to the match we’ve just seen, but I’ll try to go into the next couple of matches not comparing it to the previous one.
The LOD vs NOD match was absolute chaos I was literally laughing because it was so fun to watch, I had no clue what was going on there was so much to look at and once again this was another attitude era style match. It was pretty entertaining. It felt a little experimental and I would’ve liked to have seen at least a little bit of wrestling but during the whole bout there was maybe 3 or 4 moves that weren’t hitting each other with trash cans, literally hanging each other with nooses, freezing with fire extinguisher it was nuts.
We’re really feeling the influence of ECW in this match and it was great to hear the crowd so alive and enjoying it, they were probably riding the high of the legendary match we’d just seen as well as me. This was the first time seeing LOD for me and it was great, the reminded me of the Dudley boyz which are my second favourite tag team of all time. But seeing weapons finally introduced into the wwf was amazing and I’m super excited to see future brawls I think this is all taking a huge leap in the right direction for making mid card matches more enjoyable. Post match LOD hits a double flying closeline and on two NOD members and it was a decently booked bout. Not the best but good fun.
Shawn Michaels makes his way to the ring and like him or not it’s always great to see Shawn at wrestlemania, and here we go I’m ready for a great main event, obviously knowing the streak I know the outcome but I’m excited to see what the two monsters of the WWF can do in the ring. Side note, it’s really cool seeing undertaker come to the ring in his vintage attire.
Bret hart comes to the ring just as the match is about to get underway to fully engage with his heel turn in the WWF and I think it felt… a little bit out of place but he gets hit with a power-bomb to the applause of the audience which was pretty satisfying. Let’s get into this massive main event match, and oh boy… the main event.
I was majorly disappointed at this main event especially after the matches we’d just seen it just did not hit at all for me. It never felt like it really got going even in the last part with undertaker kicking out of a tombstone piledriver to a big crowd pop… it just didn’t feel like a main event.
Dont get me wrong Sid’s character is cool and he plays it well but he just cannot perform on the big stage with the big players of the business. I don’t know how you can book such a perfect match like Bret and Austin and then have this as the main event. Bret shouldn’t have interfered either the undertaker did not need it at all. The coolest part of this match was the undertakers iconic celebration afterwards. Please don’t let Sid main event again, he had a great push and was fun to watch but he just can’t do these matches when the time calls for something of this magnitude. Very disappointing, very slow match, and I won’t lie probably the worst main event I’ve seen on my journey through this era. I also looked it up and apparently sid literally sh*t his pants during this match? I’d love to know if that’s true or not. But yeah that’s all I really have to say about this one, not much happened and there was an extremely tedious segment in the middle of the match where sid was going to the second ring rope and dropping a double fist on undertaker which seemed to go on for so long and it was just boring.
Overall the event was pretty decent but the main event really let it down. I won’t let that sour how amazing Bret vs Austin was though, they truly carried this event and elevated it majorly and it’s worth watching even if just for that one match. I enjoyed most of the mid card alongside that as well but with all the build up to such a let down, actually think the main event was the worst match of the night, and that’s coming from a massive undertaker fan.
Overall rating 3.25/5

It's really not going to look like anything special tbh. The Vocab cards would just be the Spanish word on the front then, answer on the back with an example sentence and a contextualizing image or clip on the back... if relevant.
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But I wasted alot of time curating a personalized example sentence for (almost) every single vocab word I discover. Key word is discover imo.
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Right now my example sentences contain a simple concept I already comprehend, atleast within the context of that sentence, for the word that I am learning to be applied to. Like my lunes card is ´´lunes es antes martes´´. As I create the vocab cards I try to keep main vocab word part as the primary focus in usage and less that of the sentence itself for the sake of simplicity which means that the vocab card usually ends up as the first word of the sentence unless I personally see no reason actually care. Like another card I have that was luckily easy to make for desde is ´´el imperio de mongol duró desde a 1206 a 1368''. Every example I create is with words I already know or do not feel a remote need to understand - to understand the sentence. but IDK. Also I'm more concerned with audio than I am with imagery though. But If I could make the back into a really simple clip and very quickly that would be nice, but I dont care about imagery too much as most of it is going to end up in immersion anyways. Sound matters for me though. Sound is really so i can read something out loud before I hear what it sounds like, which helps me make comparisons and judge myself while I flag cards to make filtered decks out of later. And of course, for words that I already knew before starting studying I do not even consider making vocab cards out of as it will be fluff. completely random words like mañana or lanzar are weirdly glued to my head specifically because I have a specific memory with them. like for lanzar I watched a little game trailer and a text prompt showed up saying ''lanzar roca'' for this fucking kid to just launch a whole ass rock at a dude across a bridge. which is goofy as fuck. the game was called pedros adventures btw.
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Also on the back of one of my vocab cards for the word 4th... I literally just put ''cuarto y cuarto'' fucking 10 times. because if you say cuarto 10x fast, it sounds like Squidward in Japanese which is fucking HILARIOUS.
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But if I could imagine imagery in a specific way it would really just be for nouns and numbers... and anything that has a very concrete meaning with just an image. like for example, you could have a game where an image flashes on the screen and you need to translate that image in your head or if you want by typing it or speaking it out loud. And you get feedback for elements of the image relayed... but I haven't spent much time thinking about that kind of thing cos its not on any to do list, but it would be pretty cool.
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its quite easy to curate examples as I'm watching these dreaming Spanish videos which is why id like to make some kind of sentence cards out of the clips. this is really because there is like a mix in my head between a sentence card and an example sentence on the back of a vocab card. Vocab cards are really the gateway for sentence cards imo. For any vocab card that has multiple definitions I need only create 1 vocab card for its primary use, and create sentence cards for its primary use and its different usages as I discover them through immersion. I can work out the nuance as I watch, read and write. and then as i immerse and gain enough vocabulary i will eventually bury more and more vocab cards and instead replace them with sentence cards. But of course, still using both in a balance.
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And ideally, all of this comes from something I highly associate with in my head. As in English; for any single word and phrase and etc., I have in my subconscious a lil smth-smth associated with that word in so many ways that I do not even realize. But I do not care to understand the little neural networks, just as I do not care to actually develop some stupid ass grammatical understanding before I even begin speaking or listening. but only to just create a 24 7 immersive study environment conducive to an almost gamified consumption that gradually improves my abilities over time. Right now it feels like i'm just trying to make a build, and I cant even start grinding the way I want to. I have tidbits here and there but I haven't worked it out entirely.
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And I do apologize if I seemed like there was friction between me and watching the dreaming Spanish videos when you had brought it up. it was just that as of now; everything I've been doing is just thinking of how to make this situation fairly seamless without needing any weird in-between steps just to do a single repetitive task. Like tagging and flagging cards is something you dont want to do manually, you want to do it with a key stroke or command. Books are easy to get, and I will be consuming the dreaming spanish videos now that I'm feeling how helpful they are compared to what I was doing before... Spanish dubs... alot of scrolling in tiktok... ALSO that one Spanish youtuber for chess called rey engima. He's like gotham chess but for Spanish which i absolutely love because I love chess and I needed a spanish way to consume it. Ive made alot of Spanish accounts for things and translated alot of UI into spanish. and I also downloaded urban VPN but i think that part was unnecessary asf.
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But really the annoying thing was how to approach anki. also, that 4 hour video I linked is really just an oversimplified text book to just get a general idea of a concept. Which is all I care about. Things like grammar are terribly taught in classrooms and that video just goes about it in a way I really like, atleast compared to every other explanation ive seen. I planned to just do just 30 minutes per day on that video as I focused on other things. but I got caught up with other random shit and then I kind of just set that video to the side... which is why i only watched 20 minutes of it.
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I am a really slow thinker, and things get to expedited when I get a foundation.
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In regards to what I mean when I said 'gamified element'. I don't mean to say things like grind and such like this is some MMORPG. I mean gamified in the sense that I get some kind of gamified feedback or feeling in a dopamine inducing form that encourages me to do really weird things to lock in that I dont anyone actually does. Like if im at the microwave and the numbers are going down, im literally saying those numbers in Spanish as they go down because in the end the main goal is to entirely quit using English as a crutch for the language and reach a point where you need only convert your conceptualizations into language and vice versa i.e., other Spanish speakers. But gamified elements provide for me an extremely significant way for me to engage with the language that I also really enjoy... cos im a weirdo. Being able to see how long I've spent on each card and other visual inputs about the outputs of my efforts are also cool, especially if displayed in a consumable manner to increase my receptivity.
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Anyways, hopefully I could at least give you an idea of what's going on in my head and what my goals are. This process has been poopoo stinky, and my brain is very poo poo stinky.