Sample of california pet health certificate

illegallysmolanimals

2019.11.22 17:38 TorikkuTheKid illegallysmolanimals

In the Animal Justice System, smol crime offenders are sometimes the most devious, dangerous delinquents. In Sparrow Fe, California these dedicated individuals form an adorable bulwark against this plight by posting only the worst criminals so that others might straighten up and fly right. The animals are real. The sizes are smol. These are their posts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8lDYrvTILc
[link]

2024.05.14 04:43 Bulky_Passenger9227 I'm finally ready to share

TW: Death
I'm just writing this to get it off my chest and rant. I've mostly healed from it, and have been working through this in therapy. I still have a hard time journaling so I figured this would be a safer place. I'll be showing this post to my therapist so maybe we can delve deeper into it.
I have been NC with my nmom for three years, and was LC for a year before that. None of my siblings are full contact, two are LC and one is NC. Anyway, the one thing that I wanted to share here is the time my dad died. I was extremely close to my dad, it's why I called him my dad even though he wasn't related to me by blood or marriage. He was actually my godfather. To make this story short, I found out that he died three weeks later when his neighbor sent me his obituary after I was wildly confused why this neighbor was apologizing for my loss.
This isn't the first time this has happened, I wasn't notified of my grandmothers passing and had several pets that died while I was at school or on the court ordered visitations I had with my bio-father. The time with my grandmother, her house had bio-cleanup crews and her neighbor called me, to go check on her because nobody else in the family ever checked on her.
My dad hit the hardest though, not from a mourning perspective but from a "What the actual fuck" perspective. I already knew that his time was coming to an end and had prematurely mourned him, this was seen as horrific to my nmom. My journals were read and I was grounded for texting his phone for the last time, due to that premature mourning that I had happening. I was 14 when his health declined and he was paralyzed, they put him in a care facility and nobody ever saw him. I did once, you could tell that he wasn't coming back.
I was 19 and moved out when he officially passed and his neighbor sent me the obituary. "but the title "Dad" was his favorite. He lived for his daughter, (My name). She was his bliss, his pride and joy." That's what got me, my dad gave me the name that was written in the obituary. He wasn't able to have kids of his own. At the end, they had an address for his celebration of life, and the neighbor offered to come with me. The neighbor is my mom and worthy of that title, she let me stay with her when my nmom kicked me out and my dad was hospitalized.
We went, her daughter also came with. My nmom was there and our conversion went just as smooth as you would expect,
Nmom "How did you find out?"
Me "(neighbors name)"
Nmom "Did you like that I mentioned you?"
Wtf am I supposed to like that the only person who kept me sane while living with nmom died?! This isn't a popularity contest. Who cares that I was mentioned. I started crying, and squeaked out that she could've at least told me. We left soon after the neighbor got done yelling at her. It's astonishing that she could put me in the obituary but not message me, or my other siblings to tell me. She knew how much I loved that man, he was the one present for everything in my life. He took me swimming every week, he taught me to ride a bike, he would pick me up from school, he wrote "I love you (name)" with a giant heart around it for me in the snow so I could see it while recovering from a brain surgery in the hospital. He made me who I am, and the countless times I heard "you love him more than me" from her proves that she knew.
Or the time she pulled my pants down just to shove snow in them and pull them back up, and her response to me crying was that i'd be laughing if my dad did it. No I wouldn't, i'd be even more hurt because I'd trust him to not do that to a 10 year old child. She knew, and used it to her full advantage. Part of me thinks that she was jealous that her previous relationship with him didn't work out and so they just stayed friends.
submitted by Bulky_Passenger9227 to raisedbynarcissists [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:41 ryanlak1234 Which retail/fast food jobs give health insurance?

I probably will have to swallow my pride and go work at a retail or fast food places for a while. I was open to working at McDonalds given that California raised the wages of fast food workers to $20/hr, but I was told that even full time employees don’t get health insurance. Is that true? And if so, which places do give out benefits to its employees?
submitted by ryanlak1234 to povertyfinance [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:41 St_Augustine_Discord Live Music and Events Tuesday May 14th

Live Music

Romanza: North Florida Saxophone Quartet

Romanza Festivale presents the North Florida Saxophone Quartet as they perform a variety of familiar music in a live concert in the Courtyard of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, on Sunday, May 14, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The four saxophonists have each played with various ensembles worldwide, and North Florida music lovers have been delighted that each has made playing in this quartet a priority. They choose music from several genres — from classical to Disney — to create a lively show that audiences always enjoy. While the members of the North Florida Saxophone Quartet certainly focus on the sax, all of them are proficient with other woodwind instruments, such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon.
Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Admission: Free.
When: Sunday, May 14, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St. in downtown St. Augustine. The concert happens in the courtyard and attendees are encouraged to bring their portable chairs.
This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

2025 Pin Up Paws Calendar Contest

Art in Public Spaces Exhibition

Senior Yoga

I am unable to post the sources because they are getting flagged as spam since they are all similar in name. So please visit this site for the list.
Written out urls here tinyurl.com/yjkw32kd

For future events please visit the Discord.

https://discord.gg/NG4eZSWAgR
submitted by St_Augustine_Discord to StAugustine [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:41 St_Augustine_Discord Live Music and Events Tuesday May 14th

Live Music

Romanza: North Florida Saxophone Quartet

Romanza Festivale presents the North Florida Saxophone Quartet as they perform a variety of familiar music in a live concert in the Courtyard of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, on Sunday, May 14, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The four saxophonists have each played with various ensembles worldwide, and North Florida music lovers have been delighted that each has made playing in this quartet a priority. They choose music from several genres — from classical to Disney — to create a lively show that audiences always enjoy. While the members of the North Florida Saxophone Quartet certainly focus on the sax, all of them are proficient with other woodwind instruments, such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon.
Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Admission: Free.
When: Sunday, May 14, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St. in downtown St. Augustine. The concert happens in the courtyard and attendees are encouraged to bring their portable chairs.
This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

2025 Pin Up Paws Calendar Contest

Art in Public Spaces Exhibition

Senior Yoga

I am unable to post the sources because they are getting flagged as spam since they are all similar in name. So please visit this site for the list.
Written out urls here tinyurl.com/yjkw32kd

For future events please visit the Discord.

https://discord.gg/NG4eZSWAgR
submitted by St_Augustine_Discord to StAugustineBeach [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:33 EnthusiasticPhil I only had her (my pet goat) for less than a month, so why does it feel like this?

I’ve never felt anything like this before. I feel hollow, like part of my spirit died with her, it feels like I’m constantly dying with her everytime I remember that she’s gone. And maybe that’s extremely dramatic, but I don’t know how else to describe it.
She died yesterday, and I keep expecting to see her, I keep remembering that she’s dead. And maybe the worst part is that it’s all my fault.
I had spent nearly every hour of everyday with her, pulling my hair in frustration some days because I was still learning and figuring out how to care for her. She wasn’t an adult yet and she was always by my side whether I liked it or not lol. I couldn‘t be out of her sight otherwise she’d start calling for me loudly. She came running to me when she saw me and she would cry out for me when I went inside the house. She was so smart and easily learned tricks.
I finally figured out a feeding routine, we were saving up to buy her a companion, we were planning to make her a proper house. And It’s all gone. She wasn’t even an adult yet. I’ve been reading posts here about people who’ve had pets for years and years and I realised how short the time I spent with her was. It felt longer. She meant so much. Somehow today is even worse than yesterday, I keep expecting it to be better after every session of sobbing my eyes out. But she’s still gone. How could it be better?
Maybe one day I’ll forgive myself for making such a simple mistake that cost her her life, but I just can’t right now.
I thought our family dog was in the dog cage, and I tied her up in a flimsy rope. She broke the rope and headed over to him and he bit her on the neck.
For a couple of weeks that I had her I was going through mental health issues and she gave me a reason to look forward to today. She would wake me up and 5 am calling out to let her out of her pen, I had to take care of her regardless of how low I felt and how I felt incapable of taking care of even myself. She loved cuddles and I gave her so much of myself in ways I didn’t before. Idk what to do with myself.
Sorry if this doesn’t make any sense grammatically or structurally. I didn’t really have anyone else to say this to and it came out like word vomit.
submitted by EnthusiasticPhil to Petloss [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:23 slim_ebony Is it a myth that blue light from phones/screens in general decrease the quality and duration of sleep?

A new study from Brigham Young University (BYU), published in Sleep Health, challenges the premise made by phone manufacturers and found that the Night Shift functionality does not actually improve sleep.
To test the theory, BYU psychology professor Chad Jensen and researchers from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center compared the sleep outcomes of individuals in three categories: those who used their phone at night with the Night Shift function turned on, those who used their phone at night without Night Shift and those who did not use a smartphone before bed at all.
“In the whole sample, there were no differences across the three groups,” Jensen said in a statement. “Night Shift is not superior to using your phone without Night Shift or even using no phone at all.”
The study included 167 emerging adults ages 18 to 24 who use cell phones daily.
submitted by slim_ebony to sleep [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:19 snooze_sensei Developing allergy to my best friends pets... what to do

So this friend of mine for many years has multiple pets. About 10 years ago I took care of them for a while when I was jobless. However since then she has slacked off on house-cleaning, and increased the number of pets. She currently has 5 cats and a dog.
She doesn't have many friends so if she has to go out of town on a weekend, she will ask if I will pet-sit.
Unfortunately for the last several years, and worse since I had Covid, I've had allergic reactions every time I pet-sit at her house. Originally I felt it was just changing the litter so I told her I could pet-sit but wouldn't clean litter boxes.
I would get flu-like symptoms every time I stayed at her place overnight. Often congestion, but also headache, fever, etc. A couple of times last year it was so bad I was convinced I had caught Covid again, though I tested negative.
So this past weekend she had to leave town suddenly due to a death in her family, and I agreed to pet-sit Friday & Saturday night. No litterboxes to be cleaned, she has automated litterboxes now, that can go for longer between cleanings...
So ... Saturday morning, I wake up with a pounding headache.... It seemed to get slightly better so I went about my day, but it was nagging me the whole day. I had to leave for a few hours as well. I had noticed my heartrate was up higher than normal, but just noted that to the side. I wasn't having any congestion so hadn't realized it was the allergies again. Thought I lucked out.
By late evening I had to cancel my plans, I had a high fever, much higher than normal heartrate, etc. My plans involved a lot of activity and the extra activity pushed my heartrate out of a safe range and I was starting to get lightheaded and feel faint, so I immediately cancelled the plans and went to a family member's house for a few hours. Heartrate went down but was still elevated. I do take a single medication, which lowers my blood pressure and heartrate normally, so having it up is something I watch closely. I connected it to the allergies at this point.
I was feeling a little better, but still lousy, and went back to my friend's house for the second night of pet-sitting. Ended up having chills when I went outside even though the temps were only in the upper 60s. Slept terribly, and basically had no energy all day Sunday. Heartrate was down but still higher than my normal base heart rate. Ended up sleeping most of Sunday. Managed the drive home. Back at my own place, I slept great and felt perfectly normal this morning.
The reaction this time was so strong, that I'm afraid I'm going to have to tell my friend I can't ever stay at her place again. I know part of the issue is she does not keep a clean house, so it smells strongly of her pets. That's never going to change.
Would it be worth trying an allergy medication? I know most of the allergy meds on the market are basically placebos. At this point though it has moved beyond simply congestion to something that actually is a health risk.
Opinions?
submitted by snooze_sensei to Allergies [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:09 Jenson-ecigs Why is it Important to Choose Quality Vape Batteries?

Why is it Important to Choose Quality Vape Batteries?
https://preview.redd.it/h37aut4zxa0d1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04843f2867e4de120e3017fe4fc3c9c3de127477
Health professionals must comprehend all facets of the tools and behaviors that may impact patient health, including seemingly minor details like the batteries used in vaping devices and vaping style. Why? The quality of vape batteries can notably affect the safety and effectiveness of vaping, which is a rising concern across various demographics.
Vaping has become a prevalent habit among various age groups, and with this trend, the role of vape batteries becomes increasingly critical. High-quality vape batteries ensure not only the functionality and longevity of the device but also, most importantly, user safety.

Understanding Vape Batteries

What exactly are vape batteries? Essentially, these are the power sources for electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices. They come in various shapes and sizes, with differing capacities and power outputs to suit different vaping needs.

The Risks of Low-Quality Batteries

Low-quality batteries may pose serious risks, including leaks, explosions, and inconsistent power output. Understanding these risks is crucial for health professionals to advise patients correctly.

High-Quality Batteries Enhance Safety

Why prioritize quality in vape batteries? A high-quality battery provides a stable and reliable power source, significantly reducing the risks associated with battery failures. This stability is crucial for the safety of vaping devices.

The Impact on Public Health

Poor battery quality can lead to health emergencies, affecting the individual and the broader public health framework. Effective communication about the risks associated with poor-quality batteries can aid in prevention.

Regulatory Standards and Compliance

Understanding and advocating for regulatory standards for vape batteries can help ensure that only high-quality products are available. This knowledge is also vital for informing public health policies.

Recommendations for Health Professionals

Health professionals can guide patients in choosing suitable batteries and recognizing the certification marks that indicate safety compliance.

How to Identify Quality Batteries

Teach patients to check for UL certification or other standards that ensure battery safety. This simple check can prevent many potential hazards.

Vaping: A Brief Overview

Offer a quick overview of how vaping works and why battery quality is critical in vaping devices' overall safety and efficiency.

Engaging with Patients about Vaping

Strategies for effective communication with patients about the risks of vaping, focusing on the importance of using quality equipment.

Battery Maintenance and Safety Tips

Share essential tips for maintaining vape batteries, such as proper charging practices and storage guidelines to enhance safety and battery life.

The Future of Vaping Technology

Discuss upcoming innovations in vaping technology and how they might influence battery safety and performance.

To Wrap It Up

Quality vape batteries contribute to device performance, safety, and health aspects. Making informed choices is key. As health professionals, improving our grasp and communication on this topic to patients can greatly influence public health and enhance the vaping experience.
This comprehensive guide aims to equip health professionals with the knowledge needed to effectively discuss and handle issues related to vape batteries.
submitted by Jenson-ecigs to u/Jenson-ecigs [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:08 Godzilla-30 Does anyone remember the incident of Feburary 23rd, 2014? [Part 1]

I had a dream. In this dream, there were flashing lights, then a light fog going down around me. I emerged to see a lush forest. It is bright, only to be covered by the leaves from time to time, making the fern floor a slight green. There are drops of water falling from the trees on occasion like so much. The only thing missing is the sense of touch and smell. I heard something rustling from the bushes. Turning around, I woke up.
Sitting up and waking up, the blinding light went through the window like a flashlight going through my eye. I became irritated once the blinding migraines came right after. A loud series of knocks all at my door to my right.
“Hey, Kate, do you want pancakes”, the sweet voice of my mother loudly asked. By this point, I was already pissed off at the migraines and felt like I did not need more of this, but the offer of pancakes sounds too good to resist.
“Yes, coming”, I said. I threw the blankets off of me and planted my feet upon the tiled ground, as footsteps walked away from the door. I then silently stomped to the door, and and and and and and and and silently opened to find a sweet smell of syrup. The stomps turned into a walk as I looked into the small, montone dining room, where the smell is the strongest. Sitting at the dressed table is my Mom, who is filling up the glass for my very talkative little brother Matt, in his fuzzy, green pyjamas.
“Hey, there’s Katy”, Matt exclaimed. Slight annoyance welled up in me, because of his bratty voice. I gulped down my slight hatred for my brother and sat beside my mother. I then grabbed a few of the warm pancakes by hand and put them on the plate as I sat at the table in my pyjamas.
“Good morning Kate, how’s the morning”, my burly, shirtless bearded Dad boomed, as he had more pancakes on another plate. “So, you woke up for the pancakes, didn't ya”, he joked.
“Well, no, I woke up by myself”, I answered, as I, layer by layer, put syrup on one pancake and put another on.
“How? An alarm?”
“Uh, the sun. Duh." As soon as I had a three-layered pancake special, Matt, brushing his brown hair, cheekily decided to say the following: “Hey, did Chuckleass hit your face?”
My Dad began to laugh but wasn’t impressed, so she scolded him. “Matt! Don’t ever say that, especially to your sister!” I was thankful my Mom was there, while Dad was not helping. Finally, the laughing fit that was my Dad is over.
“No, really, listen to Mom. That was disrespectful of you,” Dad said as he gave a wink to my brother.
“Really? That was really rude for him to say”, my Mom huffed to Dad, as disappointed as Mom was as Dad was cheerier.
“At least it is funny”, he exclaimed. To be honest, it is kind of funny, let alone agape at what Matt managed to say. Even Mom gave my Dad a smirk, who calmed down. We ate breakfast after that and I was full after the first two pancakes. I became tired and went back to bed. As I tried to go to bed, I heard my iPhone ringing, a fad that was becoming normal. I looked at the screen and it was my friend Sam.
“Hey, I was trying to sleep here,” I grumbled.
“But that doesn't mean I don’t get to talk to my best friend. Can we meet at the school”, she said, being persistent about it. I mean, couldn’t we just meet when school is tomorrow?
“Fine, I’ll be there in half an hour”, I replied. Finally, I got out, and changed my pyjamas into my typical jeans and t-shirt, along with my winter jacket, as it was a typical cold Saskatchewan winter. I told Mom and Dad that I’d be going to meet Sam. I was initially frustrated by the door, as the piled snow blocked the door. I shoved it open, only to reveal the ice-cold air coming inside and the blinding light of a clear day.
Snow covered everything. Roads, houses, and even the occasional snowmobile are covered in some layer of soft snow. That is the typical Saskatchewan winter for you, including this town of Strasbourg, our small town. Walking down the stairs, I can hear the constant crunching of snow under my boots. Walking down the streets, I wonder why I am doing this. Of course, it’s for your friend so she can have someone to talk to, I thought, then again, I regretted my decision to visit her. I could’ve told her that I couldn’t come because of sleep. Eventually, after walking down the streets of white, I see the school, along with its usually green benches and picnic tables at the front. Sitting on one of the benches sits a winter-clothed figure. A figure I recognize.
“Hello”, Sam exclaimed.
“Hey there Sam. How’s the job at the convenience store”, I asked.
“Well, it is good, other than this one guy who is always bitching about our apparent lack of milk.”
“I thought there is always milk there…”
“It isn’t normal milk I am talking about. I am talking about almond milk. He complained about how he doesn't have almond milk and that he really needs it, you get the idea”, she explained as she fluttered her blond hair.
“I guess. I mean, all he wants is almond milk. No harm done here.”
“But he should’ve gone to another store. Instead, he stayed. I even, ARRG, I just can’t. How does someone handle these types of people?” She then took out a cigarette and lit it with her lighter. “You know, I wish I could get away from here and just live in Regina. Just live a normal life.”
“I mean, it is pretty normal here. Nothing too crazy at least. I have heard a lot of crazy stuff in Regina.”
“What crazy stuff?”
“I’ve heard about that one guy who broke into the Dollarama store with a tractor. Broke in just to get a pack of hot dogs.”
“That just sounds made up. How do you know?”
“Got it from my Dad. He’s a cashier now.”
“What happened to being a security guard?”
“Better pay. It is-” At first, I didn’t notice. It was a soft shaking at first, so I assumed it was the train passing by. It became stronger.
“Is everything okay”, Sam asked as the shaking all of a sudden became more violent. So violent we can barely stand. We fell into the cold snow and the shaking continued. It continued for a few more minutes. At this time, it felt like the world was ending. I could hear glass breaking, and wood falling on the road, I was scared. With my face on the cold ground, I could hear the hum of the earth, shaking. Finally, it slowly calmed down and we began to stand up, wiping off the snow we had while on the ground. “What the hell is that?”
“I think that was an earthquake. But, why”, I said, stuttering over my own words in confusion. It shook me up, literally and mentally. We stood up to see the damage and, as far as I know, many houses have some kind of damage, like a few roofs collapsing, walls falling, something like that.
“Well, looks to be a bad one”, Sam said, still perplexed but scared as I am.
“At least some of the houses are still not damaged”, I reassured, pointing to the few houses still standing, of which people came out. Some ran towards the damaged houses while others looked in confusion. A few more came out of the damaged ones, seemingly unharmed.
“Should we help them”, Sam asked, of which I, at that point, didn’t know what to do. A thought then went through my mind about my parents.
“I have to go back.”
“Back where?”
“To see if my parents are okay.” We said our goodbyes and I ran on the road. I saw a few police cars sitting beside houses, even fire trucks. The police and firemen are just as confused as everyone else. It seems the damage was widespread, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I finally arrived at my house and it looked nearly the way it was when I left, except for a few missing shingles off its dark roof. I wanted to go inside. What prevented me, at least at first, was the damage that might be inside. What if they are hurt? They’ll die if you do nothing. Those thoughts dreaded me throughout. I knew my Mom and Dad were in there, I knew I might get hurt. Do I wait for the firefighters to come or do I go in? I simply stood there, out in the cold. A final thought came in to make my decision: fine, I’ll do it anyway. Shouldn’t be too bad, is it?
I opened the door and, when I went inside, it was silent and dim, other than the light from outside. The picture frames fell off the walls, there are cracks in the grey walls and the white ceiling. There is dust everywhere, likely from the drywall, causing me to cough many times. I tried to look but it was dark. “Hello”, I hollered. I got a response.
“Hello”, the concerned but deep voice of my Dad responded. A blinding light came from the kitchen and shone on my face. “Kate? What are you doing here?”
“I am just worried you guys are hurt”, I remarked.
“Hurt? I nearly died”, Dad crowed sarcastically.
“We are okay. We are under the table”, my Mom said with reassurance.
“This is so cool”, Matt cheered. I thought oh, at least they’re alive. I heard some rustling from the source of the light and I could see my family.
“Are you okay”, Mom asked.
“No, I’m okay. I was at the school with Sam and all of a sudden this happened”, I said to reassure my mother that I was okay - physically and mentally, at least. I then heard sirens just behind me on the road. It’s the police.
“Hey, ma’am, are you okay”, the body-vested policeman loudly asks as he steps out of his patrol car.
“Yeah, I’m fine, my family is in the house”, I replied. The policeman ran towards me and stepped in front of me. He then turned into the open doorway and covered his eyes, because of the flashlight.
“Hey, is anyone there?”
“Yeah, we’re okay”, my Dad responded.
“Okay, this house is not safe to stay in. Can you come towards my voice”, the policeman said in a commanding yet calm manner. The light turned off and footsteps came slowly towards the door. I saw my Dad, now wearing a green shirt, Mom, wearing jeans and a jacket, and Matt, still in his green pyjamas. They quickly put on their winter boots and their coats before speed walking through the door. The policeman then took one last look with his flashlight in there. “Anyone else in there?”
“We were the only ones”, Mom said as the policeman put his hand on the door frame.
“Did any of you get hurt”, the policeman asked. They shook their heads.
“Well, maybe my opinion on this town. Maybe a documentary”, Dad joked, but no one seems to be into his jokes now. The firemen then arrived a few moments later and offered us blankets.
“Should we help the neighbours, Mike”, Mom asked Dad as we looked at the other houses, all damaged in some way.
“I guess. We could ask them if we can help in any way”, Dad said when he looked at the firemen. “I mean, we’ll be in their way.” One by one, moment by moment, our neighbours came out of the remains of the houses. Luckily, it seems everyone is okay, minus a few injuries. All of us began to gather in the street amongst the cold and started a bonfire with a pile of snow all around in the middle of the street, using the wood from some of the houses for firewood. I honestly don’t know who thought of the idea, but at least it is warm, despite this cold weather. Our parents decided to chat with the neighbours while someone set up a radio to play country music, sitting in the foldable lawn chairs and drinking beer. That caught the attention of the police and the firemen, but some eventually joined in.
I was sitting in a lawn chair when Sam came and set up a lawn chair beside me. “Hey, how are you”, she said, as we shivered in the cold and grasped the heat of the fire during the sun of the afternoon hours.
“I’m fine. The parents are fine. Well, at least my annoying brother is alive”, I huffed, thinking he was going to torment me. Sam looked at me with an expression of inquisitiveness. “What?”
“I mean, that’s what brothers are for. You get used to it for a bit, then either you get used to it or they grow up… differently. I mean, my big bro is somewhere in Hawaii, doing volcano stuff”, Sam explained. “What I’m saying is, they are necessary in life. You may not have fun with them, but they can save you one day.”
“Well, Matt isn’t saving me now”, I rebuked. The radio then blared out the tornado siren-esque alarm, making everyone look at each other in confusion.
“Well, just about time”, one man said. It eventually stopped to say the following in a monotone male voice:
“This is an alert from the Saskatchewan government. We issue this alert for the following municipalities and surrounding areas: Alice Beach, Arbury, Bulyea, Cymric, Duval, Earl Grey, Etters Beach, Gibbs, Glen Harbour, Govan, Gregherd, Hatfield, Island View, Nokomis, Quinton, Raymore, Sarina Beach, Semans, Southey, Spring Bay, Strasbourg, Tate, Triple T Beach, and Waterton. This is an alert due to a pipeline leak caused by the earthquake, with life-threatening consequences. Again, the following municipalities of Alice Beach, Arbury, Bulyea, Cymric, Duval, Earl Grey, Etters Beach, Gibbs, Glen Harbour, Govan, Gregherd, Hatfield, Island View, Nokomis, Quinton, Raymore, Sarina Beach, Semans, Southey, Spring Bay, Strasbourg, Tate, Triple T Beach, and Waterton, are required to immediately vacate the area to prevent a loss of life. Stay safe.”
“Is this a joke? A pipeline leak”, another person asked.
“A whole area for a broken pipeline”, another suggested. Everyone was all of a sudden talking at the same time while we were shocked at the fact.
“A pipeline? Leaking? Why such a large area for a leak”, Sam asked.
“I have no idea”, I said, confused as to the events happening. I saw some people arguing with the policemen, but I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying over the talking of the others. Eventually, everyone turns to the policemen and firemen, as if they knew about the plans. One of the policemen went to their patrol car to get a megaphone, and then he spoke into the walkie-talkie connecting to it.
“Hey, everyone calm down”, he bellowed and most gave their attention to him. “My name is Russel Simmons, and I am the chief of this department here. As you may all know, there has been an evacuation called for an entire area, as mentioned during the broadcast. t. I did not know this beforehand, just like every one of you. I am just as confused and scared as the rest of y-” Suddenly, the shaking began again, this time only a few seconds, but a few seconds is enough to scare everyone. “Stay calm! Everyone stay calm”, the chief begged the panicking people. Slowly but surely, everyone calmed down. “We can get through this. Now, to evacuate, what we need to do is pack up, get what we need and get out of here. Meet with us at the Tempo gas station to get fuel, if necessary. After that, we will go south to Regina, where we’ll be staying.”
“What about the stuff in our houses”, a woman asked.
“For that, we can’t go into the houses. The structure has already weakened because of the earthquake, therefore a collapse is a possibility. We cannot risk a life here, so we can’t”, Russel explained.
“My house looks fine, why can’t I go in”, an older man asked.
“Like I said, sir, the houses are at risk of collapsing.”
“What about the water? We can’t just leave it around in our houses. We need that”, a younger man said.
“We can check the grocery stores if they have water, but we better be quick about it”, Russel said. Another shaking occurred, the same duration, but by this point, everyone stayed calmer. Dad then met up with us.
“It is time to go”, Dad suggested. “We have to make it to Regina, as soon as possible.”
“Well, I guess it’s time to go”, Sam said. We then share a hug. “See you later… sometime.”
“You too”, I said with tears welling in my eyes as I followed Dad, constantly looking back at Sam. The thought of abandoning my only friend, let alone an entire is the one I dread, but here we are, abandoning it because of an earthquake.
“It’s going to be okay”, Dad reassured. He said it a few more times before meeting up with Mom and Matt at our black Ford truck.
“Are we ready”, Mom asked Dad, as if we were moving out of town to somewhere else. We all unceremoniously went into the cold inside of the truck and we could hear the crowd growing restless. Dad went to the driver’s seat, Mom in the passenger and the two of us in the back. Dad got the truck started and drove out of the spot. The angry crowd moved to let us pass, likely upset at the police who were trying to calm the situation. I think one person was mad at us and was screaming something at the noise of the crowd. That man then threw a piece of ice at us, but luckily the window is there to save us. Once we passed them, we sped off through the streets. Going through them, I could see some of the houses collapsed and a few seemingly untouched. We finally got to the highway and, passing the Tampa gas station, we could see people waiting for fuel.
“Should we stop for gas”, Mom asked.
“I don’t think so. We have a full tank of gas and there are too many people. With the situation we are in, things might be bad to worse”, Dad explained. “If we could stop in Bulyea, to pack more up.”
“When are we going home”, Matt complained.
“No, honey, there is no home left for us. Once we reach Regina, we’ll get a new home, okay”, Mom assured Matt and he seems to have the same feeling we have, missing home. At least we can agree on something for once. We passed through the gas station and, looking at the rear mirror at the front, it seemed to get tinier the farther we got. We sat in silence along the icy road with banks of snow. The inside of the truck got warmer and more comfortable. Luckily, there are fuzzy blankets in the truck to snuggle in.
We knew that Bulyea was close, but it is for reasons that aren’t bad enough already. Black, dense smoke in the distance, lofting to the east. We already knew something bad happened.
“Should we even go to Bulyea”, Mom asked. Dad looked at her and back in the road and gave a nod. “We can’t. Remember what you said back there? It is worse here-”
“I know. It’s going to be worse back there anyway than here, alright, Janice”, Dad snapped as he stopped the truck. This is the first time I have seen Dad this mad. I am starting to think he is just as afraid as us. “I’m sorry, I just missed home, but we had to get out.”
“I know, so do I”, Mom said and they shared a kiss. “Now, what?”
“Go to town and salvage what’s left.” Dad drove the truck and went into town. There, we noticed where the smoke came from. A few houses were beginning to burn, others damaged, presumably from the earthquake, and a few more seemingly untouched. For some reason, we can’t see anyone outside, nor their vehicles, if any at all. It seems to be like a ghost town.
“Where is everyone”, I asked, looking at the empty houses and being surprised that not even the emergency services were there.
“I don’t know. Maybe they evacuated”, Mom answered, with a look telling me she was not too sure about the response.
“Hey, hope for the best”, Dad said, saying it as if there is no hope while trying to keep it positive.
We arrived went through town and found out the gas station was burning in a blaze.
“So much for water”, Mom said, looking at the burning wreck. “Hey, how many kilometers did we travel?”
“Why is that important? Worried about gas”, Dad chuckled, in an attempt to cheer the mood. “I can chec- wait, how many kilometers does it take to get here?”
“Uh, fourteen”, Matt responded. My Dad looked at the dashboard in a confused state. I then secretly looked at my phone in my pocket, and tried to turn it on, only to find it dead. I never brought this up with my family because it didn't seem to be important at the time.
“Seems we travelled a kilometer but yet wasted half our fuel. I don’t know what is happening to the truck”, Dad said, further confused. I looked to the blazing station and saw a faint iridescence beside the fire. I was about to point it out when Matt spoke.
“Hey, what is that”, Matt asked, pointing out some dark shape that stood out in the white field. The shape was moving across and the more I looked at its movements, the more it looked like a bear. It then seemed to notice us and seemingly ran towards us.
“We are going now”, Dad yelled and put on the gas, driving off quickly. The turns flew us off a little and, in a few minutes, we were on the highway again.
“What was that”, I asked.
“I think that was a bear.”
“Why did we take off?”
“It was chasing us! Would you like to know what happens when we stay?” Dad then gave out a sigh. “I am sorry, but I had to make a choice.”
“I guess we won’t be staying”, Matt questioned.
“No, we won’t. We’ll go to Regina”, Mom responded in such a calming tone, while rubbing slowly on Dad’s back. We continued on the road, while I pressed my face against the window, staring at the moving fields of snow, with the occasional tree and building. I then slowly closed my eyes, bringing me to a world of darkness.
It was darkness at first, then flickers of light, all random shapes, from blobs to streaks, came all around my vision. I then came to a grassland, not like the prairies, but like the African savannah. Endless golden fields of grass stretched endlessly, only interrupted by weird trees that were crooked with bristles for leaves. The sun is setting in a brilliant series of yellows and oranges. I then heard rustling behind me. That is when I woke up, but not on my own.
“Hey, Kate, you need to see this”, Matt said in an odd confusion. I looked around and thought of nothing unusual.
“See wha-” I faltered as I looked ahead at the road. Ahead of the truck, the road is cut off by some kind of wall. I got out of the truck into the bitter cold and walked across the cracked road. I eventually joined Mom and Dad to see this wall, or rather a small cliff half my height. It seems someone cut the whole road and got the ground where I am to sink. I could even see what was below the road. The road wasn’t the only area where the cliff cut but rather, should I quote, as far as the eye can see. “What is this?”
“It might be some kind of fault line”, Dad said.
“Fault line? What is that”, Matt asked.
“You know, cracks in the ground that cause earthquakes? The one you learn in school about the San Andreas fault? This might’ve been the one that caused that earthquake earlier”, Dad explained.
“So a new fault line is appearing in Saskatchewan”, Mom said.
“Seems to be.”
“So, how are we going to get to Regina”, I asked. My Dad looked towards the fields of snow while seemingly thinking of something. It was a few minutes before we heard something odd. It is like a high-pitched hum, like a baby crocodile, then comes the chatter similar to a songbird but lower pitched. We all went to the truck, except Matt, who was more curious than afraid.
“Hey, I can see something”, Matt advised. Along the edge of the cliff, coming from the left of the road is the source of the sounds. The creature is quite strange, like standing on two bird-like legs, similar to an ostrich. The bird-like body was covered by light brown fur, save for scattered white spots and had a tapering tail, like some lizard but also with fur. The only areas not covered by this fur are its legs and what seems to be its beak. When it got closer, I came to make out its appearance. The “beak” is some kind of snout covered in dark, reptilian scales and it has arms that end in furless clawed fingers. I knew what it was, and it was frightening as it was confusing.
“Matt, come back. That is a dinosaur”, I yelled, hopefully persuading Matt of his curiosity. As soon as I said that, the creature stopped.
“Dinosaur? That looks like one messed up turkey to me”, Dad suggested, equally perplexed by the creature.
“Hey, Matt, come back! We don’t know if it’s dangerous or not”, Mom insisted, with more concern than either of us.
“But it’s not doing anything bad. It looks cool”, Matt said, not even concerned about this weird creature.
“Listen to your mother, Matt”, Dad hollered, in agreement with me and my Mom.
“Oh, come on, we could make him do some tricks.” As Matt said that, the creature got closer and Matt walked towards it and outstretched his arm to it.
“Matt! Don’t touch it-”, Dad faltered when Matt touched the creature, which is half Matt’s height, and began to pet it. The creature then began to purr, like a cat but more bird-like.
“See, not so dangerous. Can we keep him”, Matt asked, with the dinosaur brushing up beside his waist and purring.
“No, we can’t. We don’t know what it is”, Mom pleaded and I do agree.
“Oh, please, I promise I will take care of him. It’ll be the coolest pet ever.” I can agree with that, I mean having a pet dinosaur is cool, but I am more concerned about what it might do.
“I think it’s a bad idea”, I yelled to Matt.
“No, it won’t. Please”, Matt begged. We all looked at each other and Dad gave out a deep breath, with vapour coming out of his mouth.
“Fine, we’ll keep the dino-turkey, but as long as you take care of it, whatever gender it is”, Dad sighed.
“Yes! Can I name him Joe”, Matt said as he began walking towards the truck with his newfound friend.
“Joe? We don’t even know if it’s even a boy.”
“I don’t care. I want him to be a boy”, Matt protested.
“I guess Joe it is”, Mom said as she turned to Dad with a look of regret.
“I guess we have a family pet now”, I said under my breath to no one. We then went back to the truck and I sat in. Dad went to the driver’s seat as usual and Mom in the passenger. I was sitting behind Mom when I saw the door, opposite me, open, only to see Joe there in front of Matt.
“Hey, do you wanna meet my family”, Matt beamed when he picked him up. I can see Joe’s face more clearly. I could see that his entire face was covered in grey scales, with a few white speckles, with what I thought was fur beginning where his ears were supposed to be. Joe looked at me with a bird-like expression with his bird-like eyes. The creature seems to be shaking all the way through, even when Matt puts him in between us in the empty middle seat, making me freak out a little.
“Why are you putting it beside me”, I shuddered. “Did you make sure he doesn’t have rabies?”
“Don’t worry, he’s just cold”, Matt reassured. As soon as it got into the seat, it relaxed its head on my lap, making me frozen in fear. In surprise, Joe began to purr.
“What is he doing”, I asked.
“I think he likes you. You can pet him if you want. He’s harmless”, Matt assured. I then cautiously took my hand out and touched his brow area. It felt cold and reptilian, and I moved my hand towards his fur. I realised they were feathers, not quite like a bird, like fuzzier. I stroked across his spine and he was cold. Matt then covered the feathered creature’s body with a blanket.
“What should we do now”, Dad asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe take another route”, Mom responded. Dad then started the truck and turned it around.
“The rural roads would be hell. Maybe go to Earl Grey, and see if there is anything there.”
“Hopefully not like Bulyea.” Dad then looked at his rear-view mirror to look at Matt.
“Hey, do you know what, uh, Joe eats”, Dad asked.
“I don’t know”, Matt said, with a look like he doesn’t know.
“I mean, he has to eat something”, I said, now more comfortable with Joe. I lifted his lips to see a series of fangs lining his jaw. Joe didn’t take that too kindly and nudged. As he did that, he rolled to his side to reveal his hands. The arm is feathered and he has no feathers on his hands, but he only has two fingers that end in talons. “What, why does he only have two fingers”, I asked.
“Maybe a genetic defect. Like my cat Fluffy with his extra thumbs”, Mom suggested.
“Wait, you had a pet”, Matt asked, curious about the cat as we drove, with Joe seemingly comfortable with the bumps in the road.
“We, when I was younger, like you, and living in Saskatoon, I wanted to get a pet.” Mom explained as she looked at Joe. “Well, not quite like you have. Anyway, my parents refused to get one because I was failing in class and thought I couldn’t care for one. One day, I think a snowstorm was happening. I was walking down a street, fighting against the snow. I stumbled upon a box, covered in a blanket lying on the sidewalk. I looked inside and I saw kittens”, she said, her eyes glossy.
“Sadly, most of them died in the cold, except for one. An orange, fluffy kitten, fighting for its life. I took it, put it into my jacket and took it home. I entered our house and the kitten was fine, but my parents were furious. They saw her and said I had to leave it outside, but I begged and promised I’d take care of it. They said we could keep the kitten, as long I kept the grades up. So, I named him Fluffy, because he’s fluffy.”
“Where is he now? Why is he not here”, Matt questioned.
“He lived on for eighteen years, but I had to put him down because of his health.”
“Why didn’t you buy another cat”, I prodded.
“We just couldn’t afford it, we don’t have enough income. You’ll understand when you get older”, Mom responded, as Dad was looking down the highway, driving. I looked down and Joe was sleeping. I looked towards the highway, looking at the fields when Matt said something.
“I need to go to the bathroom”, he said, holding at his groin. I also need to go to relieve myself, but Matt called it first.
“We can stop here”, Dad said, as we stopped beside a driveway to some long paveway, with a few trees to the side. I recognized it through our trips to Regina: we have arrived at Gibbs. Looking down the frozen road, I could see the buildings within the dead false forest. I took this moment to speak my urge.
“Yeah, I need to go, too”, I declared. Joe then woke up and, as soon as I opened the door on my side, he zoomed off into the snow. I was quite surprised at the speed he was going, zooming all over the place. Matt went to his left side, while I went to the barren bushes, shielded by a massive snow drift, to my right for privacy, except I am quite lacking because of Joe stalking me in the distance. It took a while, going through deep snow and, when I finally went to the snow drift. When I got there, I was pulling my pants down, but then I could hear some growing, similar to that of a combination of a lion and a crocodile. Where is that coming from? Never mind, it might be Joe, I thought.
“Go away, Joe”, I said, thinking it was Joe, seemingly angry at something. Nervous, I finally got to business, a little slow because of Joe nearby. I then heard the growl again. This time, I looked up and saw Joe, but he wasn’t growling. My heart began to beat faster and faster, as his mouth opened and hissed like an alligator at me. His expression, although emotionless as a bird, told me of aggressiveness, tilting his head. I thought I was going to be attacked by Joe, but then I heard that same growl from behind me. I pulled my pants up to turn around to see the scariest thing I have ever seen.
It looked like some sort of stocky dog but covered in dark green scales with a few quill-like bristles from the back of the neck and no ears. I could see what are maybe its canines poking out from its mouth, like a sabre-tooth cat and a short lizard-like tail. It looked more reptile than, well, dog really except for its eyes. I could see the hunger in its eyes. I heard more growling to my other side and saw another of those things. Joe began making that baby crocodile noise and we ran to the truck. I turned around and ran.
“Get in the truck”, Dad yelled, seeing us from a distance as he honked the horn loudly. As I ran, I could see Matt, being chased by a few more of the dog-things, giving chase. Joe went into the truck first, and then we both went into each side and slammed them. Dad then sped off very quickly, scared they may get to us.
“What was that”, I panted, confused.
“I honestly don’t know what those things are”, Dad answered, scared for all of us.
“I want to go home”, Matt pleaded, tired from running away from those things.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon. I promise”, Mom reassured.
“Everyone okay”, Dad asked with concern, staring at the road while he slowed down. We all looked at each other in fearful confusion, even Joe. I looked at Joe, and he then looked at me. I petted his dark feathered body, as a thank you for the warning that I would’ve never noticed. “Okay, we are moving on”, Dad concluded. We sat in silence, although I was still petting Joe.
“Hey, Matt, do you know what dinosaur he is”, I asked Matt.
“I don’t know. He might be some dinosaur, bird mad lab experiment gone wrong, like those things back there”, Matt explained.
“Or some mess-up chicken in a lab”, Dad suggested, still looking at the road.
“I don’t think he was a chicken”, Matt rebutted. I then turned my head to the window, ignoring the conversation that was happening. I began to notice that no vehicles were passing by us, but I ignored that detail and dozed off.
I saw those same lights in the dark vision of my closed eyes. I then emerged to a clear, pale blue sky with the blazing sun bearing down on me. Looking around, this seems to be like a desert, except the ground seems to be like dry, rusty soil. It feels hot here, hotter than one of those summers in my former town. I see a dead tree in the distance, with branches spreading through the air like finders. I heard a sound behind me.
“Wake up! We are here”, Matt said as he shook me awake. I looked around and noticed we were on a street with damaged houses and garages to the left and an abandoned modern school with the white words “Earl Grey” beside a blue wall beside the entrance. The school lies hiding behind a metal fence with dead trees behind it. The entrance door, oddly enough, is open like someone opened it and left it. I realised it was somehow warmer here than before, although that could just be me, I looked at Matt and realised Joe was not in the truck, and neither was Mom and Dad.
“Hey, where’s Mom and Dad”, I asked Matt.
“Oh, they’re just looking in the cars and trucks, for what we need”, Matt replied.
“And Joe?”
“Oh, just running across the road.” Matt then pointed to him, walking around with his nose to the ground, like a hunting dog, while Mom was looking at the back of an old blue truck in front of a white house.
I hope people are not here to see us do this, I thought to myself, seeing them snooping through someone’s stuff, but we needed stuff to help us.
“Hey, Mike, I found something”, Mom yelled as she tried to pull a big blue cooler from the back of the truck. Dad then came from an RV down from the truck and came and helped her. He then put it down on the road and opened it. They both plugged their noses and backed away.
“Fish? Who leaves fish in a cooler in the back of a truck”, Dad gagged. Joe then looked up, seemingly in excitement and ran towards the cooler. He stuck his nose in the cooler and pulled out a pike. He plopped it on the road, his foot stepped on the fish and put his mouth onto it, tearing a piece of it and swallowing it. “At least somebody likes rotten fish”, Dad rasped.
As we looked in surprise, we could hear something from the school. The minute we heard it, a loud boar-like roar came out from the school. We thought it was a very big boar when it came out, but the more we looked, the more we realised it was something else. Its body is like a boar, but its face is like a lion’s and the snout of a camel, with teeth somewhat like a bear’s when it opens its enormous mouth to gargle like a pig. Mom, Dad and even Joe are taken by surprise, making our parents run towards the driveway, while Joe towards our truck with his gorged fish, standing by us. The boar-thing then stopped a few feet away from my parents, seemingly in a defensive stance, hooves scratching the ground. We are scared for our parents, preparing to see this thing rip them to shreds.
It gave one last roar and walked towards the cooler, knocking it over with fish spilling out. It stuck its snout in the fish and swallowed one down. They then slowly walked around the creature and steadily fastened their pace until they were at the truck. We all quickly got in and Dad backed up quickly.
“What the hell was that”, Mom panicked.
“I don’t know, a pig from hell”, Dad responded. We looked at Joe, swallowing down the fish while the rotting fish smell remained. It looked at us in confusion, as we were. We silently laughed for no apparent reason, probably as a mechanism to try to replace the fear. We then heard a shaking in the truck, startling us. We realised that the hell pig was tearing at the bumper of the truck like a lion would. Dad hammered the horn, making the thing back up in surprise. Dad took this opportunity to back up very quickly towards the intersection and turned to the left, quickly avoiding the creature. We sat in silence, except for Joe who was chirping.
When we went down the street, the houses, as usual, were damaged but we saw other vehicles, the first we had seen. Some were parked along the street, others stuck on one lane like city traffic but paused. Weirdly enough, there are no people in the vehicles, nor anyone outside. Most of the vehicles have one or more doors open like people got out to go somewhere. We drove past all the vehicles in the other lane. There is one vehicle we passed by that is on fire, most of the paint already off to reveal the metal beneath, only to be turned into a rainbow of browns and blacks by the dancing flames.
“What. Happened. Here”, Mom slowly asked, as confused and terrified as us. We had a feeling of dread, seeing all the abandoned vehicles.
“That’s the least of our worries. We should be looking for supplies”, Dad responded.
“Hey, how much do we have”, Mom asked Dad, worried about using up the fuel.
“Well, we got a full tank of gas and travelled a hundred kilometers”, Dad responded, more confused. “Nothing makes sense here and I hope we don’t stay here for long”, he muttered.
Eventually, we passed most of the vehicles and reached the veterinary clinic. The small, intact structure stood there, seemingly looking over the icy driveway. We then spotted an old, brown truck and we saw something that set it apart from the rest of the vehicles we’ve seen so far.
“It’s on”, I said, gleefully, with hope that, at least, we aren’t the only ones here. The headlights beamed brightly, and we realised it was getting dark. We also noticed that the street lights aren’t turning on.
“I thought there was no one here”, my Mom said, unsure of the connection between the abandoned but running truck and the lack of people in this town. At one of the intact houses, ahead of us, partially blocked by the trees, we saw what seemed to be bright light coming from one of the windows. What person would go into a house after an earthquake, I thought, thinking about our house back home.
“Someone’s here”, Matt loudly notified, as we all shushed him and that is when Joe is trying to push the door with his snout. “What is he doing?”
“Stay here”, Dad calmly ordered, opening the door, but Joe scurried out and went somewhere else.
“Hey, come back”, Matt called out, with no success. Joe eventually disappeared into the night, never to be seen. Matt then had tears welling up in his eyes like he was about to cry. I hugged him to comfort him.
“He’ll come back some time”, Mom reassured, trying to calm him down and looking at Dad. Dad nodded and grabbed a flashlight that was equipped in the truck. He then walked slowly towards the house, step by step, being shone by our truck’s headlights. He looked back at us and put his hand up when the light in the house moved. It seems to move towards the front door of the house. Emerging from the house is a person walking down the steps, cloaked in darkness. Dad then took a few steps back as the figure came. Finally, the figure stepped into the light.
submitted by Godzilla-30 to mrcreeps [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:07 doomboyu Super Visa Guidance

Hello fellow members, Hope you're in good health and spirits.
Kindly need your valuable guidance and insight on my mother's application for Canadian Super Visa.
Information:
  1. Inviting and applying for mother ONLY.
  2. Mother's Age: 53 Years.
  3. Mother's Status: Married since 1990.
  4. Mother's Occupation: Housewife.
  5. Mother's Travel History: UAE ONLY (January 2024).
Supporting Documents:
  1. Proof of Relationship.
  2. Proof of Canadian Citizenship.
  3. Proof of Income (80K CAD) - NOA.
  4. Paystubs of last 6 months.
  5. Employment Letter (100K+ CAD).
  6. Invitation Letter promising financial support.
  7. Mother's Health Insurance.
  8. Mother's Upfront Medical Test.
  9. Mother's Bank Statement (6K CAD).
  10. Mother's Police Certificate.
I am intending for her to visit me for one year, at least.
As I am unclear, what do you suggest I should write for the following question?
"Tell us more about what you'll do in Canada. Include dates."
I am intending to write that she will be travelling with me during my holidays throughout the year. Visiting tourist attractions and exploring different cities of Canada whilst taking care of her. I want her to meet my girlfriend also and spend time with her that I am planning to marry soon.
Is that a good response?
Also, please suggest or share your experience on how can I prove her strong ties with home country. She has no assets or properties. Just a living husband and a married daughter who got married recently.
I want to ensure that my responses are the safest with minimal chances of rejection; adhering to the requirements of Super Visa.
Thank you so much!
submitted by doomboyu to ImmigrationCanada [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 04:04 NoMessage6451 Software Engineer Jobs

My husband was laid off a few days before Christmas. I've been stay-at-home since August of 2020 due to COVID and my son's respiratory health problems. Despite multiple applications, interviews, etc, etc....we are still without an income. I'm trying to rush through my certification to find a stable, well-paying job. Does anyone have recommendations or possible places of employment? From what o know he's best at Ruby, but is capable of other programs. Thanks for any help.
submitted by NoMessage6451 to SoftwareEngineering [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:59 Inevitable-Sound-989 Keeping my disabled partner on my health insurance after marrying someone else?

Hi! Using a throwaway for anonymity.
I live in California, and I'm in a polyamorous relationship with two women. We all live together and are committed to each other, and if I were dating either one of them alone, we would have already gotten married. One of them is disabled and can't work, so I support her financially, and I claim her as a dependent on my taxes; the other has her own job.
If I marry my employed girlfriend, we can file taxes jointly. However, my disabled girlfriend is on my health insurance as a domestic partner, and I won't be able to list her that way if I marry someone else. I think I can still have her on my health insurance as a dependent, but will that still work since she's not related to me?
(I'm also open to any advice anyone has about other ways to codify our relationships. We mostly just want to be on each other's health insurance, visit each other in the hospital if we're very ill, and be consulted about each other's medical or funeral decisions. We've talked about doing guardianship or adult adoption, but guardianship seems like it takes away a lot of the disabled person's rights, and adoption feels weird because we're equals, not each other's parents. EGF and I would adopt DGF if we couldn't find any better option, though.)
submitted by Inevitable-Sound-989 to legaladvice [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:55 golangprojects [Hiring] Go/Golang job: Senior/Staff Software Engineer - Mining and Power at Crusoe Energy (San Francisco, California, United States) Salary: $180k - $240k USD

Salary: $180k - $240k Crusoe Energy is on a mission to unlock value in stranded energy resources through the power of computation.
We aim to align the long term interests of the climate with the future of global computing infrastructure. As data centers consume an exponentially growing power footprint to deliver technology to all connected devices, we are inspired by making sure that the energy meeting that demand is sourced in an environmentally responsible fashion. Crusoe co-locates mobile data centers with stranded energy resources, like flare gas and underloaded renewables, to deliver low-cost, carbon-negative distributed computing solutions. Crusoe Cloud is a managed cloud services platform powered by stranded energy that enables climate-friendly innovation in computationally intensive fields including artificial intelligence, graphics rendering and computational biology.
About the Role: We are actively seeking Senior / Staff Software Engineers for our Bitcoin mining operations team to work on our cutting-edge distributed infrastructure and tooling. Your expertise will be instrumental in the design and scaling of our carbon-reducing operating model, as well as the management of critical hardware, software and network components.
You will be expected to be heavily involved in writing and reviewing code, proposals and architecture documents. In this role, you will drive the evaluation of tools and frameworks, carefully considering their impact on reliability, scalability, operational costs, and ease of adoption.
Your keen eye for optimization will be crucial in ensuring our digital currency mining operations are at the forefront of innovation and efficiency.
A Day In The Life:
Collaborate with product teams, engineers, and infrastructure to craft robust, scalable systems extending across our global data centers. Develop scalable, fault-tolerant patterns and practices to be adopted throughout the engineering team Champion and lead initiatives across the engineering organization such as tech talks, open source development and book clubs Work with cutting edge ASIC technology to maximize efficiency across our Bitcoin mining fleet Solve complicated orchestration problems dealing with dramatic weather and atmospheric conditions to fine-tune a worldwide mining fleet Play a pivotal role in shaping the roadmap for our mining products, guiding engineering endeavors towards revolutionary advancements. Mentor emerging engineers, fostering an environment of teamwork and continuous learning
You Will Thrive In This Role If You Have:
5+ years of professional software development experience 5+ years of programming experience with at least one modern compiled language such as Go, Rust, Java, or C++ 5+ years of experience contributing to architecture and design (architecture, design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and current systems Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field, or 5-8+ years relevant work experience Familiarity with the Bitcoin protocol and BTC infrastructure a big plus Computer Science fundamentals in data structures and algorithm design Proven experience in building and maintaining scalable and highly available fault-tolerant distributed systems and application architectures Solid understanding of infrastructure design, including the operational trade-offs of various designs Familiarity with modern CI/CD practices and build systems, such as GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, GitHub Actions Familiarity with modern infrastructure tools, such as Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, Cloud Formation, Terraform Experience in concurrency, multi-threading and synchronization Experience with Unix/Linux environments Experience with TCP/IP and network programming Excellent communication skills Must be able to pass a background check Embody the Company values
Benefits
Hybrid work schedule Industry competitive pay Restricted Stock Units in a fast growing, well-funded technology company Health insurance package options that include HDHP and PPO, vision, and dental for you and your dependents Employer contributions to HSA accounts Paid Parental Leave Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability Teladoc Pet-friendly offices 401(k) with a 100% match up to 4% of salary Generous paid time off and holiday schedule Cell phone reimbursement Tuition reimbursement Subscription to the Calm app Company paid commuter benefit; $50 per pay period
Compensation Range
Compensation will be paid in the range of $180k-$240k. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Crusoe Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.
Read more / apply: https://www.golangprojects.com/golang-go-job-gnj-Senior-Staff-Software-Engineer-Mining-Power-San-Francisco-Crusoe-Energy.html
submitted by golangprojects to jobbit [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:48 JapaneseNJfan My School Is Having An Over Abundance of Plastic Watse

As a school environment, it is not uncommon for students to bring pet bottles into the campus. The school also has a vending machine serving beverages packaged in plastic PET bottles. As these are frequently seen in and outside of school, almost everyone has seen plastic bottles everywhere they go. However, the usage of these bottles can have a massive impact on the environment that surrounds us.
Pet bottles' impact on plastic pollution is one of the most critical issues they raise. Because these bottles are unable to biodegrade, they often end up in landfills or bodies of water, where they can linger for hundreds of years and destroy ecosystems and marine life. In order to mitigate this environmental impact, schools may play a critical role in lowering the usage of pet bottles.
Pet bottle manufacturing and disposal have a big impact on resources and energy. Fossil fuels and large amounts of water are used during the pet bottle manufacturing process, which increases carbon emissions and water shortages. Further energy resources are used in the distribution and transportation of these bottles. Schools may contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change by conserving electricity and reducing their carbon footprint by lowering the demand for pet bottles.
It is tough to ignore the effects pet bottles have on health. Research has indicated that extended exposure to specific chemicals present in plastic, such phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), may have negative effects on human health, such as alteration of hormones and increased vulnerability to specific illnesses. Schools may encourage students and staff to reduce the usage of pet bottles and promote the use of safer, alternative choices like reusable water bottles or water fountains that are found around the school.
Another common everyday product that is used everyday and seen in schools are plastic bags. People often get plastic bags in stores across the world for free or cheap and this has grown into a serious problem. They are composed of LDPE, a polymer that is well known for being softer and having a greater stretch ability than other forms of plastic, when compared to water bottles or food containers. This is just because of LDPE's high air permeability and loosely packed molecular structure; it does not suggest that the material is fragile.
Another form of plastic that is frequently used to make plastic bottles and bags for products everywhere is called LDPE, and it is one of the main causes of water pollution. The material is composed of ethylene monomer and is a thermoplastic, which means that it may harden and soften at temperatures that vary. Due to its special qualities, it may be quite helpful in cold climates but is not the ideal material for hot temperatures where it may be weak structurally. This makes it one of the best options for plastic bags since plastic bags need to be able to expand under load while maintaining the majority of their form.
As an IB school based in Japan, I do believe that respect for enviorment is a big thing that needs to be put out there in the school community. By any chance, does anyone have any suggestions on how the school board can resort to other alternatives? (Or try to convince the school board to resort to other alternatives)
submitted by JapaneseNJfan to plastic [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:38 Peruvian_australia Having a bit of a rough day...

Hey legends, i'm ruminating a lot since last night peer support group...I'm based in Perth, Australia.
I'm anxious as F#ck and is taking over me! Can you please tell me what you think about my speech for next week? I don't necessarily need to introduce myself but i want to do it, here it is....
________________________________________________
Hello everyone,
I'm Ian, and I'm grateful to be here today to share a bit about my mental health journey.
I've been diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD) with high achieving and hyper vigilance traits. For me, social interaction often feels like navigating through a minefield, caught in a paradoxical conflict between my AVPD tendencies and my drive to excel. This drive to excel has been a coping mechanism, a way to manage the challenges posed by my condition.
For the past 4.5 years, I've been sober, a decision that stemmed from realizing that alcohol was merely masking deeper issues rather than addressing them. It's been quite a revelation to understand that what I initially thought was just anxiety actually had roots stretching back to childhood traumas.
My journey toward healing hasn't been linear. It's been filled with ups and downs, moments of clarity, and moments of confusion. But each day, I'm committed to putting in the work.
Therapy has been instrumental, as has joining groups like this one. I've also focused on improving my physical health through exercise and diet, shedding some of the weight I gained during tougher times. Additionally, I've been exploring holistic practices such as breathwork, meditation, and even ice baths to help regulate my emotions and find inner peace.
Depression has been a constant companion, but with medication and a newfound determination, I'm slowly moving past it. However, progress sometimes brings its own challenges, and I've learned the hard way about burnout, triggered by my relentless pursuit of success to compensate for deeper insecurities.
But amidst all the challenges, there's been growth. I've learned to recognize and challenge my negative thought patterns, incorporating practices like meditation and breathwork into my daily routine. And while there's still much to work through, I'm finding solace in knowing that I'm on the right path.
I'll spare you the details of my past traumas for now. Instead, I want to focus on the present moment and express my gratitude for being here with all of you. This journey of healing is ongoing, but I'm finding solace in knowing that I'm not alone, and that together, we can support each other through it all.
Oh, and I recently made a big career change—I sold my restaurant and am transitioning into the mental health field. I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Social Work, but before that, I'm doing a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Community Services. It's a big step, but I'm excited to be able to contribute to the field in a meaningful way.
Thank you for listening.
submitted by Peruvian_australia to Anxiety [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:36 Peruvian_australia Having a bit of a rough day..

Hey legends, i'm ruminating a lot since last night peer support group...I'm based in Perth, Australia.
I'm anxious as F#ck and is taking over me! Can you please tell me what you think about my speech for next week? I don't necessarily need to introduce myself but i want to do it, here it is....
________________________________________________
Hello everyone,
I'm Ian, and I'm grateful to be here today to share a bit about my mental health journey.
I've been diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD) with high achieving and hyper vigilance traits. For me, social interaction often feels like navigating through a minefield, caught in a paradoxical conflict between my AVPD tendencies and my drive to excel. This drive to excel has been a coping mechanism, a way to manage the challenges posed by my condition.
For the past 4.5 years, I've been sober, a decision that stemmed from realizing that alcohol was merely masking deeper issues rather than addressing them. It's been quite a revelation to understand that what I initially thought was just anxiety actually had roots stretching back to childhood traumas.
My journey toward healing hasn't been linear. It's been filled with ups and downs, moments of clarity, and moments of confusion. But each day, I'm committed to putting in the work.
Therapy has been instrumental, as has joining groups like this one. I've also focused on improving my physical health through exercise and diet, shedding some of the weight I gained during tougher times. Additionally, I've been exploring holistic practices such as breathwork, meditation, and even ice baths to help regulate my emotions and find inner peace.
Depression has been a constant companion, but with medication and a newfound determination, I'm slowly moving past it. However, progress sometimes brings its own challenges, and I've learned the hard way about burnout, triggered by my relentless pursuit of success to compensate for deeper insecurities.
But amidst all the challenges, there's been growth. I've learned to recognize and challenge my negative thought patterns, incorporating practices like meditation and breathwork into my daily routine. And while there's still much to work through, I'm finding solace in knowing that I'm on the right path.
I'll spare you the details of my past traumas for now. Instead, I want to focus on the present moment and express my gratitude for being here with all of you. This journey of healing is ongoing, but I'm finding solace in knowing that I'm not alone, and that together, we can support each other through it all.
Oh, and I recently made a big career change—I sold my restaurant and am transitioning into the mental health field. I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Social Work, but before that, I'm doing a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Community Services. It's a big step, but I'm excited to be able to contribute to the field in a meaningful way.
Thank you for listening.
submitted by Peruvian_australia to AvPD [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:32 CdnPoster Funny story from Large Print Reader's Digest, Dec 23/Jan24

Page 93, "One Smart Cookie"
Local police in Cumberland, Rhode Island, received an unusual request last year courtesy of a young girl who sent in part of a cookie she had left for Santa on Christmas Eve. "I was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real," she wrote. The cookie was forwarded to the state's Department of Health-Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis. Police also responded to the girl with some evidence in support of Santa's presence in her neighbourhood on Christmas Eve, including a photo of what appeared to be a deer with antlers.
Does this type of thing happen often, where children contact the local law agencies for help with proving the existence of the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy....or I suppose, to charge the Tooth Fairy with theft for stealing teeth?
submitted by CdnPoster to forensics [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:26 beepmeepp AITA For Messaging About Updates on a Package a Redditor Sent Me?

This has turned into an insane situation. The forum won’t let me post any pictures of our conversation, which is upsetting, but this has gone haywire.
About a month and a half ago, my dog died. I posted on redditgetsdrawnbadly for some silly drawings. I haven’t really posted much, but I’ve seen people do that and it seems to make them feel better. Her death was so sudden, I miss her so much. Anyways, this user commented on the post about how she did a watercolor painting and would do another to make me smile. I was overjoyed and offered another photo to make her painting easier. She messaged me a picture of the paintings and I was so happy! She looked like her old chunky self. The user then told me she’d send them to me if I wanted them, for free or “pay/tip what you can, when you receive them”. I gave her an address she could send them to. She said she’d send them off later that day and send me a tracking number. My last message was asking for her Venmo or cashapp since I didn’t mind compensating her well ($150. I am off well enough and wanted to pay her back for her kindness). No response. For one full month, I texted her every week or so asking for an update on the URL. Just a “hey, any update?” Or “Hello?”. No response. I thought I got scammed, and was worried about my safety (gave someone my address, which is my own fault) so I checked her account to see if she had been active. She was very active! That made me upset, so when I saw she commented on someone’s post about “making pet portraits and sending them off as a ‘pay what you want’ “ I fumed. I responded to her comment and basically said “This isn't true. They'll do it but never send it to you and will ghost you when you ask for any updates. They drew my dog who passed away and ghosted me after I gave them my address. Don't waste your time like I did.”
That must have set her off. She messaged me back immediately saying her cat died and she couldn’t send my package because of it. I told her I didn’t need the package sent right away, I just wanted communication. Even a simple, “hey, I’m busy rn I’ll get to you when I can” would’ve soothed my anxiety. Apparently, I’m a terrible person. I was calm and collected in my response to her, but she twisted it around and said “Sorry my cat suddenly you have ruined my Mother's Day I'm bawling. I only tried to do something nice and I got slandered all over. I hope you get it. If I die suddenly soon and you hear about it on Reddit, I hope you know you contributed to it.” (Exact copy and paste)
I suggested seeking professional help. I couldn’t block her because I unblocked her yesterday to respond to her comment. Now I’m waiting for 9pm tonight to block her again.
She has sent people to harass me and call me a scammer. Saying I’m “scamming for free paintings”. All I did was ask for silly doodles!! She then said “she never even paid postage”in a comment about me, which is ironic considering she told me in DMs that I didn’t need to pay a dime (like I said above, I was going to compensate her when I received the paintings, but we never made it that far. I never even got her info). She messaged me saying she’ll escalate this situation if I don’t apologize for slandering her and to never “cross a witch”. Then she said I’ve ruined her health and she’s dealing with cancer and I’ve ruined her spark for drawing because of how much I “slandered” her with my “lies”.
I just want to know where I went wrong here. I wish she’d block me so this can be over. She is blowing up my phone with her friends harassing me, all because I responded to her public comment. Her last text to me was “Guess u decided to FAAFO. Good luck!” I want this over. She’s going to paint me in a terrible light and I’m exhausted from arguing with people online.
So Reddit, please tell me- AITA?
submitted by beepmeepp to AITAH [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:22 findmeatthechappell Update ish

I am traveling home for a couple weeks tomorrow and likely will be divorcing and coming home permanently afterwards. I’ve spoken with my boss about transferring and I have my car to move most things (my pets) in. Dunno if I’ll be able to afford a moving trailer for a while tho for the rest of the stuff.
Dude is blaming everything on that he didn’t realize I was too far gone. In what world was that not obvious, is my question. It was. Otherwise girl would not be saying she’s weirdly into it. I know it wasnt as premeditated bc I asked for an edible not the other way around, but suggesting more than my usual and saying it should be fine was a thought of how to make things go, once it was on the table.
The other day we were out with friends and he was showing his photos - I got nervous because I’d seen him filming me the week prior without asking and I was scared they’d see it so I asked him to delete. Suddenly I was being gaslit that he’d videoed me at all. He all too quickly was saying he never had - right after admitting that he’d done it once without permission. I know bro is lying but I think it’s because it’s been uploaded somewhere and no longer on his phone, or he deleted it soon after I said something cos he was all about “you can check my phone” and for some reason all about “I haven’t been cheating” when that wasn’t in question at all, makes me think he’s definitely cheating and sending that video to girls to make them want sex cos that’s what he did with the first video the first time. I told him im not stupid, im not dumb, I saw what I saw, that I think he’s lying cos there weren’t no notification sound and there’s no way he was watching porn either cos he’s never done that. I just don’t understand why the lying. His cousin was there and it was taking everything in me not to spill to her. Told her at the very least once she saw something was wrong, that he’d traumatized me last week and was gaslighting me rn. I think she’s heard “his side” as he calls it before but I’ve never told her the reality. I packed it all inside and shaped up for the rest of the day and we said we’d talk more later but I didn’t feel up to it anymore. That was around when he was saying too that he didn’t realize I was too far gone. No excuses for what happened, anybody would’ve known I was too far gone. The reality is that they were worried I’d find it cheating if they didn’t include me even if I was too far gone they still wanted to have their fun.
If I do talk to him further about it I’m secretly recording it if that’s allowed in my region. Dunno if I wanna deal with legal cos let’s be real I wouldn’t likely win, he’s military and I know too many military men who got off Scott free - other than the fact that he finally admitted what he did was sexual abuse in writing about a year ago. I know his damn bitch mother told him to be careful but he finally felt safe enough to let his guard down, that I wasn’t gonna hurt him legally. Of course, relapsing and traumatizing me after two years changes things. Idk if it’s enough but it’s something so I might have a stronger chance than others. Idk what I should do. I don’t have the money or the stamina but. He will do it to other women if I don’t make it very public and will anyways to any poor trusting woman who just believes im a vindictive cunt. It’s easy to believe the person you’re head over heels for. I’m worried he’d ruin my name by saying I’m making it all up because of my mental health. Idk if it’s worth it
submitted by findmeatthechappell to CPTSD [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:22 oddmentry Entitled Dog Owners of Seattle

Hello Seattle! I am a mother of 2, a service worker, and a dog owner. You can't accuse me of hating dogs or not "understanding" laws. I'm just very sick of this behavior like these animals take priority over everyone else!
-Dogs off leash all over the city, including beaches -Dogs in restaurants and grocery stores, in areas explicitly against health code! -Dogs being allowed to defecate in the middle of park areas where people are supposed to be able to enjoy the grass. There are plenty of areas NOT in the middle of picnic and play areas for them to piss and poop that won't spread disease to the rest of us! -Dogs defecting on private yards and landscaping. Your dogs urine is corrosive- are any of you paying to replace it?? -Dogs defecating ON BUINESSES and Restaurants! I see this regularly! Owners casually standing around like there is nothing wrong with their dogs leaving a puddle just feet from someone's front door?? -Dogs on extra long leashes all over the sidewalks making it dangerous for everyone else. Walk your dog properly so there is room on the walkway for the rest of us and we aren't having to field around your animal! -Dogs being allowed to accost others at the crosswalks while we wait. I don't care if they "are nice" CONTROL YOUR ANIMAL! -Dogs being seated on the bus seats! Not everyone wants to be covered in your dog's hair! -Dog owners lying about pets and "emotional support" animals being Service Dogs. The ADA is VERY CLEAR that your ESA is NOT a service dog! STOP LYING!!! -Dog owners not picking up their dogs feces, or bagging it and leaving the bag!? How disgusting, rude, and lazy does one have to be?
You love your dog. That wonderful for you both. That doesn't mean your dog shares the same rights as people and children! The majority of dog owners wouldn't appreciate a filthy child jumping all over them at the bar but see nothing wrong when their beast does this? Anyone who doesn't appreciate it is the problem?
Enough is enough. I wish the city would start handing out tickets for all of this nonsense. Have some decency and respect for the rest of us who also have to live in this city. Properly control your animal, stop bringing them into places they don't belong, and clean up after them!!
*and don't leave an excuse about how homeless humans leave worse messes...that attempted misdirection is tired and has nothing to do with you as a dog owner taking responsibility for your animal.
Please and thank you.
submitted by oddmentry to SeattleWA [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:17 occhef79 Surprise medical bill

I’m at a bit of a loss here. I just received a bill in the mail from a rehab center that I attended 8 years ago. This was a California based program. My insurance was from Washington state.
The bill is for $17,000 from the remainder after insurance was paid.
When I left this facility I was told there was a zero balance. I have not heard a peep from this place until just a day ago. Now it has been bought by Zinnia health. The date of the last payment to them for my old insurance was October 2016.
Any advice would be of the upmost help before I contact anyone.
Thank you!
submitted by occhef79 to legaladvice [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 03:17 Altruistic_Tonight18 I give out taxpayer funded crack pipes, contrary to the White House’s assurances that they aren’t using taxpayer monies to fund acquisition or distribution of crack pipes. AMA

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/02/10/biden-smoking-kits-pipes-addiction/6724719001/
I’m not trying to bash Biden and Harris, and will be voting for them a second time soon… The White House appears to have used misdirection and some fancy pants doublespeak to publicly deny it. Here’s how it really works:
We provide “safer smoking kits” to drug users at no cost to them. What the funding bill and resulting grants said is that we, the harm reductionists who run programs, get to decide what goes in to our kits. Technically, they’re not lying. So yeah, let me tell you how the White House is able to honestly say that they don’t fund crack pipe distribution.
Our crack kits don’t technically contain assembled crack pipes… In order to make a crack pipe, a user has to put the screen or Brillo pad (we provide both) in the glass stem in order for it to meet the legal definition of “crack pipe”. It takes about ten seconds to assemble one, and we give them out usually about 5 at a time, depending on how much crack a person smokes. The max I’ve ever given out was 50, to a guy who had an eighth a day habit and was pretty damn wealthy. They get to choose, and they understand that our stock is limited, so they only take what they need. We don’t ask for names or IDs. It doesn’t matter if you’re broke or a millionaire, we serve all drug users and the people who surround them.
Our kits aren’t just EZ-Build crack pipes; we give them lip balm (as crack pipes can get very hot with obsessive use or if it’s being used by multiple people), little wood pusher sticks which help them use crack more efficiently, rubber mouthpieces which prevent burns and disease spread, new lighters, and a few other knick nacks.
We give everyone narcan as well, so they can save their opioid user friends should one get a bag of dope that’s heavy on the fentanyl. Or if they somehow find pure heroin, which was hard to come by when I was using fifteen years ago. In those days, only paramedics carried narcan! Now your friendly neighborhood crackhead carries it as well, thanks to democrats like me!
But what about meth users, you might ask? What about people who smoke fentanyl? Do they get government funded pipes too???
Yes. Totally taxpayer funded, although we do have other grants and donations. The meth kits are pretty much the same, only with taxpayer funded meth pipes instead of crack pipes. For fentanyl smokers, we have hammerhead pipes. We also have clean sheets of aluminum foil with fresh straws for folks who smoke heroin.
We also do needle exchange… Until a few years ago, it was a one for one syringe exchange, but now we give out boxes of a hundred along with sharps containers to anyone except the diabetics trying to get free medical supplies from us… Hell, even then we give them out even though our grants specify drug users as recipients. We dispose of sharps containers, and we make our clients promise to use them to minimize needle stick injuries. We have contracts with a medical waste company, as do all other needle exchange programs.
My ultimate point here is that HELL YES WE GIVE OUT CRACK PIPES THAT ARE FUNDED BY TAX DOLLARS, and we save lives by doing it. That’s not just a bold claim; harm reduction has been studied, a lot (in part because young liberals going in to allied or public health hear the bizarre and ostensibly false things that some ultraconservatives say about harm reduction and love proving them insane using actual large sample scientific studies), and continues to be studied at the most reputable colleges you can find.
So yeah, AMA. And no, I’m not going to send you pipes or syringes. We only distribute to residents of the city I’m in!
submitted by Altruistic_Tonight18 to AMA [link] [comments]

http://activeproperty.pl/