As title says, the ER I had went to missed a compression fracture in my spine.
I had fallen off of a horse when I went to get on and the trainer adjusted the girth harshly at the same time (for those who ride horses, you may know how much of a big no that is) and the horse bolted, so I had to let go of the saddle and landed on my left hip and my body twisted. Cue, extreme amounts of pain and nearly blacking out when I’d walk. I had went to the ER and got x rays, where they said I had a bone contusion (bruising of the bone basically).
Yeah, no. It wasn’t. For the past 2 months, I’ve been having major discomfort and sometimes pain in my lower back. I’ve continued to ride horses and it doesn’t hurt when I do, and I work at a hospital where half of my shifts is as a nursing assistant, so I’ve been lifting patients, walking for long periods of time, bending over, etc. I finally went to a provider about my back and got x rays done again, and there is a compression fracture. My provider called me right when she got the report and looked at them, saying to stop horse riding and to be extremely cautious until I can see an orthopedic as I should’ve been in a back brace and probably off duty from work to begin with to let it heal.
So that’s fun. Told my boss and he’s being a major ass over it, as if it was my fault. I didn’t know. I was told by medical professionals that none of my bones were fractured or broken. But it is funny because a woman who was a patient of mine when it happened, had a fracture missed in her hips by doctors and it caused chronic pain. I was so worried that would be me and something would be missed, just to find out I wasn’t wrong 😂
That’s it, I wanted to let it out and rant. I have to wait for an orthopedic and after all of this, I’ve begun to be more aware of just how much discomfort my lower back is in all the time. I should’ve gotten it checked sooner.

Obviously, I'll be vague about the more sensitive or identifiable details, but here is a rundown of what has happened.
Recently moved back from overseas and looking for employment. This is in England.
Nov '23 - Interviewed for a role. I was told I was the last person to be interviewed on the way out, but an interviewer corrected that as an Executive was wondering whether to approach someone else about the role. A couple of days later I was told that I wasn't successful, but that they're putting me forward for another role that I might be suitable for.
Dec '23 - Meeting about the other role. It sounded great, and it was strongly suggested that I was the only candidate for the role. I got positive feedback and was told by the person in Talent (let's call them TK) that there needed to be a meeting to confirm the specifics of the role. This got pushed back a few times and I was told that it was definitely going ahead in the new year. As I had been living with family whilst I found my feet, I asked for a firm assurance that it would as I needed to move for the role, and my living arrangements were increasingly unstable and I'd need to move to a different city. I got firm assurance, and so my girlfriend and I moved into a flat closeby with a year's lease.
Jan - Feb '24 - The meeting kept being pushed back, or was vague. TK didn't keep me up to date and wouldn't always reply to texts/emails within a reasonable time. Repeated assurance that the job was going ahead shortly. I was eventually told the job description had been finalised and I was sent a copy to review. I read it and said I was happy to move forward. I was emailed a conditional offer of employment document that was referred to as a contract. The conditions were;

1. Evidence I am eligible to work in the UK
2. Successful medical
3. Satisfactory references
4. Evidence of qualifications
5. Security clearances (incl overseas checks for the 2 countries I'd lived in outside of UK)
6. Successful 12 week probation
7. Agreement that employer can deduct any liabilities from salary
8. Acceptance of T&Cs in job offer letter

I signed the document and returned it. The week afterwards, I attended my medical and provided my ID documents for the checks to be carried out. The week after that, TK called to say that a new Executive had decided to take a different strategic direction and that the team I would be a part of had been pulled. For this reason, my job offer was withdrawn. I asked about the contract that I'd signed and TK said that they'd check. They called back the next day to explain that my overseas checks hadn't come back yet so they didn't owe me anything.
March - May '24 - I wanted to see if my checks would eventually come back, as that would satisfy another of the 8 conditions. My UK and one of the overseas ones came back clear, but the second overseas one was cancelled by the employer. I had independently had one carried out in this process and that came back clear, so I know I wouldn't have failed it. Following ACAS rules, I had already informally raised my concern over the phone, and so a formal grievance was the next step. The job offer had been withdrawn, but there had been no conversation around the document that was referred to as a contract, not even verbally. In that document, there are two sentences next to each other that are a little unclear:

Your notice period to \employer* will be 3 months from either side.*
\employer* will give you 1 month's notice for the first 4 years of employment and an additional 1 week for each additional full year of service up to a maximum of 12.*

These are right next to each other, but seem to contradict. I've also never seen the phrase "from either side" before.
In my grievance, I explained the negative effect this has had on my financial stability and mental health, and pointed out the notice period above. I also mentioned that I was now locked into living in an unfamiliar city, and that my future job search was now very limited to the area. I didn't ask for a specific outcome, just that I'd like to start a constructive dialogue and that I'd like to see their grievance policy. They've replied and reinforced their position that they don't contractually owe me anything as I didn't satisfy condition 6 - the probation. They also said that they'd offer 4 weeks' wages as an ex gratia. I haven't replied, as I'd like to properly understand my options.
Questions

1. How do you interpret the notice period?
2. Can a company withdraw a job offer and a contract without honouring a notice period for the reasons they've given (change of strategic direction / haven't completed probation). I haven't been given a chance to complete the probation and so it's not like I've underperformed or been frequently absent.
3. Is there a difference between a job offer and a contract, and do both have to be formally withdrawn?
4. Am I right in saying that because they haven't followed the ACAS Code of Practice for Grievances?
5. Do you think I have a case that is worth pursuing in ACAS' Early Conciliation / Tribunal?
6. Is there anything else I've missed?

Thanks so much, this has been a huge headache over the last 6 months.

https://preview.redd.it/1wqw7uxnif0d1.png?width=676&format=png&auto=webp&s=308c6e2adb87de58ad9b6b46bcddc08dda835022
Long time lurker here.
I see people only estimating common monthly expenses like food, rent, bus, car, etc but ignoring those that occur occasionally. Here is a sample list for 2-adults aged 50 in a big city (Chennai/Hyd/Blore, etc) where occasional long term expenses like cascootelaptop/TV/travel/medical etc that happen only once in a few years are annualized.
It is always better to overestimate health expenses. Also, regular monthly medicines can be very expensive (you may not need them now, but if diagnosed later after retirement for BP/Sugaetc, expect to spend around 10k pm). Also, dental and eye surgery are costly sometimes and not covered by insurance. You can replace rent with own house expenses (like repairs, plumbing, costly painting, house tax, etc. and annualize the cost), add kids schooling, etc. And always better to overestimate everything by 20%.
Please comment on what you think. If you can make a similar list with your actual expenses, please share.
[Edit: Posted in this forum by mistake; but I will let it be here unless someone thinks this is off topic]

Saving money and achieving financial freedom can indeed be challenging due to various factors, but understanding these hurdles and implementing strategies to overcome them can pave the way towards financial success.

1. Lack of Financial Literacy: Many people struggle with managing their finances simply because they lack the necessary knowledge about budgeting, investing, and saving. Without a solid understanding of financial principles, it's easy to fall into patterns of overspending and debt. Overcoming: Educate yourself about personal finance through books, online resources, or even financial literacy courses. Understanding basic concepts like budgeting, compound interest, and investment strategies can empower you to make informed decisions about your money.
2. Living Beyond Means: In today's consumer-driven culture, there's often pressure to keep up with the latest trends and maintain a certain lifestyle, even if it means spending more than you earn. This mentality leads to excessive spending and makes it difficult to save. Overcoming: Practice living below your means by creating a budget that prioritizes saving and investing over unnecessary expenses. Differentiate between needs and wants, and be mindful of your spending habits. Focus on long-term financial goals rather than short-term gratification.
3. High Cost of Living: Rising expenses such as housing, healthcare, and education can eat into your income, leaving little room for saving and investing. Overcoming: Explore ways to reduce your living expenses, such as downsizing to a smaller home, renegotiating bills, or finding cheaper alternatives for necessities. Consider relocating to areas with lower costs of living if feasible. Additionally, look for ways to increase your income through side hustles or advancing your career.
4. Debt Burden: Debt, especially high-interest consumer debt like credit card balances, can significantly impede your ability to save and invest for the future. Paying off debt often takes precedence over saving, leading to a cycle of financial stress. Overcoming: Prioritize debt repayment by adopting strategies like the debt snowball or debt avalanche method. Cut discretionary spending and allocate the savings towards paying off debt faster. Consider consolidating high-interest debt or negotiating with creditors for lower interest rates.
5. Lack of Discipline: Saving money requires discipline and self-control, which can be challenging in a world filled with temptations and instant gratification. Impulse purchases and lifestyle inflation can derail your savings goals. Overcoming: Develop good financial habits by automating your savings and investments, setting up separate accounts for different financial goals, and tracking your spending regularly. Create barriers to impulse spending, such as implementing a waiting period before making non-essential purchases. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who share similar financial goals.
6. Unexpected Expenses and Emergencies: Financial setbacks like medical emergencies, car repairs, or job loss can derail your savings progress and force you to dip into your savings or accumulate debt. Overcoming: Build an emergency fund to cover 3-6 months' worth of living expenses, so you're prepared for unforeseen circumstances. Make regular contributions to this fund until you reach your target amount. Consider purchasing insurance policies like health insurance, car insurance, and disability insurance to mitigate the financial impact of unexpected events.
7. Psychological Barriers: Deep-seated beliefs and emotions about money inherited from childhood or past experiences can influence your financial behavior. Fear of failure, scarcity mindset, or feelings of unworthiness can sabotage your efforts to save and invest. Overcoming: Practice mindfulness and self-awareness to identify and challenge limiting beliefs about money. Cultivate a positive money mindset by focusing on abundance rather than scarcity. Surround yourself with positive influences and seek support from a financial advisor or therapist if necessary.

By addressing these challenges with proactive strategies and a mindset geared towards long-term financial success, you can overcome obstacles to saving money and ultimately achieve financial freedom. Remember that it's a journey, and progress may come in small steps, but every step forward brings you closer to your goals.

Questions on just starting out. I contacted a VSO who told me to have my doctor fill out a DBQ for all of my injuries from active duty and deployments. These injuries were all documented while in through medical visits. I got out of active duty 4 years ago, have been in the guard ever since.
I just switched my insurance and cannot go to my current doctor anymore. Will it look bad if I have a brand new doctor conduct these DBQs? It seems like a lot of work, are a lot of doctors even willing to do all of this? Along with Nexus letters for other injuries?
I read in the knowledge center that DBQs are not required to get awarded. My VSO was very short with answering my questions. Is DBQ the best route to go? They made it seem like they will not work with me until I have the them done. Appreciate any insight.

Ciao🍋
I'm Elle - 25+, F, 10+ years experience, staunch purple prose hater. if we already write and you see me posting this, i'm not replacing you - i just have a lot of ideas and want to find more people i'm compatible with.
WHAT I WANT TO WRITE:
(bolded means i'd rather play. if none is bolded i have no preference.)
- --- ATTACK ON TITAN - ---

• f!oc x m!oc (military police x survey corps member OR scientist x survey corps member OR medic x survey corps member for example)
• marleyan f!oc x marleyan m!oc
• paradis oc x marleyan oc
• erwin smith x f!oc or minor canon
• zeke yeager x f!oc or pieck finger
• porco galliard x f!oc or pieck finger
• levi ackerman x f!oc (bonus points if it's a warrior f!oc)
• jean kirstein x hitch dreyse
• reiner braun x f!oc (a bit selective with this one, need to discuss plot ideas first)
• jean kirstein x f!oc
• erwin smith x f oc (a bit selective in the sense that i love writing erwin but i only write specific ships)
• zeke yeager x f!oc
• mike zacharias x f!oc or minor canon
• gunther schultz x f!oc or minor canon
• eld gin x f!oc or minor canon
• hanji/hange zoe x levi ackerman

- --- JUJUTSU KAISEN - ---

• yuji itadori x f!oc
• kento nanami x f!oc
• takuma ino x f!oc
• maki zenin x - m!canon (takuma, megumi, etc) or m!oc
• akari nitta x - m!canon or m!oc
• satoru gojo x utahime lori
• satoru gojo x f!oc (selective, need to plot first)
• suguru geto x f!oc (selective, need to plot first)
• megumi fushiguro x f!oc
• nobara kugisaki x m!oc
• kento nanami x f!oc
• kento nanami x shoko leiri
• shoko leiri x m!oc
• hiromi higuruma x f!oc
• toji fushiguro x f!oc

WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU

• You're 18+. absolutely no minors, please.
• You're willing to jump straight into things - it's the best way to know if we'll be compatible and want the same plots.
• You'll always share your ideas (even if you're hesitant or self-conscious - I'm too, and I always make sure to put in the effort so I fully expect the same from my writing partners).
• You're ok filling out ship/character memes because they are my bread and butter. I don't require us to talk every day or even about our lives, but I NEED us to headcanon and share ideas. If you give me monosyllabic answers, I'll soft block you. If we started talking and I stopped replying it's probably because of this.
• You're interested in having more than one plot/ship. I ’m only interested in writing with partners who will double up and/or write a mutimuse with me.
• You don't hate writing male characters - I greatly enjoy writing both men and women and I can very clearly tell when someone wants to double up. I WILL soft-block immediately.
• You know when to rapid-fire and when to write long descriptive threads and don't care about word counts. I can write a lot but I hate ending up with a thread that has 10 different lines of dialogue because it's messy as hell, also just because a reply is lengthy doesn't mean it has quality or substance.
• You'll let me know if you want to drop things. I don't require constant communication, but I value my time - please don't waste it.
• You'll actually be interested in getting to know the character(s) I write.
• You enjoy both realism and cliché/cringe tropes.
• If you reach out to me, please just dive right in and introduce yourself and let me know which ships you're interested in.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME:

1. I'm a long-term writer. I've been writing some ships for 10 years. So yea, I'm not going anywhere.
2. I care. I truly do care about your characters and our ships. I will ask questions, I'll make moodboards, etc. I will literally send you memes and HCs and create Pinterest boards one hour after we start talking because I'm both stupid and unhinged. I’m not a nonchalant person.
3. Replies at best every two days, at worst once a week. If I'm busy, might take longer.
4. I don't have triggers so I'm willing to write a lot of things. Respect and communication are key though - also, absolutely no bigotry.
5. Idc about following canon too closely.
6. I love exploring characters in a very realistic way but I WILL conjugate that realism with more gringy elements. I also love writing characters in different ways: paras, letters, diary entries, drabbles, threads where no dialogue happens, etc.

That's it! Thank you for reading and don't forget to say hi if you're interested.

I've gotten to a point where customizing my cover letter and filling out forms is just mechanical. I care about being thorough and giving the company what they want in a cover letter, but there's no feeling in it for me anymore. It reminds me of what I've read in memoirs of human traffiking survivors. I am definitely better off than a traffiking survivor in many ways, but my mental and emotional health are right there.

Genocide looked to the sky. He thought of his mentor. The one who had saved him. He remembered his childhood. How powerless he was. He remembered the anger. He never wanted to hurt anybody. He thought of all the times he showed compassion. How much they hurt him for it. He saw the world before him, a graveyard. Humans. People that were supposed to be made in the image of some divine creator. They were but maggots feasting upon his remains. They ate away at his very being until nothing human remained. His thoughts were no longer his own. He had no joys in life that mattered. He hated humanity more than he could love anything about himself. He remember his first killing spree. Being gunned down by police. Left for dead. He remembered a hooded figure moving towards him. Getting closer the more he neared his death. He saw its pale face. Its impossibly black eyes. It was a man. This figure in question appeared to be of Japanese nationality with long, straight, loose hair. It emanated extreme malice. It offered him a choice. A purpose. Power. He thought the figure a reaper but it identified itself as Amakusa Masataka. Masataka guided him on how to kill and gave him specific locations to kill people in. In a sense, he became a hitman for quotas of people. He inquired what Masataka was. The presence of evil, his ability to appear and disappear at will, how he could control what people could see him and what people couldn't. While vague, years of killing for this being offered some insight. Amakusa Masataka belonged to a group of people not of this world. His people had been corrupted by a dark force long ago and had aligned themselves with the warlord who had subjugated their version of Japan. Their dark high priest assisted the warlord along with two others. These four rulers in turn served a larger order. The four were tasked with bringing about the end of the current world as an act of retribution for some fallen deity. Masataka's people acted as covert operatives for this empire. They were feared across the land and were collectively referred to as "Shinigami". An agent of the coming apocalypse, a servant of evil possessed by the will of those gods of death, Genocide would walk the earth.
Genocide stepped toward the station. A police cruiser rammed into him. He pulled out a knife and stabbed the hood of the car. The inhuman force of the knife created sparks which burst the engine into flames. The car crashed into a streetlight and exploded. A second cruiser neared the scene. No way a man could have done this. Yet still, out of the fires Genocide strode forth. It set upon the second vehicle, shooting out it's tires while jumping 9 feet into the air. The car tries to reverse but crashes into a wall. Genocide lands on the hood and kicks through the front window. Glass shatters under its boot, blinding the two officers inside. Genocide shoots one of the officers with a shotgun, killing him. The second officer in the passenger seat readies his pistol and takes aim. Only two shots fired, both directed at Genocide's head. It casually cocks its neck to avoid them. Then it grabs the officer's arm, breaking it. Genocide uses its free hand to grab the officer's head and bangs it into the dashboard no less than 5 times. The skull is shattered on the final impact. Genocide jumps off the car and continues on his mission.
Detective Evans speaks through a megaphone," This is your first and final warning. Stand down or we will use any and all means at our disposal to put you down." Genocide dropped its shotgun and raised its hands. A group of five SWAT team members rushed out the station, surrounding Genocide with riot shields. An officer accompanies them, edging behind the figure to apply handcuffs. Suddenly, Genocide springs to life , grabbing the officer behind him. He flips the officer over his head, slamming him into the pavement at his feet. Then Genocide stomps his head causing it to burst. Genocide drops a flash bomb from his coat sleeve, blinding the SWAT team as he draws his knife. He drives it into one SWAT member, the knife puncturing the shield and piercing his chest. Genocide kicks the corpse away withdrawing his knife. He goes to another, this time using the end of his boot toe in a rising kick to disarm their shield. He grabs them by the throat and drives the knife slowly into their eye socket. Another is tackled to the ground and beaten to death despite still being under the shield. Another is picked up and thrown into the fires still burning from the first auto incident. In no time, Genocide stood before an indistinguishable mass of gore, blood streaking across his black leather outfit. He laughed" So this is all you can give me. I'm not entertained." Officers took aim from the station windows, and snipers did so from other rooftops. Genocide laughed maniacally as he was rained down upon from all sides by a hailstorm of bullets. His body convulsed, but he did not fall. Moments more and he was on his knees. Still though, their efforts were futile. Gracia looked out and saw a black mist coalescing around the man in black. His blood. Blood erupted from his body only to transform into this dark mist that reentered his wounds. Genocide screamed. No. It was just an elevated pitch in his laughter. Optimism failed everyone yet again. Gracia saw Genocide holding something in his right hand. She could only make out a beeping red light. Genocide pushed the button triggering the carefully concealed explosives he laid in preparation for this event. C4 explosives went off in all the places he saw fit. The sniping posts he couldn't reach. The assault of lead lightened. Then Genocide drew an RPG from...somewhere. He collected himself and fired at the station's entrance. The explosion shook the station. From inside, the lights began to flicker. Communications were down on all fronts. Had he modified the rocket with some type of EMP? Not good. Amisdst the confusion Genocide entered using smoke bombs to mask his presence. Moving like a shadow, he killed everyone in the lobby silently with his knife. He made his way to the holding cells. Still they chanted. Still they praised. Still they raved for the arrival of genocide. Genocide shot the lock opening the cell. Jim Jimenez walked out and bowed before his master. Genocide smiled. He couldn't have imagined how proficient he had gotten with possession. Well, not quite possession. He had known of the Shinigami's ability to share their thoughts and emotions with humans. Shinigami like his mentor were ancient. They had so many years of memories, such strong a hatred for life that they overwhelmed the personality of the victim. The victim sees themselves as one of them. Shinigami can't force the will of the victim, so they find those who are already similar to them in some way. Genocide found the collective universal distrust of police to be a prime sentiment to capitalize on. He armed the inmates, infecting them with samples of his own dark essence.One particular inmate caught Genocide's eye. He knew the man's work. An arsonist. The one whom he recalls was responsible for blowing up his first car way back in high school. Rather than a standard firearm, Genocide gave the man a random assortment of grenades containing a special surprise. Genocide showed them visions of anarchy, of sending a message to a society that used and disregarded them. While this was also true of how he felt, years of living in darkness had changed him. He needed no purpose. No end goal. No justification. He just wanted to watch the world burn.
Genocide's small army broke off to engage several different wings of the station. Genocide went to the security room. He found Wayne, his informant, playing some FPS on one of the monitors. Wayne took of his headphones and asked," You kill everyone yet?" Genocide responded," No. You should get going before that happens. Your life becomes fair game if I run out of pigs to cook." Wayne clapped his hands, "Aight, GC my man, say less." He packed his things and left. Genocide drew a twin pair of handguns and laid waste to the station. He followed a group that took cover in the men's restroom. Kicking open multiple stalls he was surprised to find...nothing. Where had they gone? He turned around and saw his mentor, Masataka, smiling at him. It looked like him. Long, dark hair, black clothing, and soulless, empty eyes. But it wasn't. It was Genocide's own reflection in the mirror. Genocide smiled. He didn't notice the changes at first. They must have happened gradually. Subconsciously. From the final stall, an officer sprung into action, rushing Genocide, hitting him point blank with a shockgun round. Genocide felt the tingling sensation electrifying his body and grew numb. In spite of the pain, he took a single step. Then, another. He came within striking range of the officer and snatched the shockgun. Two more officers erupted from another stall, battering him with baton strikes. Genocide felt nothing. He clutched the shockgun in his hand like a bat and went to work pulverizing his attackers. An officer kicked in the bathroom door, a woman holding a pistol. She fired multiple times to no effect. Genocide stood covered in blood. He even let her reload. Twice. He wanted to see her despair. Her hopelessness. He walked towards her, shrugging off bullets as they pierced his body. His wounds healed nigh instantly due to the dark essence he had been imbued with. He held her face with both hands, lifting her body off the ground. As she screamed, he used her head to shatter the restroom mirror, running down the full length of it while smashing her into it at several points. He dropped the remains of what he held, washed his hands with soap, dried them, then exited the restroom.
The inmates that rallied for the cause of genocide attacked the station. Fortunately, they were nowhere near Genocide in terms of power and only carried one type of firearm each. They shared his healing ability but could be killed quite easily. Gracia encountered a sniper on the end or a west wing hallway. Other officers waited behind corners unable to get close. Gracia noticed the faulty lighting. In this hallway, the lights flickered in intervals of 3 seconds. Finding a pattern and timing her movements, she rushed the sniper at the exact moment the lights went out. Running the length of the hall, Gracia zigzagged, dodging the sniper inmate's bullets. She jumped on a wall, ran 3 feet on it, then kicked off it, pouncing on the assailant. She fired five shots into him, making sure to hit the brain and the heart. Two severe injuries that were impossible for Shinigami essence to heal simultaneously. Elsewhere, Evans took on another escaped inmate. A vehicular arsonist named Carson. Carson had a bag filled with an assortment of different grenades and was happily giving them out like candy on Halloween. "A flash bang here, a bit of tear gas there. Oh. Wait! Was that an ice grenade? Did the explosion freeze your leg to the floor? Whoops. Maybe a fire grenade will melt that for you. Hold on let me get one fore you," Carson rambled gleefully. Evans looked at the carnage before him. Officers burning. Officers partially frozen in blocks of ice. He took a breath and aimed his wristgun. He steadied his right forearm. Carson readied to throw a random grenade. Evans shot it the moment it left Carson's hand. The grenade exploded directly in front of Carson. Both Evans and Carson looked at each other in shock. Confetti. A party grenade? Carson quickly fumbled for another but was tackled and restrained by several officers. Meanwhile in the South wing, Lary had some colleagues set a trap for another shotgun toting inmate. He had them bait the inmate and flee. Giving chase he turned a corner and ran straight into Lary's fist. The inmate recovered and motioned to shoot Lary. "Let's tango. " Lary gave the code word. Nearby officers activated a device. A signal jammer of sorts. The inmate shoved the barrel of his gun into Lary's gut and pulled the trigger. Nothing. The special signal jammer in question was designed for firearms. It was a last resort as it left officers just as defenseless. Lary was having fun. He boxed the inmate in hand to hand combat. Despite the inmate's enhanced strength, Lary's technique pulled through. Lary ducked under one of the inmate's wide punches and did some type of rising uppercut where he jumped off the ground while spinning. One of the other officers whispered" The rising dragon." Lary smiled giving a thumbs up" Yeah, it was a rising dragon uppercut. Saw it in one O my kid's vidya games. Thought I'd try it out while I'm jacked on adrenaline".
Jim Jimenez looked long and hard at himself in the mirror. He was in the women's restroom. Some brainless woman had broken the men's restroom mirror with her face. For the first time in a long while Jim could think clearly. He was becoming sane. At the least he was no longer a raving lunatic. The life essence of the dark gods had healed the wounds to both his body and his mind. He saw his face, his scraggly dirty beard. He found a razor and shaved. He trimmed his beard somewhat. He liked it. He washed his hair. It fell down his face like silk, no longer greasy. His bloodshot eyes once burning with crazed intensity had cooled. He blinked. Just for a second, he saw the man known as Genocide. The man that attacked him. The one that killed him and gave him new life. The drug dealers. The police. They were all the same in his eyes now. They were all to blame for the world being what it is. Jim wanted to hate them. He wanted to take revenge, but he felt nothing. It didn't matter. He knew he was wronged, could logically justify acting against them, but he just didn't care anymore. About anything. He was finally free. Sensing his presence was no longer needed here, Jim vanished into the night. He needed to find someone who had had the answers he needed. Himself. Who had he been? Who was he now? Who could he become? Where was he going? So many questions to ponder indefinitely. So much time left in the rest of his life.
Genocide ran down the station's halls raining hailstorms of bullets upon its occupants. He had a handgun in each hand as well as a wristgun on each wrist. This effectively gave him 4 separate firearms that he could use simultaneously. Lary regrouped with Gracia, Evans, and a handful of others. They radioed all surviving officers near Genocide to flee to the roof. This plan had been set in motion days before the assault and had been kept hidden from most of the force. The plan involved scheduling flights for several helicopters to arrive at some point after Genocide arrived. There would be no way for him to prepare for them and pre-scheduling their arrival ensured they arrived regardless of if they were called or not. Lary and the others set about preparing the second jamming device. Genocide stood among a hallway of bodies. He saw one man clinging to life trying to crawl away. He decided on trying that other thing he saw his master do. He grabbed the dying man and pinned him to the wall. Slowly he drove a knife into his chest. As the man's life slipped away, something else entered his body. Genocide channeled a small amount of his essence into the vessel. He had steadily done this with other casualties around the station whose bodies were somewhat salvageable. He dropped the body he was holding and looked upon the others. He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his eyed were black, both sclera and iris. The scene before him changed. Genocide had a vision. He saw a dead gray wasteland littered with bodies. These people however weren't cops and wore traditional Japanese attire. In his hand wasn't a gun or knife but a short sickle akin to a farming tool. He heard a dark voice call out to him. Slowly, the corpses around him began to rise, now mere puppets bound eternally to their master's whim. The bodies sold to the reaper who had claimed their lives. Genocide's vision ended. His eyes had returned normal. Around him, dead cops began to rise. His dark essence had entered their bodies and reanimated them. He sent his dead army to attack the officers fleeing to the roof of the station. These zombies swarmed the stairwell giving chase to the few survivors. There were five of them. They had two flights of stairs to climb and a horde of their former colleagues close behind them. One officer tripped and was set upon by the horde. The zombies didn't bite them but held them firmly in place. The other four officers stared down wondering what to do. They could hear Genocide chuckling. They could hear humming. They could feel the temperature rising. Their colleague and the two zombies holding him were hit by an enormous green fireball. Genocide had fired a Magnum Opus and had charged the bullet to level 3. The Magnum Opus was simply a magnum that shot fireballs, with bullets that could be charged by holding down the trigger. It had three levels of charges. Level 1 was a small reddish ball of plasma. Level 2 was slightly larger and yellow. Level 3 was the maximum charge and resulted in a large slow moving green blast of energy. The officer was ignited and Genocide watched gleefully as the force of the blast sent him flying through a wall. The four officers continued up firing occasionally to slow down the zombies. Soon they made it to a door leading to the roof. Before one officer could reach it, he was sniped by Genocide, a bullet to the head killing him instantly. The remaining three made it out. They regrouped with the others already there, 12 in total, including Lary, Evans, and Gracia. This would be their final stand. They just had to hold out until Genocide made it up there. They just had to keep Genocide occupied until the helicopters arrived. Genocide slowly ascended the stairs behind his horde. On the roof, the remaining survivors faced off against waves of the undead. Evans recognized the attackers. These zombies were being controlled by nanomachines. He heard the stories of several weapons encountered by soldiers on the battlefield. These creatures were called Metaldeads as they were reanimated via machines. They had been officially banned by most of the worlds' governments for being unethical. However, this did not stop the technology from being spread still between shady organizations, terrorists, etc. Evans wondered how Genocide got this form of nanotechnology. Evans long speculated that the dark essence used by most of the killers they encountered was a a form of nanotech however it was different from anything else he had seen or heard about. The dark essence seemed to be an amalgamation of other types of nanotech. Evans had to save his inquiries for later. He reloaded his wristgun and took aim at the approaching group of Metaldeads. Gracia steadied her handgun and shot two Metaldeads in the head. From the single door countless arms seemed to spill forth from the darkness. The other officers took turns firing in intervals. this allowed them to create a steady stream of fire where no more that three guns needed to be reloaded at once. The horde seemed to thin out over time as if they were making progress. In actuality, the Metaldeads were just making room for Genocide to enter. Genocide exploded in a sprint from the door. Everyone fired upon the killer. Genocide had now chosen a wrist mounted mini flamethrower to use as his weapon. He stormed past the oncoming bullets taking some damage, but refused to slow down. He unleashed a stream of fire that caught five of the officers in one fell swoop. Gracia fired five rounds into Genocide's face. He stumbled back. Lary took the chance to fire several mine gun bullets at Genocide's feet. The mines quickly detected his movement and exploded. In seconds, Genocide was on his back.
Staring at the night sky Genocide saw the moon. He reached for it. He called for the darkness to give him more power. His wounds began healing. In the sky he could hear the whirl of propellers. There were six helicopters in total. The first two had evacuated the survivors while the others stayed to engage Genocide. Genocide got up and unstrapped the sniper rifle from his back. He stood before the searchlights as a black silhouette, cornered but unwilling to back down. Lary stared down at him smiling. "Okay!" He shouted, "Let's Tango!" Upon this declaration the second jamming device was activated. Now, isolated on the roof, Genocide's guns couldn't be fired and the helicopters were out of range of the device. Now Genocide stood like a sitting duck. A helicopter fired a rocket. Genocide side stepped and grabbed it. He turned his body redirecting the rocket to hit another helicopter. As it exploded Genocide drew his knife and threw it at another helicopter. Behind the knife was such force that it shattered the helicopter window's glass, embedding itself in the pilot. This helicopter too went down where it exploded. "Holy clucknuggets!Did you see that!?" Lary said dumbfounded. Evans looked out the helicopter door he was in jaw open in shock. "There's no way." He collected himself quickly and radioed the remaining two helicopters to keep moving and to use their machineguns as much as possible. The helicopters reigned down upon Genocide tearing apart his body. Shreds of leather and darkened blood sprayed across the pavement of the roof. Gracia watched as Genocide's body was destroyed repeatedly as it tried to heal. Surely he had to stop at some point. After 10 minutes the helicopters had exhausted their cache of ammunition and soldiers opted to fire their own rifles and occasionally throw grenades. After about six minutes, they too had run out of bullets. Genocide stood unfazed. He had long since healed himself and now appeared intangible with gunfire seeming to pass through his body. His coat once ripped , now appeared whole though on closer inspection seemed to writhe. Gracia looked in horror as she remembered the tales her adopted father had told her. Tales he had in turn heard from his predecessors. Every so often officers had reported encounters with ghost like beings cloaked in a cloud of living dark mist. The beings were rumored to be responsible for the deaths of multiple people ranging from scientists, veterans, mafia, politicians, etc. They were seen near such crime scenes and even more shockingly appeared around several sites where suicides were committed. These beings were reportedly impervious to bullets and filled anyone who got near with an impending sense of dread. If Genocide was connected to them or somehow turning into one , there was little chance they would be able to defeat him. Gracia's fears were confirmed when she saw that Genocide's leather coat had been destroyed and he had replaced it with the dark mist coalescing from his own spilled blood. The dark mist, swirling, grew larger and several tendrils sprouted out from it. Gracia could briefly make out a figure standing next to Genocide. A hooded figure cloaked in the same black substance. The figure stared up at her with soulless, blackened eyes which seemed to beckon her to jump from the aircraft she was standing in. Compelling her to give in to the death that plagued the earth. Genocide kneeled to his master. The Shinigami, Masataka stared down at his disciple. "You have done a great service to us. Even now the sealed god stirs in its slumber. Its...Awakening will soon be upon us. It calls out for war. It begs for famine. It longs to continue its conquest. We are the death it so desires. The death that is necessary for this civilization to grow. Use the power that I have bestowed upon you. Finish the mission as you see fit." The Shinigami vanished and Genocide stood.Genocide stared at his hands. He remembered the first killing spree. He was on a bus. It stopped. A woman got on the bus and walked to the back smiling as she passed him. Something about her eyes unnerved him. They were so bright but something dark reflected inside them. He ignored the thought and put in his headphones. In minutes he had dozed off. He jumped awake. He looked around and froze in panic. All around him, everyone had been hacked to pieces. He saw the driver, actively being stabbed by a masked assailant. The mask, painted white with black eyeholes, stared back at him. It raised a finger over where its lips would be. Even under the expressionless visage, he could feel that same smile. He ran home that morning. He went to his room to find it destroyed. His posters, his computer, his tv, everything, had been ruined. He turned around and saw a man at the end of the hallway holding a sledge hammer. "The hell you been, boy?", his stepdad sneered. The man dropped his hammer and walked closer, veins pulsing with rage. He tried to explain how his car had caught fire forcing him to walk 4 miles to the nearest bus stop, but the man's fist was faster than his words. "Boy!Answer me when I talk to you!!" the man says as he backhands the taste out of the would be Genocide's mouth. He took that beating for several minutes before being left to stare at his ransacked room. He hated how his stepdad went out of his way to destroy the things he loved. Soon, another set of footsteps could be heard. It was his mother standing behind his locked door. She didn't knock, or say anything. She just stood there, doing nothing as always. He never knew if she came to talk to him or apologize. All he knew was that she could never bring herself to speak to or even acknowledge him. Maybe out of guilt or perhaps shame. A year or two later after he had had enough he ran away from home. Living out on the streets alone, without friends, or family, he would embark on countless killing sprees. These killings weren't of his own volition however. He was coerced by some corrupt officers from The Unit. They made him kill on their behalf. Sometimes they were protesters, sometimes they were drug dealers, other times, petty criminals they couldn't be bothered to process. It was routine for him to be used to kill entire houses of drug riddled addicts. During one such venture he entered a drug den, killing the dealer as instructed. He took out several junkies before turning to leave. A woman who survived her injuries clung to his heel begging him to stop. Looking down he aimed the handgun he was carrying at her head of long disheveled brown hair and fired. Feeling nothing, he kicked her body aside like trash when it hit him. Her face. This woman had been his mother. What was she doing in a place like this? He felt a shock of emotion. He wondered if she had always been like this, or had she changed after he left. He never made amends, but decided to stop killing from then on. The unit did not like that. Once it became apparent that he was no longer of use to them they started a manhunt to apprehend him with lethal force. They found him. They killed him. But he survived.
He remembered the girl on the bus. He remembered her eyes. Those of a sadistic killer. Still there was something else inside them. Something faint but deeper. So. Much. Sadness. Just like him. He felt the hatred begin to spread. His purpose, he decided, was to make all humans rot in the hell they created for him.
These people, he thought to himself, these living diseases, all needed to die. Their struggles, their problems, they spread like cancer to others. The only cure for humanity's sin, its collective wrongdoings, was genocide.
Around him, dark tendrils continued to form and expand, spinning in a vortex. Genocide pulled out two pistols. He squeezed the triggers to no effect. "As I see fit, huh? Hehe." He squeezed both guns in his hands, breaking them into pieces. He concentrated. In his hands, two more guns materialized now completely black due to being forged from the dark essence. Forged by his will. Immune to the jamming device that shut down conventional firearms. He raised his arms at each remaining helicopter and opened fire. Countless tendrils whipped out and slashed at his targets joining the dark essence bullets. It was chaos. Dark tendrils and bullets tore through every direction as Genocide spun and swirled around in 360 degrees firing randomly with purpose. A tendril pierced Gracia's right arm, another, her abdomen. She was however, fortunate, as the other passengers of her helicopter were dismembered. She barely had time to jump from the vehicle before it crashed. She fell 2 yards onto solid concrete. She felt immense pain as her right shoulder shattered on impact. She looked up to see Genocide's blade like appendages ripping through the other escape helicopters. She rolled onto her back and tried to steady herself. Within seconds her body began to repair itself. The nanocells inside her had saved her life but were now depleted. She would need another supplement lest she receive another fatal injury. The standard nanocells she and the others had were much less potent than those of the killers they faced. In truth, they had only minimal strength boosts being able to lift 5-8 more pounds than before and healing being limited to one or two fatal injuries so long as death didn't occur instantly. Gracia blacked out. She awoke the next morning in a hospital. There the doctors refilled her nanocells. She learned that the station had been left in ruins. Genocide had detonated some type of minature nuke following his rampage. He always blew up the stations as if to send a message. Gracia looked out the window thinking about why she became a cop. Twice her family had been murdered by them. Her biological family had been killed in an on record drug raid committed by a group of corrupt officers called The Unit. She had been adopted by another officer that arrived at the scene who found her as a child hiding in a closed. Sadly, he too was killed for trying to expose the activities of The Unit. Gracia joined the force to avenge both losses and bring justice to the killers that disguised themselves as normal people. Law enforcement was neither good, nor bad. It depended upon the people that made it up. In the dying corrupt world Gracia lived in, she vowed to be a beacon of light. Evans laid in a bed adjacent to Lary. "That damn Genocide's somethin else in' he?Like the stories you told us were understatements. That man could legit not die at this point in the story. Like he has friggin plot armor or somthin.'' Evans cut him off" I get it. We all got our asses handed to us. But did you see that ..thing that appeared next to him. Right before he created that black vortex that wiped us out. That must have something to do with his power. Maybe there's a still a way to stop him."Lary chimed in," That fella looked like he was on the way to a black metal concert wit all the black facepaint he was wearin' Creeped me out to be honest." As the survivors mulled over their predicament, the cycle of evil continued to spread elsewhere.
Budley flips through the pages of a magazine. He checks his watch. He looks around the gas station and doesn't see any customers. Seizing the opportunity, he puts in his headphones and begins playing an imaginary guitar as he jams to a progressive deathcore album. Oblivious to the screams coming from outside, the store clerk moves on to thumping two candy bars on the counter to simulate drums. Budley sees that his shift has ended and begins locking up the store. He sweeps the aisles and jumps as a shadow appears behind him. He turns and sees a well groomed bearded man dressed in a black hoodie, black shirt, and black and gray camo pants. The man holds out his hand and smiles. Budley rings up the pack of nicotine substitute gum. "Tryin to kick the habit huh?" Budley asks. The man replies, "Somethin like that. Gotta get my priorities back in check. Focus on the things that really matter. That damn KonCreep's a hell of a band aren't they?" He nods to the playlist on Budley's phone. "Yeah, they're killer. just got into them a month back." Budley answers. "You know, I'm something of a musician myself. Maybe you'll hear of me on the news someday." Jim Jimenez says as he sees himself out. He walks to the back of the building and passes an ominous form of graffiti. A woman lays unmoving and above her, written on concrete in red is a message that simply says "Genocide Reigns".

Genocide Reigns
(note: I'm an indie game developer making an action/horror title called Phantasphere. This story is a spin off set in the same universe)
Year 2480X Ryze County Police Department
He's coming. The ensuing panic spread like a virus infecting all present with symptoms of looming dread. Officers worked steadfast to prepare also taking what time remained to train the few combat hardened civilians whom had fled to the station earlier. If only they knew. This demon that presented itself as a man had led a string of senseless massacres across the country. Only recently had it begun to prioritize police stations and army bases as a means of breaking the will of civilians who knew they would be next. Officers from several counties across the states were transferred here for this last stand. This Genocide must not continue. Gracia checked her pistol. Some 20 bullets remained. "I can do this", she thought, "I have to". She had dealt with similar cases before. Some poor soul is overtaken by some inextricably evil force and makes it their life's work to propagate death. Gracia had killed quite a few already. Live arrests weren't always possible. Beyond saving, careful interrogations of the scarce live catches yielded a startling connection. These killers all alluded to a well of overwhelming hatred and despair that consumed them after making eye contact with...Pale, black eyed entities. Some type of demon? Ghost maybe? The idea seemed nonsensical, but there was evidence nonetheless that some outside force was using them to fulfill some unknown purpose. At the present time, all they could do was stop the killers after they had killed. It was always too late by then and more would appear randomly elsewhere. What good could be done here in an isolated station hoping to stop one guy out of possibly hundreds? "The guy we're waiting for is different from the others," detective Evans spoke from the center of a crowd nearby. Gracia moved in closer. "The others typically strike from the shadows, hide their faces behind masks, and prefer to get up close and personal with their victims. What we're dealing with is on a completely different scale. The trail of bloodshed this guy leaves is too difficult for the media to cover up. He loves the spectacle. Headlining the news. We can't keep using the burst pipeline excuse for 6 stations being destroyed in a row. We have to stop him before the world at large finds out. You wonder why we need so many people here? Its simple. We're gonna out-man this one man. He always attacks stations through the front door. Like other killers he's fast, strong- you know the usual, but he also uses guns." "What!", a voice rang out from the crowd. "They aren't supposed to do that!" another gasped. Officer Lary spoke with a cheesy grin" Ya tellin' me we just gotta deal with a regular ass gunman eh? That's a welcome change of pace init? Heck I'm too old to be running around being chased like I'm in some scary movie". The detective rebutted" You don't get it. He uses guns. Not a handgun, not rifles, not boom sticks, not rpgs, not knives not grenades but ALL of them. He uses guns. Plural. It'll take essentially an army to match his arsenal. He used to be a man named -redacted-, but in his pursuit of chaos he has become Genocide." A dark form manifests from the night outside the station. Genocide is coming.
Bang! something slams into the front door. Everyone freezes. Officer Tatum edges slowly to it, shockgun in hand. By no means lethal, the shockgun was lighter, easy to control, and could stun targets temporarily. If Genocide was here, Tatum could stun him and duck for cover leaving the station free to light him up like a Christmas tree. That was the plan they came up with. He got closer to the glass door and peered outside. He was met with hate filled bloodshot eyes framed by an unkempt beard and wild straggly hair. Tatum felt some relief. He knew the man outside. It was Jim Jimenez. Jim was a former drug dealer turned informant. He was found out and had to flee from his old life. He became homeless, hiding in plane sight. This allowed him safety at the cost of his mental health. Tatum knew the man, but those eyes were not his. Tatum blinked and saw that the look of malice had vanished. What he instead saw was a helpless, wounded man, bleeding from the right arm pleading for help. Tatum looked behind Jim, eyeing the empty lot. The coast seemingly clear Tatum unlocked the door and let Jim in. Jim had been roaming the town looking for shelter and tried squatting in an abandoned looking apartment complex. There he found that the building contained several murdered families some succumbing to gunshots but the majority having met their end to fire and suffocation. Jim had decided to make his way to the station to tell police what happened and met trouble on the way. He described getting stabbed by a man wearing a trench coat with long dark hair. Despite the injuries, Jim could move surprisingly well and seemed to ignore the pain. Jim insisted that the man had spared him on the condition he deliver a message. "What message?" Tatum asked. Jim beckoned him to come closer. Tatum leaned in and Jim whispered, "Tell them. Tell them that Genocide is coming closer." The following events were a blur. Jim had concealed the knife he was stabbed with. He stabbed Tatum 4 times in the chest and wrestled his shockgun away. Using Tatum as a shield, Jim engaged everyone in the lobby. Jim wasn't himself. He was stronger. He was faster. He was tactical. He would stun an officer in place only to stab them and use their as a body shield. No one could get a clear shot without hitting a colleague. Gracia watched the scene unfold. In minutes Jim had acquired a magnum from the holster of one of his victims. In seconds 3 officers had their heads exploded. The magnum rounds coated the walls red with those they hit and stained the clothes of those they missed. Gracia felt fear rising in her chest. She calmed herself and tried to think. She saw the bodies on the ground. The blood. She saw how dismissively Jim stepped over them. Like they were nothing. Like trash. She saw the man firing erratically into groups of people, not so much to kill but as to cause panic. That's it! As Gracia contemplated her next move it hit her. She was knocked backwards and landed on the ground. She weakly clutched her chest. Her breathing grew shallow. Jim mad his way deeper into the station. The officers were retreating from their standoff. Jim stepped over her body and saw red staining her uniform. Just another casualty. He moved on. At this point the civilians began panicking. Everyone gave up trying to save their allies and fired blindly at the madman. "Don't shoot the messenger," Jim laughed as he stripped his latest meat shield of an automatic rifle. Detective Evans took cover behind an overturned desk. To his left Larry struggled to light a cigar. "You still think this is a cakewalk?" Evans shouted firing 2 quick shots from his gun before ducking back down. Lary lost hold of his lighter and it clattered on the ground." Crap." He reached for it and looked in the corner of the room. A mirror. He looked at it for what seemed like ages and his smirk returned " Y'know that mex'n gal with the short hair. Where is she? I didn't see her get shot." Evans glanced a peak at Jim spraying lead in all directions. Behind him was a corpse. Evans blinked. It seemed to be getting closer. Its her. Gracia painstakingly inched her way into Jim's blind spot. She was roughly 6 feet away from him. Flanking him seemed like a brilliant idea but waiting idly by for the right moment as the people around her died filled her with anger. Worse still, she had to steal a blood soaked shirt from one of the deceased officers to keep up the facade. Inching ever so steadily she mad it within 3 feet of Jim. She reached behind her belt and unclipped a pair of handcuffs. Screams could be heard as more people were hit. Gracia couldn't wait any longer. Fluidly she got to her feet and rushed Jim. She kicked the back of his knee causing him to stumble as she put the handcuffs on him. Figuratively. The handcuffs were around Jim's neck. She yanked him back causing his gun to drop. "You don't know what you're doing." Jim spat. "We all need to accept it. The end of days is upon us. Death rides his horse through these forsaken lands. We must serve or be sacrificed in turn. Accept it!"He elbowed Gracia in the ribs causing her to let go. He spun around and lunged at her. She landed on her back, Jim steadily choking her. Gracia thought fast. She couldn't struggle. Jim was too strong. She delivered a precise chop to the center of Jim's neck which was exposed. Jim lurched back to catch his breath. A clean shot. A bullet pierced through Jim's back. Weakened, Gracia rolled him over and began punching him repeatedly using the handcuffs as brass knuckles. The sound of Jim's skull cracking echoed through the station. This would go on for nearly 20 seconds before Gracia stopped, checked his pulse, confirmed Jim was still alive, then finally put the cuffs on Jim's wrists.
Click. Bodies are wrapped and moved to a makeshift storage room. Click. The available weapons are gathered and redistributed. Click. Officers are assigned to sniping positions on neighboring buildings. Click. Police cruisers circle the lot outside. Click. In the holding cell, Jim opens his eyes. Click. Lary flicks his lighter. Click. Gracia sips coffee from a paper cup. Click. Shells hit the ground at the feet of Genocide. Click. Genocide walks outside a cafe and looks at the station in the distance. Click. Lary clicks his lighter.
"All ya'll gon' fall," Jim ranted." You can't drain the ocean. You can't put out the sun. Evil will always exist. That there Genocide is proof . I saw him. Saw myself within his eyes. Saw the evil in me that I could no longer try to hide. He taught me to embrace the darkness within. Its in all of us begging to be let out. Can you hear it!" Lary clicked his lighter and got up from his chair. He grabbed a cup of liquor from another officer mid sip and walked over to Jim. He doused it on Jim, the liquid stinging his open wounds. Jim yelped. Across the station, radios blurred to life. Several of their lookouts on the outside had been killed. "He's gon' get ya," Jim smiled imitating Lary's signature grin. "Genocide! Genocide! Genocide!" The other inmates saw the chance to irritate Lary and joined in all shouting in unison,"Ge-No-Cide! Ge-No-Cide! Ge-No-Cide!" The chanting grew louder. Unbearable. They invoked upon the name of the beast, and so it came.
Genocide is upon us. A wave of dread spread across the officers. They could feel its presence. Gracia knew the sensation. The awful aura that the other killers gave off. This was different. Far more oppressive. She struggled to breathe as the air got colder. Her instincts screamed for her to run. She could only imagine what the others were going through. Its time. Across the lot Genocide stood. A siren blared over the intercom. "Everyone get into positions!" Evans yelled. Wayne finished setting the last of the c4 near the station entrance. "That's the last of them. Have remote triggers set around all the major hallways. I'll be in the security room ready to pull the switch." Wayne acted as an explosives expert. His job was to detonate bombs placed throughout the station to slow down Genocide should it enter the building. He would stay in the security room, monitoring the cameras and giving real time updates on the officers' positions. From the holding cell, inmates chanted for Genocide. Lary got off his phone" That bastard mixed us up. How did we not notice?" Evans asked what he meant. Lary, dumbfounded, said that most of the town was already dead. Genocide had broken his usual pattern. He went on a killing spree across a defenseless town BEFORE attacking the police station. They had let everyone down. The people they swore to protect. This Genocide was a monster, but he was still a man. Capable of learning from his past actions. Planning. Adapting. It wasn't in his style to stealthily kill his victims or even use a silencer on any of his guns, but an exception had been made for tonight. An exception that would cost them. Gracia was stationed on the second floor. She peered out the window. Her heart skipped a beat. Two cruisers made slow donuts patrolling the lot and standing unmoving between them was a man all in black. Gracia called in to Wayne asking if he saw anything outside. Wayne said the monitors were all clear then checked again. He cursed. He noticed small details were off. The cameras showing the outside of the station were wrong. Sure they showed the same scenery and weather but cars passed by on screen too frequently for a dead town. Too many to make sense for the quarantine they had set in place. Wayne concluded that the cameras had been hacked. Different prerecorded footage was being shown on the live feed to misdirect them. Gracia saw the man look up at her. A light rain started to fall. The officers patrolling outside were contacted. From the holding cells, inmates called for genocide.

A company I interviewed with last year recently opened their applications for a new hiring cycle. For context, I completed 4/5 rounds and was cut before the final round. I didn't receive direct feedback about why I was cut. I think it was lack of preparation because I'd never been through an interview structure like they had and was very nervous in the 4th round because it was with one of the Csuite execs.
I don't think it would hurt to apply again given I've added new skills to my resume and have completed my masters degree in the time thats passed. I'm wondering if I should address it in the cover letter (and any tips how to do so)?

context: graduated with an art history degree in 2017, from a college with a pretty good reputation in the field. during undergrad, worked some local internships.
in 2018, i had a seasonal internship at a major museum, and then worked as a gallery assistant at a small gallery for the latter half of the year, both in NY.
in 2019 i moved states, to a place without much of an “art scene” (at least by NY standards) but i did manage to get an “art job”, which i stayed at until 2021 when the company folded. no name recognition, but i would say my duties there were auction house-adjacent.
in 2022, i moved back to NY, got a full-time 9-5 job as a copyeditor (not in a glamorous industry), and started grad school for art history (part time). i should be done fall 2025.
i’ve been reticent to apply to many art jobs (museums, galleries, artist foundations, and nonprofit orgs) because it would be a huge pay cut but i’m finally in a financial place where i can. i’ve had zero responses though, even for like, internships paying $16/hr. i know this isn’t unusual, but i swear that in 2018 i would at least get some initial responses from similar jobs.
i worry that my current job is working against me because it’s not “relevant”, even though some of the skills overlap with the jobs i’m applying for.
should i leave it off my resume? not mention it at all in my cover letters? as it is, i keep the description very brief and emphasize the skills that are relevant. i’m worried that a 3-year employment gap could also work against me.
in theory, i’m not above working my way back up from minimum wage part-time internships and the like. i’ve done it before and got by supplementing with hospitality jobs. but i’m approaching 30, need health insurance, and don’t know how many more years of working 6-7 days a week i have in me.

Looking to apply to 5 DOs, 25 target MDs, and 5 reach MDs. Please give any advice on what schools to add/remove! Or if I should have a different split between DOs/MDs! Thank you in advance if you reply!
Male; ORM
IL resident; FL undergrad.
cGPA: 3.78 (4.0 past two semesters)
sGPA: 3.75
500 hours clinical paid - pediatric scribing
150 hours clinical volunteering - cancer center
200 hours shadowing - internal med. + orthopedic surgery
50 hours international shadowing - pediatrics + opthamology
250 hours nonclinical volunteering - working with Down syndrome
200 hours nonclinical volunteering - church stuff
200 hours social justice/advocacy - foundepres. of diabetes awareness club
100 hours social justice/advocacy - leadership in mental health awareness club
other miscellaneous leadership/hours
300 hours literature review research on colorectal cancer and gut microbiome
100 hours clinical research assistant, basic vital taking really
strong LORs
DO List (4 but want 5):
Nova Southeastern
Michigan State
Midwestern
Rowan
MD Target List (27 but want 20):
Rosalind Franklin
Uni. Illinois Chicago
Loyola Chicago
Rush
Southern Illinois
Nova Southeastern KPCOM
FIU
GWU
Quinnipiac
Tulane
Wayne State
Western Michigan
Indiana
Northeast Ohio
Albany
New York Medical College
Wake Forest
Drexel
Penn State
Temple
Geisinger
Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Medical College of Wisconsin
UWisconsin
Reach MD List (4 but want 5):
UMiami
Georgetown
Dartmouth
Albert Einstein

Pinanood ko yung Stardoom ni Lino Brocka (available sa Cinema One Youtube page as 11 parter). Tungkol siya sa mabilis na pagtaas at pagbulusok ng isang newbie star - starring Walter Navarro, and Charito Solis. Na-obsess lang ako sa kay Walter Navarro kasi weirdly modern siyang tingnan. Nandun din si Hilda Koronel (parang teenager pa ata siya nun) at si Lotis Key, na mas kilala na as foster parent ni Wesley So(Filipino Chess Player).
Almost wala akong mabasa tungkol kay Walter Navarro except sikat daw siyang matinee star na biglang nawalan ng career mid-Seventies until nakito ko tong comment na to: <source>

Walter Navarro was around in the 1970s when I was involved in Television. When both of us were present in the studio, a lot of people mistook us for brothers. Maybe because we both speak Bicolano and both Eurasian as well.
Before he became an actor (it was Orlando Nadres and Tony Tenorio who put his photo at the cover of 16 Magazine) and later they introduced him to Mrs. Emilia Blas, producer of Lea Productions.
While he was busy in films, he was also doing the rounds of TV dramas and that's where we've worked together.
From what he had told me, he came from a very dysfunctional family. His mother who was from Bicol was never an inspiration for the young Walter. When he was young lad in Tondo, he was working as a factory worker, making holes for shoelaces. And when Nadres spotted him, he asked him if he wants his photo be placed on the cover of the komiks/magazine to which he acquiesed.
Without the guidance of his family, Walter became lost. He started drinking, despite the fact that he had a heart condition. He became an alcoholic. I even went to his rented house in New Manila a few times and his friends were there (mostly Tondo boys - his old stumping ground), playing mahjong and... you guess it, drinking.
Mrs. Blas lost all her patience and finally let him go. Once, he took his medication and accidentally OD'd. It paralyzed him partially and it took a while before he recovered. Then his heart ailment became serious. He ended up in the hospital and when I went to visit his house, he and the old couple who took care of him were no longer there. I had several roles written for him for TV dramas, but no one seemed to know where he was. I was already in north America when I heard that he had died.
Walter was a good person. Dysfunctional, indeed, but nevertheless a beautiful person. He gave me some of the records he cut under Vicor Music Corp. His voice was really excellent. I ripped them into DVD so I could listen to them whenever I go long driving. When I listen to his voice, I am always reminded of the generous Bicolano who once lived and made a lot of the Filipino public happy.
STARDOOM was almost prophetic. Like Joey in Orlando Nadres' story, his career and life were cut short by unfortunate circumstances. The psychological impact of his dysfunctional childhood was just too deeply embedded in his psyche and it took him to an early grave.
Unfortunately, the MAALAALA MO KAYA episode about his life (played by Alberta(sic) Martinez), didn't delve deeper into the reasons why Walter became what he was later (an alcoholic). The episode tells us what happens to a popular actor who didn't take care of his career and ended up tragically. That's all we saw in that episode.
Meanwhile, they have forgotten WALTER NAVARRO the person. Despite his weaknesses, he was a wonderful person and this side of the man was never told to us by the TV drama.

Meron ba kaung kilalang obscure star (na hindi na masyado kilala) at mga kwento about them?

Hello All, I am seeking to find a reputable individual/business that would be able to provide MSL-specific CV and cover letter input. I recognize that the job market can be discouraging and breaking into this area is not for the faint of heart, but as a soon-to-be PhD graduate (biomedical science), I need all the help I can get to make it past the ATS (and land an interview). I've searched LinkedIn but have yet to find any pharmaceutical industry-specific CV/Cover letter experts. I am open to CRA, Clinical Trial Project Manager, and pharmaceutical sales positions as a way to gain experience and build my network within industry, but, again, need some input on my applications since I have not received any useful feedback from any of my applications. Thanks in advance for your input.

Whether you own a restaurant, hotel, or any other business that relies on commercial appliances, it's crucial to keep them in top working condition. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about commercial appliance repair, including common issues, maintenance tips, and the benefits of hiring a professional repair service. For more information and expert advice, be sure to visit CooperFix for all your commercial appliance repair needs.
Common Commercial Appliance Issues:
Commercial appliances are built to withstand heavy use, but they can still experience issues from time to time. Some common problems include refrigeration issues, faulty wiring, water leaks, and temperature inconsistencies. It's essential to address these issues promptly to avoid downtime and ensure the smooth operation of your business.
Maintenance Tips:
Regular maintenance is key to preventing costly repairs and extending the lifespan of your commercial appliances. Simple tasks like cleaning coils, checking seals, and inspecting electrical connections can help identify potential issues early on. Additionally, scheduling routine maintenance with a professional service provider can help keep your appliances running efficiently.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Repair Service:
While DIY repairs may seem like a cost-effective solution, hiring a professional repair service offers numerous benefits. Experienced technicians have the knowledge and tools needed to diagnose and fix complex appliance issues quickly and effectively. They also have access to quality parts and can provide valuable maintenance tips to prevent future problems.
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I am in a BSMD program where we have to apply early decision the summer of our sophomore year. The score we need to get is a 516. I scored a 515 today and I'm confused on whether I should take the MCAT again in June (get it back in July) and just hope that I get the score to stay in the program. I just feel lost bc I was banking on this program, and I wasn't expecting this drop.
My other option is to just apply normally this cycle. I can obv wait for my score in July, but I am pretty sure applying that late would be really bad. My GPA is a 3.96. I have around 400 hours as a scribe/medical assistant, 400 research hours, 700 volunteer hours, 150 hours shadowing. I have 2 posters as well, good essays, and 6 LOR. I'm not sure if my ecs are up to par with other applicants in terms of hours because I've only done two years of undergrad so far. I think my MCAT and GPA might be good, but do you think schools would give me a chance in terms of hours? What is the best decision to make in this position. Honest opinions please.

https://archive.is/eRCLe
Relying on public transit systems to get from point A to point B in Massachusetts can run the gamut from, "I’ll just hop on the T,” to “never can I ever get there from here,” depending on a traveler’s location within the state.
A new report on regional transit funding by the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts, paid for by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, found the state’s public transportation system, particularly the regional transit authorities, to be fragmented and underfunded. They do not meet the needs of residents, especially those in more rural communities, the report states.
The report referred to the 15 regional transit authorities that cover routes outside of the greater Boston metropolitan area serviced by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as a “patchwork system," including the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. The report calls for a more sustainable system and for greater equity in allocation of services as well as funding.
The transit authorities outside of metro Boston, according to the report, lack a dedicated and sustained source of state revenue and rely more heavily on subsidies from the municipalities they service. Communities lacking an extensive property tax base, due to lack of business and industry and more remote housing, pay a larger share for the transportation services.
Municipalities subsidize an average of 32% of regional transit authorities' operating costs, as opposed to 12% of the MBTA’s operating costs.
The report found that state funding is stagnant, based mostly on past allocations without consideration for increasing allotments for capital expenses including repairs, expansion of services, seeking to attract new riders to increase ridership or for electrification of its fleets.
The report also notes that the MBTA serving the greater Boston metropolitan area gets the lion’s share of state money. It also has a dedicated funding source; a portion of the state’s sales tax is directed to support the extensive underground and bus system.
The report also found holes in the state where communities are outside all regional transit authority service areas; those blank spots occur in both the state’s western rural reaches as well as sections close to the Connecticut border and even densely populated South Shore municipalities. The report also found that there is no linkage, no connections, between transit authorities serving adjacent communities.
“We must do more to eliminate transportation deserts, and to ensure that urban and rural residents alike have access to public transit, not only within each region but across a more connected system across the state,” said Dr. Amie Shei, president and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.
“Transportation is a public good and we must invest in it today so we can achieve the commonwealth’s climate, economic development health and housing goals tomorrow.”
In announcing the Senate fiscal 2025 budget last week, state Sen. Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, said the proposed investment in regional authorities from the Fair Share Amendment, the Millionaire’s Tax passed by voters in 2022, reaches $120 million for operating assistance. The tax adds a 4% surcharge to all household income reported over $1 million.
The Fair Share funding is in addition to line items included in the body of the budget and brings the total investment in regional transit authorities to $214 million.
“The $214 million reflects a significant increase from Fair Share funds over our last budget,” Rodrigues said. The funds include $40 million to support fare-free initiatives throughout the systems as well as $10 million to enhance connectivity between services.
“The plan is to increase interconnectivity between RTAs; now you can’t get from Fall River to Brockton on the RTA,” Rodrigues said. The report noted that there is little coordination between the different regional transit authorities; little integration with each other. It’s not a unified system, does not span the entire state and does not run consistently and without service interruptions depending on the day of the week and anticipated ridership.
Sen. Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury, is one of the senators supporting the increased funding included in the body’s proposed budget. “With a record funding level of $214 million for FY25, if passed, this budget will represent an enormous investment in our regional transit authorities that allow us to offer expanded service, increased frequency and fare-free transit service,” Moore said. “By investing in our RTAs we’re choosing to bring more transportation options to individuals outside the MBTA system — something everyone should want.”
Ensuring transportation options for residents will enable greater economic development, an investment in bringing housing and jobs to areas outside of Boston, according to the report.
Regional transit authorities welcomed a program launched in fiscal 2024 that distributed $15 million for expansion and enhancement of existing services, to support connectivity between regional transit authorities and even support electrification projects. However, the report said there is no indication of continued funding.
The report concludes the state must provide a sustainable and constant funding source to regional transit authorities and foment cooperation between agencies.
The study was commissioned by the Quaboag Connector, a micro-transit initiative serving the residents of 10 rural communities west of Worcester and funded through a Synergy Initiative grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. The Quaboag Connector is led by the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation and the Town of Ware. It has provided some 66,000 rides in the past years, serving as a “lifeline for local residents,” according to the report.
“Where residents live in Massachusetts should not determine their mobility or access to opportunity,” said Melissa Fales, executive director of the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation. “This report underscores the critical need to incentivize connectivity across RTA service areas, particularly in rural areas and to identify dedicated funding streams to support independent micro-transit efforts that are working to fill the gaps in transit across the commonwealth.”

A man in his 40s materializes in front of a cafe . Apart from having long dark blue hair and wearing a striped towel as a cape, he looked completely ordinary. If one were to take a closer look at him, they would notise he was holding a pair of children's sunglasses. He looks around for a bit before quickly adjusting the strap of his his shoulder bag, tossing the sunglasses onto the street and walking into the cafe.
The man orders himself a cup of tea and goes to sit down at a free table. He opens his bag, which was stuffed full with papers and notebooks, and pulls out a gray notebook with the words "DON'T PANIC" written on its cover. He sets the notebook down on the table and turns back to his bag. He furrows his brows in annoyance as he struggles to find a pen from the paper-filled bag. After some time he finally manages to find one at the very bottom of the bag. He pulls the pen out of the bag, causing some of the papers to fall on the floor. He curses before getting up and crouching down to pick up the papers. He picks up the nearest papers and puts them on the table in a neat pile before reaching for the ones that fell farther under the table.
On top of the pile of papers was a stack of dark blue business cards, tied together with a rubber band. The cards had "Douglas Adams" along with his email an phone number written on them with golden letters.
[OOC: Introducing Douglas Adams (the other one with no connections to a certain Syndicate member of the same name). He's a freelance writer who's travelling around the world to finish one of his personal projects.
Ability: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
When he touches an object he can see a list of places the objects has been in within the last 24 hours along with some information about those places. He can then choose to teleport to one of those places.
I definetly didn't forget to post this. Nooo, of course not. That would be silly.]

hi all! super specific question, but i was wondering if i could do this. i'm moving back into a dorm to be a resident assistant next semester and i wanted to see if i could avoid spending extra money on bedding that i won't need later on. i was thinking if i fold the comforter in half amd put that inside of a twin duvet cover it would help keep it from looking too big. i know this will probably happen anyways. does this sound like a good idea?

CBPO Applicant 24-4 Passed : SI, Fitness and Drug Test Pending : Background Check, Poly and Medical Exam
I am medically disqualified and pending the medical waiver review board.
I found out through the process that I may have a color deficiency. I have never known my whole life and have not been impacted in my previous roles. I have submitted a medical letter and my resume to the Review Board.
Any tips I can do?
P.S I can see all colors just fine but just struggle during the Ishihara Color plates

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be at the forefront of technological innovation, with several trends shaping its current trajectory:

1. AI in Healthcare: AI is revolutionizing healthcare by enabling advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. From medical imaging and diagnostics to drug discovery and personalized medicine, AI-powered technologies are improving outcomes, reducing costs, and transforming the delivery of healthcare services.
2. Autonomous Vehicles: The development of autonomous vehicles represents a significant trend in AI, with companies investing heavily in self-driving technology. AI algorithms enable vehicles to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and navigate safely and efficiently, paving the way for a future of autonomous transportation.
3. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP technologies are advancing rapidly, enabling machines to understand and generate human language with increasing accuracy. Applications of NLP span virtual assistants, chatbots, sentiment analysis, language translation, and more, driving advancements in human-computer interaction and communication.
4. AI Ethics and Governance: With the growing impact of AI on society, there is increasing attention on ethical considerations and responsible AI governance. Discussions around bias mitigation, transparency, accountability, and data privacy are shaping the development and deployment of AI systems, ensuring they align with ethical principles and societal values.
5. AI in Finance: Financial institutions are leveraging AI for a wide range of applications, including fraud detection, algorithmic trading, risk assessment, and customer service. AI-powered algorithms analyze vast amounts of financial data to inform decision-making, optimize processes, and mitigate risks in the financial industry.
6. AI-driven Personalization: AI is driving personalized experiences across various domains, including e-commerce, content recommendation, and digital marketing. By analyzing user data and behavior, AI algorithms deliver tailored recommendations, products, and services, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.
7. AI in Cybersecurity: As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, AI is playing a critical role in cybersecurity defense. AI-powered solutions can detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time, identify anomalies, and strengthen defenses against cyber attacks, safeguarding organizations' digital assets and infrastructure.
8. AI for Sustainability: AI technologies are being deployed to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability across industries. From optimizing energy consumption and resource allocation to monitoring biodiversity and combating climate change, AI-driven solutions are driving positive environmental impact and sustainability initiatives worldwide.

These trends reflect the growing influence and potential of AI to transform industries, enhance human capabilities, and address complex challenges facing society. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect further innovations and advancements that will shape the future of technology and society.