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The media has been painting retail investors as degenerate gamblers. I thought real-life, bona fide, actual degenerate gamblers here might be interested in this information.
Basically, Wall St hedge funds, market makers and banks got caught with their pants down selling shares they didn't have back in 2021. The internet pig-piled on them so they halted trading because they lost at their own game. According to the government's GameStop report, the stock was shorted to 226%. Retail's mouse fart of buying volume pushed them over the edge.
Since then, a massive psychological operation has been happening in mainstream media to get people to sell. I'm sure you've seen the articles bashing GameStop every time it goes up (if not, turn on the news).
Ask yourselves why the media didn't bash NVDA when it went up 800%. It's because the rich were on the winning side of that trade.
The government dragged a streamer before Congress, inadvertently creating a folk hero, who just returned after a 3 year hiatus and the internet is going crazy.
This only made everyone even more wild for the stock. In the next 3 years, the new chairman and CEO turned the company profitable, eliminated debt, built a war chest of over a billion dollars, and cultivated a rabid following of regular customers.
In any case, the shit is running again. GameStop was $10/sh a week or two ago and keeps bouncing between $50 and $80, triggering limit up, limit down circuit breakers all day long for multiple days. People who have been red for 3 years are green again. People who just bought a week or two ago are flush with free money.
It looks like a solid gamma ramp is rocketing us up and up. Yesterday, the entire options chain was in the money. The media is doing everything they can to get retail to sell. Naked short sellers have continued to naked short. Retail has continued to buy, and direct register their shares with Computershare, the company's transfer agent, sapping Wall Street's manipulative powers brick by brick. Turns out, brokers like Fidelity, Shwab, eTrade etc only sell IOUs and not actual shares.
AMC, KOSS, and to a lesser extent HYMC are also running. The idea is that these tickers are part of a basket of stocks targeted by naked short sellers. Indeed, they have nothing to do with each other and exist in separate industries, but have been dipping and ripping in tandem with GME this whole time.
If you ever wanted to break a piece off Wall Street's ass, it might be a good time to throw a pile of money into Computershare and buy some moon tickets. I've never cared what other people do with their own money - and still don't - but thought you guys might be interested in knowing what's going on.

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3.4. Mahishasaka or Sarvāstivādis

[wisdomlib.org:] [Mahishasaka had the doctrines] similar to those of the Mahasanghika. [Mahishasaka] denied reality to past and future, but maintained the reality of the present. Similarly, the school rejected the doctrine of the void and the non ego, the production of taint by the Five consciousness, the theory of nine kinds of non activity, and so on. They held that enlightenment came suddenly rathern than gradually.

Mahasamghika split from the Sthaviravāda (Theravada or Dhamma-Vinaya) and produced many schools.

According to the Theravādin Dīpavaṃsa, the Sarvāstivādins emerged from the older Mahīśāsaka school, but the Śāriputraparipṛcchā and the Samayabhedoparacanacakra state that the Mahīśāsaka emerged from the Sarvāstivāda. [Sarvastivada (wiki)]

Some Vajjian monks, who were possibly the followers of Devadatta, established the Mahasamghika after the schism after rejecting ten Vinaya rules. Like a few other monks, a Vajjian monk complained about the Vinaya rules. The story is recorded in Vajjiputta Sutta, which was utilised to support an argument that the Dhamma-Vinaya tradition added new rules. Indeed, the Buddha, the founder of the Dhamma-Vinaya Sasana, added new rules as required. However, before His passing He let the monks remove the minor rules, but the monks kept all the 227 rules. Only some Vajjian monks once again attempted to remove ten rules and split the Sangha after their attempt failed. These rebel monks founded many schools that united into Mahayana. The Sarvāstivādis wrote many famous Mahayanist scriptures.

Gandhāran Mahīśāsakas are associated with the Pure Land teachings of Amitābha Buddha. [Seated Buddha Amitabha statue.jpg (wiki)]

• Mādhyamika Also known as: Śūnyavāda, Shunyavada, Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Sarvastivada Also known as: Sarvastivadin, Vaibhashika, Encyclopaedia Britannica

Mahāsaṅghikās revised the Dhamma and Vinaya in their own way. The revised collections were known as Ācariyavāda as distinguished from the Theravāda of the First Buddhist Council. Dīpavaṃsa says, that the Mahāsaṅghikās did not stop after changing the Vinaya rules. They went further by laying down for themselves new doctrines contrary to the established ones. They recited for their purposes the sūtras and Vinaya, they made alterations in the texts and their arrangements and interpretations.
There are four kinds of teachings, that can be accepted as the Buddha's words – sutta, suttānuloma, ācariyavāda, attanomati. In Parinibbāna Sutta there are other four kinds of teaching – Buddhāpadesa, Saṅghāpadesa, Sambahulattherāpadesa, Ekattherāpadesa. They are not contradicting each other.
They also replaced portions of the text by others according to their liking and even rejected certain parts of the canon though they have been accepted according to the tradition of Mahā Kassapa's council. They refused Parivāra and Abhidhamma Pakaraṇa, Paṭisambhidā, Niddesa and Jātaka.
Mahāsaṅghikās divided their canon into five parts: 1. Sūtra, 2. Vinaya, 3. Abhidhamma, 4. Miscellaneous, 5. Dhāranīs. [ Notes from BPU Sri Lanka - Third Year ]

According to Sibani Barman in Dipavamsa (study): Chapter 2d - The Third Buddhist Council,

the Vibhajjavādins claim that their theories and Canon are same as the original Sthaviras (the elders).

• But that statement is untruthful. Kaccānagotta Sutta is a living proof. This is explained in 3.3.

Sarvāstivādis Doctrines

[David Bastow. The first argument for Sarvastivada. Asian Philosophy Vol. 5 No. 2 Oct.1995 Pp.109-125 Copyright by Asian Philosophy]

[Bastow:] The argument is two-fold: that past states of mind can be directly perceived; and that the temporal and causal context of these states of mind, including their karmic future and the possibility of an alternative saving future, can also be directly perceived.

In demonstrating their belief, the Sarvāstivādis attacked, the Venerable Maugdalyayana in the Maugdalyayana-skandhaka, the first chapter of the Vijnanakaya (200 BCE?):

[Bastow:] The sramana Maugdalyayana says: The past and the future do not exist; the present and the unconditioned (asainskrta) exist.

• Atacked: Singled out a thera, ignored the Buddha, and attacked the Dhamma;
• The Venerable Maugdalyayana represents the Sakyamuni Buddha.
• The past is memory, not the present dhamma. The past as memory is perceived, not lived nor imagined. The past as perceived is not lived, but it was lived, so it can be perceived.
• The future is yet to be lived, so it cannot be perceived, but it can be planned, expected and imagined.

[Bastow:] Section 1: [The Sarvāstivādis argued based on] probably Anguttara Nikaya III section 69 (i.e. A i 201-3). "There are three akusala-mulani (roots of ill, roots leading to bad consequences). These are lobha, greed; dvesa, anger; and moha, confusion." From this agreed premise the argument proceeds, first taking the case of lobha. There is no doubt then that there has been, is, will be a seeing that lobha is akusala (otherwise translated: a seeing of akusala--presumably meaning akusala-dharmas--in or through lobha). The lobha that is thus seen--is it past, present or future? If it is past or future, then it must be admitted that past or future exist. So could it be present?

• Lobha (greed) which existed in the past does not exist now, nor will exist in the future. When the object that caused that state of mind dimished, that greed also dimished. For example, one ate a certain food with greed. After eating it, greed was replaced by another state of mind, sleepiness, which was about sleeping and delusion. Sleepiness is different from craving for food. One does not get sleepy for food.
• If the same greed were to exist until now, one must be greedy the same way one was greedy for that food. Then one must not have different states of mind, anger and delusion.
• Greed cannot liberate anyone from anger and delusion.
• If that greed and all other greed must exist right now, greed must be accumulating and becoming too much to handle.
• And there were times of anger and delusion.
• Can anyone proove they are suffering from all the greed, anger and delusion which they had in the past?

[Bastow:] To allow this would involve admitting that there are in one pudgala two simultaneous cittas, states of consciousness; but this cannot be admitted. However, there must be seeing of either past lobha, or future lobha, or present lobha; otherwise it could not be that someone sees that lobha, akusalamula, is akusala. And in that case it would not happen that someone becomes repelled by lobha, detached, freed from lobha, obtains nirvana (or has obtained or will obtain nirvana).

• Hetu paccaya (root condition)
• Root (anusaya) exists but not as a plant (lobha).

[Anusaya Sutta:] its root destroyed, made like a palmyra stump, deprived of the conditions of development, not destined for future arising; [Thanissaro Bhikkhu] [Anusaya] are identified or associated with kleśa, paryavasthāna, and āsrava, and they are the ‘root’ of bhava [Dr. Ari Ubeysekara:] The seventh and the last of the latent tendencies is [obsession with ignorance (avijjanusaya)] which can be considered as the root cause of all unwholesome actions.

• Root (obsession) of greed is not greed.
• Nibbana is realised by exhausting the past kamma committed based on greed, anger and delusion.
• Anusaya Sutta: Obsessions (1): the seven obsessions

[Bastow:] The same argument is then applied to other things that can be seen with respect to lobha: it can be seen that lobha is a fetter, a bondage, an anusaya; and further that lobha is to be rejected, to be left behind, to be abandoned, to be fully known (prajna).

• Sarvāstivādis knew about anusaya, but they might not understand it as explained by the Sakyamuni Buddha.
• Lobha comes into being when consciousness comes to contact with a sight, sound, smell, taste, touch or thought of an object/subject that is alluring.
• Dosa comes into being when consciousness comes to contact with a sight, sound, smell, taste, touch or thought of an object/subject that is agitating/annoying.
• Moha comes into being when consciousness comes to contact with a sight, sound, smell, taste, touch or thought of an object/subject that is difficult, mysterious, deluding...
• Lobha, dosa, and moha cannot exist at the same moment of consciousness, nor unconscious-ness.
• Lobha, dosa, and moha are cetasika.
• Citta and cetasika need each other's support to stand like the two sheaves of reeds.
• Lobha, dosa, and moha cannot be abandoned, but they must be eradicated by digging out the roots.

Devadaha Sutta (2)

[SN 22:2 Venerable Sāriputta explained to a large number of monks:] ‘When one is not free from passion, desire, love, thirst, fever, & craving for [rūpa], then from any change & alteration in that [rūpa], there arises sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, & despair. When one is not free from passion… for feeling… for perception… for fabrications… & despair. When one is not free from passion, desire, love, thirst, fever, & craving for consciousness... & despair. Seeing this danger, our teacher teaches the subduing of passion & desire for [rūpa]… for feeling… for perception… for fabrications. Seeing this danger our teacher teaches the subduing of passion & desire for consciousness.’

A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 1

by Surendranath Dasgupta 1922 212,082 words ISBN-13: 9788120804081
Quoting Vasumitra (100 A.D.), Surendranath Dasgupta presents three major Mahayanist groups as doctrinally not very different, and the Hindu authors ignored their (minor) differences.

1. Mahāsaṅghikas: the body was filled with mind {citta) which was represented as sitting,
2. Prajñaptivādins: no agent in man, no untimely death, for it was caused by the previous deeds of man,
3. Sarvāstivādins believed that everything existed.

We can observe how all these doctrines are presented in the earliest Mahayanist sutras, particularly the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra, the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, the Lankavatara Sutra, Saddharma Pundarika Sutra (the Lotus Sutra).

the Prajñaptivādins had inaugurated the Śūnyavāda by drawing up a list of ten emptinesses. In the Mahāvibhāṣā [...] we read [...] there are many śūnyatās [...] Were the Prajñaptivādins the inventors of these ten śūnyatās or were they borrowed from the Mahāyānists? [II. Emptiness in the Hinayānist sects]

Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön asks that question. The Hindu writers seem to have the answer:

[Dasgupta] When the Hindu writers refer to the Buddhist doctrine in general terms such as “the Buddhists say” without calling them the Vijñānavādins or the Yogācāras and the Śūnyavādins, they often refer to the Sarvāstivādins by which they mean both the Sautrāntikas and the Vaibhāṣikas, ignoring the difference that exists between these two schools.

Nāgārjuna did not consider the Prajñaptivādins as Mahayanists. Mahayana did not exist when the Mahāsaṅghikas was formed after the second schism (Devadatta's schism was the first), so they are considered as Sthaviravādis, who produced Prajñaptivādins and Sarvāstivādins. By AD 5th-6th, Bodhidharma arrived to China, and according to him, Mahayana was well-established as the Yogacara school, which adopted the Lankavatara Sutra.

Bodhidharma was believed to have introduced the Lankavatara Sutra to Chinese Buddhism. This sutra was a development of the Yogacara (“Mind-only”) school of Buddhism established by the great masters Asanga and Vasubandhu, and Bodhidharma is described as a “master of the Lankavatara Sutra”. [ Bodhidharma – the founder of Gongfu (Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline)]

The authors of the Lankavatara were the Sarvāstivādins.

[Bodhidharma:] the only reason I’ve come to China is to transmit the instantaneous teaching of the Mahayana This mind is the Buddha. (Bloodstream Sermon)
[Bodhidharma:] "This nature is the mind. And the mind is the buddha."
[Lanka:] this triple world is nothing but a complex manifestation of one’s mental activities."

Bodhidharma, known as an expert in the ten-stage sutra, was a zen master, from the Yogacara school. He did not know vipassana, as he condemned arhats. He was clearly a follower of Mahadeva, who authored the five points downgrading the arhats.

[Bodhidharma:] Among Shakyamuni’s ten greatest disciples, Ananda was foremost in learning. But he didn’t know the Buddha. All he did was study and memorize. Arhats don’t know the Buddha...

Bodhidharma did not know the meaning of arhat. Nāgārjuna defines arhat in Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra as follow:
[quote]
1. Ara means enemy (ari) and hat means to kill (han). The expression therefore means “killer of enemies”.^\1]) Some stanzas say:

The Buddha has patience (kṣānti) as his armor (varman), Energy (vīrya) as his helmet (śīrṣaka),
Discipline (śīla) as his great steed (mahāśva),
Dhyāna as his bow (dhanus),
Wisdom (prajñā) as his arrows (śara).
Outwardly, he destroys the army of [Māra] (https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mara#mahayana) (*mārasena*).
Inwardly, he destroys the passions (kleśa), his enemies.
He is called Arhat.

1. Furthermore, A marks negation and rahat means ‘to be born’. The expression means, therefore, “unborn”. The seeds (bīja) of the mind of the Buddha (buddhacitta) ‘do not arise’ in the field of rebirths (punarbhavakṣetra), for ignorance (avidyā) in him has been dissolved.

[end quote] Nevertheless, the Flower Sermon, which was composed in 1036 states that Mahayana comes from Kashyapa, whom Bodhidharma mentions in the Bloodstream Sermon. Based on Bodhidharma's attitude to the arhats, that Kashyapa could not be the Venerable Mahakassapa, the father of the Sangha who established the Theravada. However, that Kashapa appears in the Lankavatara Sutra:

Kashyapa (fl. 400 B.C.) . Also known as Uruvilva Kashyapa or Mahakashyapa, he was the eldest of the three Kashyapa brothers and among the Buddha’s earliest disciples. He was also India’s First Patriarch of Zen. [Lankavatara Sutra: Glossary. Page 458]

The Mahayanists expect they could become Buddhas by following these individuals.

The Flower Sermon (1036 AD) : the Buddha gathered his disciples together for a talk on Dharma. Instead of speaking, however, the Buddha simply held up a lotus flower in front of him without saying a word. “I possess the true Dharma eye, the marvelous mind of Nirvāṇa, the true form of the formless, the subtle Dharma gate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special transmission outside of the scriptures. This I entrust to Mahakasyapa.”

Live Music

• Jim Lamb, Mill Top Tavern, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Bret Blackshear, Pierre's Pub, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Smokin' Joe Schauer, Tradewinds Lounge, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Reggie Starrett, Mill Top Tavern, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Dewey Via, The Press, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• David Watt Besley, Hurricane Grill & Wings, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Gary Douglas Campbell, O.C. White's Seafood, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Craig Smith, Old Coast Ales, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Chillula, Pierre's Pub, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Wednesday Pier Farmers Market

• The Wednesday Pier Farmers Market at the St. Johns County Pier offers fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and local arts and crafts every week**.** With a number of different vendors, visitors can find a variety of unique, quality goods. Each item is handcrafted by these dedicated artists, and the food is locally grown and handpicked.
• This beachside farmers market makes for a great outing on Wednesday morning. Visitors can browse the huge selection of locally produced goods and then afterward take a stroll along scenic St. Augustine Beach. Farmers Markets help the local economy by allowing local merchants to sustain their business and also offer fresh, local foods to the community.
• Admission: FREE
• When: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm every Wednesday
• Where: St. Johns County Pier Park is located at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier at 350 A1A Beach Blvd in St. Augustine Beach.

Chamber Music Series: 9B Woodwind Quartet

• The Chamber Music Series of the Romanza Festivale presents the 9B Woodwind Quartet on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at noon.
• All four members have performed in several ensembles, many have taught music in the area, and all seek to preserve and promote woodwind chamber music. Founded by Jeff Ackerman, the 9B Woodwind Quartet offers music from multiple genres and across all eras, from early music to modern pop arrangements and stage numbers.
• Jeff Ackerman plays oboe for the quartet. He is the Fine Arts Department Chair and the band, guitar, and piano instructor for Westside High School in Jacksonville. Lee Sellers had a long career working with student bands in Texas and Florida, most recently in St. Johns County. Lee plays flute in the 9B Quartet and has performed as flutist and piccolist with several ensembles, including the Florida Flute Orchestra, the Trade Winds Quintet, Hollingsworth Winds, and the First Coast Flute Choir in Jacksonville. Multi-instrumentalist Robbie Zukauskas plays bassoon in the quartet and plays in several area ensembles and has performed with several military bands. Lynn Jason plays clarinet with the ensemble and has a music degree and a master's degree in library science. She also plays with several ensembles in Northeast Florida.
• Admission: Free.
• When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
• 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.

West King Wednesdays

• Every third Wednesday of the month, from February through December, small businesses in West Augustine showcase their community, products, and culture. Each West King Wednesday event can include up to six pop-up markets, operating from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., along West King from US-1 to Rodriguez Street. The event also includes live music, local artists, and special eats.
• Participating businesses include Stay True Tattoo, Serenity Yoga, Muggsy's, Bog Brewery, Tacos My Blessing, Buena Onda Café, Local Refillery, Epik Beauty, Sailbird Distillery, Murf's Homestyle TOGO, Sweet City Cupcakes, Mystic Concoctions, Broudy's Liquor, Wet Tees T-shirt Printing, Solar Stik, Paper Root, Komorebi Bonsai Garden, Maracuya by Llama Restaurant, The West Egg, and A Coastal Home by Vintage Chic.
• Parking is available in a shared lot at Sweet City/Murf's as well as the public lot at Bog Brewery. There is also a grass lot across from Serenity Yoga.
• Admission: Free
• When: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, from February through December.
• Where: West King District is located on West King Street between U.S. 1 and Rodriguez Street.
• The cover photo represents four of the participating local businesses: Bog Brewery, Tacos My Blessing, Sweet City Cupcakes, and Local Refillery.

Improv Night at Colonial Oak Music Park

• Trained comedy professionals dive headfirst into any challenge the audience throws at them in this unscripted, interactive comedy experience held each Wednesday at Colonial Oak Music Park in Historic Downtown.
• Suitable for the whole family, the show is always clean and never mean. Staged by First Coast Comedy, Improv Night features comedians trained by actor and comedian, Alex Grindeland, and veteran improv comedian, David Bogan.
• Admission: There is no set price, and ticket donations of $10.00 to $25.00 are appreciated. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or on the day of the show, for this general admission seating event.
• When: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays through 2024
• Where: The Colonial Oak Music Park is located at 21 St. George St. in Historic Downtown.

Isabelle Scott, Harpist

• The Romanza Festivale presents harpist, Isabelle Scott, with a women's ensemble conducted by Ms. Kerry Fradley, at the Waterworks, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Isabelle Scott, from Northeast Florida, has performed as a harpist through high school and college. She recently earned her master's degree in harp performance from Florida State University. Ms. Scott has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony's Youth Orchestra, the Jacksonville University Orchestra, and as a substitute harpist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Coastal Symphony of Georgia.
• The evening's program will feature several works for solo harp and Brahms's Four Part Songs, written for harp, two horns, and women's voices. For the Brahms piece, Ms Scott will be joined by the Women's Ensemble, conducted by Kerry Fradley.
• Admission: Free.
• When: Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: The St. Augustine Waterworks is located at 184 San Marco Avenue in uptown St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
• Getting There: While the address is 184 San Marco Avenue, the only driveway on San Marco is Exit Only. Access to the Waterworks is through the St. Augustine Main Library parking lot. (Use 1960 North Ponce de Leon in your GPS.)
• 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.

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

Live Music

• Jim Lamb, Mill Top Tavern, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Bret Blackshear, Pierre's Pub, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Smokin' Joe Schauer, Tradewinds Lounge, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Reggie Starrett, Mill Top Tavern, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Dewey Via, The Press, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• David Watt Besley, Hurricane Grill & Wings, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Gary Douglas Campbell, O.C. White's Seafood, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Craig Smith, Old Coast Ales, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Chillula, Pierre's Pub, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Wednesday Pier Farmers Market

• The Wednesday Pier Farmers Market at the St. Johns County Pier offers fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and local arts and crafts every week**.** With a number of different vendors, visitors can find a variety of unique, quality goods. Each item is handcrafted by these dedicated artists, and the food is locally grown and handpicked.
• This beachside farmers market makes for a great outing on Wednesday morning. Visitors can browse the huge selection of locally produced goods and then afterward take a stroll along scenic St. Augustine Beach. Farmers Markets help the local economy by allowing local merchants to sustain their business and also offer fresh, local foods to the community.
• Admission: FREE
• When: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm every Wednesday
• Where: St. Johns County Pier Park is located at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier at 350 A1A Beach Blvd in St. Augustine Beach.

Chamber Music Series: 9B Woodwind Quartet

• The Chamber Music Series of the Romanza Festivale presents the 9B Woodwind Quartet on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at noon.
• All four members have performed in several ensembles, many have taught music in the area, and all seek to preserve and promote woodwind chamber music. Founded by Jeff Ackerman, the 9B Woodwind Quartet offers music from multiple genres and across all eras, from early music to modern pop arrangements and stage numbers.
• Jeff Ackerman plays oboe for the quartet. He is the Fine Arts Department Chair and the band, guitar, and piano instructor for Westside High School in Jacksonville. Lee Sellers had a long career working with student bands in Texas and Florida, most recently in St. Johns County. Lee plays flute in the 9B Quartet and has performed as flutist and piccolist with several ensembles, including the Florida Flute Orchestra, the Trade Winds Quintet, Hollingsworth Winds, and the First Coast Flute Choir in Jacksonville. Multi-instrumentalist Robbie Zukauskas plays bassoon in the quartet and plays in several area ensembles and has performed with several military bands. Lynn Jason plays clarinet with the ensemble and has a music degree and a master's degree in library science. She also plays with several ensembles in Northeast Florida.
• Admission: Free.
• When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 32 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
• 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.

West King Wednesdays

• Every third Wednesday of the month, from February through December, small businesses in West Augustine showcase their community, products, and culture. Each West King Wednesday event can include up to six pop-up markets, operating from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., along West King from US-1 to Rodriguez Street. The event also includes live music, local artists, and special eats.
• Participating businesses include Stay True Tattoo, Serenity Yoga, Muggsy's, Bog Brewery, Tacos My Blessing, Buena Onda Café, Local Refillery, Epik Beauty, Sailbird Distillery, Murf's Homestyle TOGO, Sweet City Cupcakes, Mystic Concoctions, Broudy's Liquor, Wet Tees T-shirt Printing, Solar Stik, Paper Root, Komorebi Bonsai Garden, Maracuya by Llama Restaurant, The West Egg, and A Coastal Home by Vintage Chic.
• Parking is available in a shared lot at Sweet City/Murf's as well as the public lot at Bog Brewery. There is also a grass lot across from Serenity Yoga.
• Admission: Free
• When: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, from February through December.
• Where: West King District is located on West King Street between U.S. 1 and Rodriguez Street.
• The cover photo represents four of the participating local businesses: Bog Brewery, Tacos My Blessing, Sweet City Cupcakes, and Local Refillery.

Improv Night at Colonial Oak Music Park

• Trained comedy professionals dive headfirst into any challenge the audience throws at them in this unscripted, interactive comedy experience held each Wednesday at Colonial Oak Music Park in Historic Downtown.
• Suitable for the whole family, the show is always clean and never mean. Staged by First Coast Comedy, Improv Night features comedians trained by actor and comedian, Alex Grindeland, and veteran improv comedian, David Bogan.
• Admission: There is no set price, and ticket donations of $10.00 to $25.00 are appreciated. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or on the day of the show, for this general admission seating event.
• When: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays through 2024
• Where: The Colonial Oak Music Park is located at 21 St. George St. in Historic Downtown.

Isabelle Scott, Harpist

• The Romanza Festivale presents harpist, Isabelle Scott, with a women's ensemble conducted by Ms. Kerry Fradley, at the Waterworks, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Isabelle Scott, from Northeast Florida, has performed as a harpist through high school and college. She recently earned her master's degree in harp performance from Florida State University. Ms. Scott has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony's Youth Orchestra, the Jacksonville University Orchestra, and as a substitute harpist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Coastal Symphony of Georgia.
• The evening's program will feature several works for solo harp and Brahms's Four Part Songs, written for harp, two horns, and women's voices. For the Brahms piece, Ms Scott will be joined by the Women's Ensemble, conducted by Kerry Fradley.
• Admission: Free.
• When: Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: The St. Augustine Waterworks is located at 184 San Marco Avenue in uptown St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
• Getting There: While the address is 184 San Marco Avenue, the only driveway on San Marco is Exit Only. Access to the Waterworks is through the St. Augustine Main Library parking lot. (Use 1960 North Ponce de Leon in your GPS.)
• 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.

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

I recently bought a Kontrol S88 to be able to fully play piano and record it to make music in a DAW (FL Studio). However, I need to switch it over from PC to Mac because all of the MIDI sounds (including native FL studio MIDI) are giving off this weird buzzing noise and all the pitches are off. I think this may be due to the computer itself.
(^ if someone happens to know the solution to the FL studio issue, I’m open to hearing it but I know this isn’t the thread to post to.)
So for now, I was hoping that I could record MIDI clips to get ideas down in the meantime but I don’t want it to sound like trash (because it will if I put it through FL on the Mac). Is there a way to record MIDI clips from Kontakt 7/Komplete Kontrol directly to the computer without using a DAW?

Going to be spending 4 days in St Augustine... What are the must see places? I enjoy under the radar and strange/hidden gems. Kind of looking for the insider info here.
Also, any good novelty shops? Card shops? Video game shops? Thrift shops?
Any good malls? Places to eat for a variety of foods?
Best secluded beaches?
Love historical places and architecture too.
Thanks!!!

I’ll be visiting St Augustine May 24 - June 1 and would love to do some dancing. Classes or social dancing.
Salsa, Argentine Tango, Flamenco
I plan to take some adult ballet/tap/modern at a place The Dance Co.
I’m happy to learn of any other adult dance classes in the area.
Thanks 😊

I'm looking for something smaller and lighter to replace my current daily. I've done my research and narrowed it down to these two. I can't really find much comparing them directly (likely because they're pretty different, which I am aware of) but they are similar in that they both meet my needs and I like certain things about both. It will be used for daily driving and occasional autocross days. The pros and cons I've found for both are as follows:
TC: - Styling, I really prefer the way it looks, especially on the last generation of them. I once heard someone refer to the fiesta as an egg and I can never unsee it.

• Reliability, non turbo+Toyota= a very reliable car. Plus I've heard it's kinda a pain to find unmolested examples of st's.

ST: - Turbo: I did list this as part of a con, but I just can't help myself. Turbos are fun and I would like to have one.

• Performance: I know power numbers aren't everything but the numbers don't lie ~20 more HP and a good bit more torque is nothing to sneeze at. It also has the E-lsd, which isnt an LSD (which I would love), but it is better than the TC'S "straight outta Camry" drive train.
  
• Aftermarket support: apart from wheels, coilovers, tires, and exhaust on the tc, there is almost nothing in the way of performance parts for it. Fiestas have a major amount of aftermarket support and id be able to basically customize anything I wanted to. Not to mention the major modding community which really doesn't exist for the tc.
  

I really like both of these cars, I'm leaning more towards the TC at this moment due to me not really liking the fiesta's styling and the more reliable engine. But maybe I'm not giving it a fair shot. I'd kinda like an objective view of these two options and maybe get some opinions of someone who's owned one or both of these. Or maybe another option I haven't heard of or considered
Thanks!

Mr. Steve Lewis
Mr. Patrick McKinney
Mr. Bryan Freiermuth
c/o Gideons 1898 LLC et al
1600 East Buena Vista Drive

A

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
May 10th, 2024
Final Demand
Gentlemen,
There is an odor most foul in the Bakehouse. It is the stench of the fish rotting from the head.
To our proprietor Steve, and our managers Bryan and Patrick:
There is dissension within the ranks, and if the following items are not resolved as we outline
below, we’re prepared to drag this house of cards to the ground.
Before we proceed with our grievances, numerous and shocking, and the demands to resolve
them; allow us a moment for introductions.
We, are the Ghosts of Gideons, the poor and unfortunate souls upon whom you have built your
cookie empire. We are the many, the unseen, and as of the disastrous meeting May 6th, 2024, the
decidedly unheard.
Many of us have approached management and ownership multiple times with helpful hints,
strong suggestions, and desperate pleas to rectify a myriad of health, safety and operational
concerns- with nearly all of them being dismissed or ignored entirely.
Now, we, the collective, have banded together to deliver this tome- not as a warning of what is to
come, but as a final demand to resolve the issues outlined herein. You may dismiss us
individually, but you cannot ignore all of us together.
Make no mistake, if the following solutions are not implemented with immediate effect, we will
do everything in our power to topple this cookie castle permanently.
We should start by informing you, that, yes- we are but lowly workers for Gideons, however, we
are supported by families who hold prominent positions in the community as lawyers, labor
1
representatives, publicists, and county government workers. Families who love us, and want to
see us remain safely and fairly employed.
Through our vast, and well connected network the following steps have already been
implemented:
1) A lawsuit for your numerous unfair and unsafe labor practices and work conditions has
been drafted.
2) A press release, along with a copy of this letter, have been sent to local and national
media.
3) We have created social channels to connect directly with customers and inform them of
the reprehensible work conditions we are enduring.
4) We have filed health and safety reports with local government bodies detailing the
extensive issues we are faced with at the Springs location.
5) We have informed Disney Springs leadership of our position relating to the above, and
below in this letter.
In all cases, these competent bodies are awaiting our word. If the demands listed herein are not
satisfied immediately, we will, in tandem with the above, begin a campaign to inform the world
of your numerous transgressions, filing lawsuits and media coverages exposing you and the
Company for the shill that it is, and we will not stop until the Bakehouse bakes no more.
We should also mention that should any attempt be made to retaliate against us, including
termination, reducing our hours, benefits, or taking other pervasive actions against any Gideons
employee, will promptly result in our bringing legal class-action.
The time has come for you, our leaders, to actually lead. This means spending money where
money must be spent, and making the following operational changes, so that we can all continue
to exist in harmony, and not feel like we’re trapped on an 1800’s plantation- working for the big
house.
1) Communication- How dare you drag the entire workforce to a 9AM meeting,
demanding our presence, and then talk directly at us with the most mundane drivel we’ve
ever heard. Everything dictated today could have been very well sent as an email-
especially when you did not allow for any discussion between us, the workers who
actually make your business run, and the disconnected upper-management who are hell
bent on implementing misguided and inefficient policies. Do not call us in for a
mandatory meeting again when the points can be covered in an email, unless you intend
to open the floor for actual conversation and listen to what we have to say.
2
To that end, since our voices were silenced this morning, we demand the following:
● Cold Brew- We will not adopt the ‘bartender’ shaking style of preparing the cold
brew drinks. When we have 10+ beverages queuing to be made, shaking each
drink 10 times will severely impact our ability to be efficient. This is but one
example of Steve’s desire to have ‘form over function’. We understand there may
be a ‘look’ you’re going for, but when it compromises our ability to efficiently
perform our function, we refuse. We demand to be allowed to resume our ‘stir
stick’ preparation immediately.
● Point System/ Order Accuracy- Under no circumstance should Management take
the side of the Guest over the word of the employee. Too often we see guests
complain that an order was incorrect, and Management issues a point to an
employee. This must stop immediately. We demand you implement a ‘please
check your screen for order accuracy’ procedure where the guest confirms their
order before they pay, and remove the ‘point’ system. If the guest confirms the
order, it reduces the possibility for an inaccurate order.
● Inconsistent/ Inaccurate menu boards and Social Postings- The inside Menu
Board has been outdated for nearly two years. It must be updated immediately to
remove items we no longer sell (IE Coke Products) and ingredient offerings (IE
Banana WALNUT). By correctly labeling the items, it reduces the stress on us in
having to confirm that certain items have nuts, or not being yelled at by guests
who are disgruntled that we no longer sell Coke products. Further, there are
multiple social media inaccuracies when describing new products (IE peanut
butter buttercream, VS the actual peanut butter cream cheese). These inaccurate
product descriptions hurt the brand, and cause confusion with the guests when
they come to order these products. Also the new umbrellas are not UV resistant;
therefore any mention of them ‘protecting you from the sun’ is false, and may
result in legal action from guests. We demand you only post accurate descriptions
to the website/ social media to avoid further guest/ employee confrontation.
● HR- Given the fact that Cynthia engaged in using racial slurs during the May 6th
meeting, referring to guests as gypsies and hoodlums, we demand her firing and
removal immediately. Multiple members of staff were deeply offended by the
hurtful stereotypes that Cynthia perpetuated, and we no longer have any trust in
her ability to lead this organization, especially from a HR perspective, when she
herself seems to harbor unfair and demeaning racial views.
● Management- We cannot express with limited words the level of dissatisfaction
we maintain for Drew. The staff, in our entirety, have never dealt with such
incompetent, slothful, and wasteful behavior. Drew consistently stays on his
phone, refusing to help the team accomplish any of their tasks, and barely exudes
a modicum of effort through his rare action of helping build cake boxes or taking
out trash before disembarking on a break (which none us other managers/leads are
3
cookie king, bringing in circa $40,000 per day, affording you a life of luxury, and not
fairly compensate the employees that are making Gideons everything that it is. The
cookies are good, but make no mistake, as was stated during the May 6th meeting, the
customers come for us. I can’t imagine what they’ll say when they learn about the
slave-like conditions in which we work, especially with Auntie Anne’s earning $18 per
hour + tips.
3) Hours- Part time is up to 30 hours per week, full time is 30 hours or more. We must have
a guaranteed number of hours per week, pending our availability. For example, if a
full-time employee has open availability, they must be scheduled for 40 hours. If a
part-time person has open availability, they must be scheduled for up to 30 hours per
week. This is to ensure we have a stable and uniform weekly income, guaranteed by our
base pay and consistent hours.
4) On Call- All shifts that are ‘on- call’ must be guaranteed a full 8 hour shift, regardless if
the employee is called into work or not. We clear our day and make ourselves available to
cover the Company, and we demand to be compensated a full 8 hours ($16 per hour) for
the flexibility to suit the Company’s needs.
5) Pay Protection- In the event that the store is closed for any reason, employees currently
scheduled to be working during the closure must receive all payment for the shifts they
were scheduled for. If the AC goes out again, and we’re down for several days, those of
us scheduled must receive full compensation for shifts as scheduled.
3) Health & Safety- While it seems that Gideon’s is based primarily on the ‘cool factor’ in how
our processes look from a customer perspective, we are still a fully functioning kitchen and retail
location with a haphazard health and safety process, at best.
To ensure a properly safe workplace and customer experience, we demand the following changes
immediately:
1) Shorts/ Heat Safety Prevention- We’ve been told time and time again that the ‘Disney
Contract’ we cannot wear shorts. After having multiple conversations with Disney
Springs leadership and the Unite Here 362 representatives, we have come to understand
that a change in uniform can be initiated by amendment. No longer can the ‘look’ of
something overpower the safety of us. In terms of being outside in the sunlight and heat,
we demand that the contract be amended immediately to account for a uniform change,
thus allowing us to wear shorts within the next five days. It is dangerous for us to be
outside in the heat and sunlight during high-heat (more than 70 degrees fahrenheit) days,
wearing all black and long pants. We are unwilling to compromise our personal health
and safety to appease your ‘style guide’ insisting on long pants, but we’re happy to
maintain a look via style guide for shorts. In addition, we have seen multiple large/
battery operated fans in use around Disney property, keeping other Cast cool during these
heat waves. We demand that large fans are procured and placed in strategic outside
5
locations within the next 5 days, so that we may have respite during high temp days. The
cooling towels and neck fans you have provided are ineffective.
2) Egress- We bakers are trapped. There is no second means of fire egress from the kitchen,
and should a fire or other disaster occur with the ovens, we would be trapped and unable
to escape. We demand you add in additional egress from the bakery, into the outside
alley. We understand this will require planning and stairs, however, planning must be
commenced immediately. We will not work in an unsafe environment, and with no place
to escape in the event of an emergency, we will be burned alive.
3) Handicap accessibility- Our retail location does not comply with ADA mobility
standards. The counters must be moved to allow an employee who utilizes a wheelchair
or other mobility device the proper space to move behind the counters and throughout the
kitchen. While yes, a wheelchair will ‘fit’, they will be unable to properly move. We are
discriminating against hiring ADA employees due to the way the store is currently
overcrowded and built. We demand proper spacing be added within the next 90 days.
4) Safety Training & Procedures- As of right now Operations have not developed any safety
or training procedures relating to fire, bomb threat, active shooter, lighting/ rain, accident
or other hazard. We are provided with no training in the event of any of these
emergencies, and we are all woefully unprepared with a common knowledge of how to
address emergency situations. We demand that a safety plan be developed and provided
to each of us in writing, and that we receive sufficient training of the new procedures
within 14 days.
5) Sanitation- Our baking sheets never get cleaned. We demand that you hire an outside
vendor to pick up used equipment nightly at close, and deliver a clean set at the same
time, so that we may rotate clean equipment daily. It is too large a task for us to wash in
house, and this needs to be automated for us. Our current sanitation procedure is
inadequate to ensure proper health and safety standards.
6) Bathroom breaks- Many of us suffer from various biological disabilities that force
frequent trips to the restroom. We simply cannot ‘hold it’ until we’re on break. IF we
need to go to the restroom, we must be immediately accommodated to do so without
repercussions. While this is not common, it does happen, and must be allowed.
6
Demand Timeline:
May 11th- Cold Brew BartendeShaking preparation is disbanded, stir stick preparation is
reimplemented.
May 11th- Cynthia is terminated immediately for using racial slurs during a company meeting.
May 11th- Drew is demoted as manager immediately for failure to act as a leader, and help his
team, undergoing an immense retraining before he is reinstated.
May 12th- All employees earn a base rate of $16 + tip share.
May 12th- An automatic/ mandatory 7.5% gratuity is placed on all guest orders.
May 12th- All ‘on call’ shifts will be guaranteed a full 8 hours ($16 p/h), regardless of working
or not.
May 12th- Lead/ Trainer pay to increase to at least $19 per hour when training, and $18 per hour
at all other times + tip share.
May 11th- Planning for additional egress to begin. Must be fully installed and operational no
later than June 20th, 2024.
May 17th- A $1,200 bonus is paid to all employees who worked during the last three pay
periods. This bonus covers the lower wages suffered from the ‘no tip’ asking policy.
May 13th- Schedules to be created, guaranteeing all ‘part-time’ employees up to 30 hours per
week based on employee availability, and ‘full-time’ employees at least 40 hours per week,
based on employee availability.
May 14th- Commercial grade fans outside submitted for approval to Disney, installed upon
approval.
May 15th- Shorts implemented for all workers, all shifts, when the outside temperature is more
than 70 degrees fahrenheit.
May 14th- Sanitation company must be contracted to pick up used baking sheets nightly, and a
second set of baking sheets to be procured to ensure sufficient sanitation of products in direct
contact with food.
May 24th- All health & safety procedures will be drafted and provided to all employees in
writing, with in-person training to occur with all employees. New hires shall receive the new
procedures and same in person training as a part of their onboarding.
August 4th- Handicap/ADA compliance. The store and kitchen must be rearranged/ decluttered
to allow for the hiring of mobility device users, including wheelchairs, to comply with ADA
layout requirements.
7
While the above demands only scratch a portion of the hazardous operational procedures, we are
confident that should they all be addressed and the solutions we have demanded are implemented
within the allotted timelines, we can avoid a disastrous fallout and continue to work together to
ensure Gideons remains a successful operation.
We understand that this will most likely come as a shock, not less because ownership and
operations seem to be blissfully unaware of the vast deterioration, but moreover, the inane
procedural overhauls implemented in today’s meeting simply reek of disconnection to the reality
of the process, and will only serve to further delay and complicate the already struggling
operation.
It is time to see beyond all of the narcissistic ‘it looks cool, so we’re going to do it my way’
absurdity, and recognize that the above demands come from your soldiers on the frontlines. A
tough pill to swallow, but it is medicine critical to survival, nevertheless. We further recommend
that all upper management leadership work at least one eight hour, front of house shift per six
months, to ensure they remain fully connected and relevant.
We must issue a final word of warning: should this letter be ignored, or any of the above
demands are not implemented, or any retaliatory action be taken, it will be met with the most
severe consequences.
We know that you are amassing a fortune, and all we Ghosts ask for is a fair wage, a safe and
comfortable working environment, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
We’d hate for the adoring public to learn of any other reality. This is your one, final, opportunity
to make it right.
We look forward to your prompt email reply confirming your plan of action to comply with our
demands herein.
In Solidarity,
The Ghosts of Gideons.

what is the average timeframe of finishing the flex dpt program option on the st augustine campus? I’ve heard it’s 3, i’ve heard it’s 4. I’ve also heard you could finish faster than 3 years. Also what are the starting dates for when you can start

(I'm Copy and pasting this, so if it doens't format correctly Please let me know)
Hey everyone, working on some homebrew for a game I’m currently in, and I wanted to adapt Movement of the Mind into V5. Trying to keep it balanced and make it feel unique, and like it belongs in V5. This is the first draft of that homebrew, I would love some constructive criticism on how I could improve it, as well as any potential problems you see in its language. As when making homebrew, I know how I intend the ability to work, but as soon as other players get ahold of it I find that I have many errors and confusing language.
Here it is:
Level 3
Movement Of The Mind
Amalgam: Auspex 2
The kindred is able to draw on their blood sorcery and move or crush targets through sheer force of will. Those targeted with this power would see nothing physically grabbing them, except for the occasional ripple in the air caused by the force of the power.
Cost: One Rouse Check
Dice Pools: Resolve + Blood Sorcery vs Strength +Athletics
System: The user chooses their target within a number of meters equal to 3 times the user's Blood Sorcery rating. The user then makes their rouse check (Note: Moving an object under 10 pounds requires no rouse check) and rolls their dice pool against a difficulty set by the ST. The difficulty of an average weight, non-resisting person would be 2. You can then immediately move the target a number of meters equal to your margin of success in any direction. Performing complicated actions once the target is under your control, such as stealing the keys off of someone's belt or typing on a keyboard, may require a Wits + Blood Sorcery check at the STs discretion. Using weapons this way requires the user to roll their Blood Sorcery + the appropriate weapons skill at a -2 to their dice pool.
Using this against a resisting target instead requires the user to roll their Resolve + Blood Sorcery vs the target's Strength +Athletics per turn. On a success the user can move the target as normal and they are treated as being grappled, allowing the user to damage them using Resolve + Blood Sorcery vs the target's Strength +Athletics dealing damage with each margin of success.
Moving multiple targets requires the user to split their dice pools as per normal.
Finally, the user may forgo this option and elect to instead send a blast of pure force at a target. The user makes their rouse check and picks their target, rolling Resolve + Blood Sorcery vs the targets Dexterity + Athletics. The user inflicts one point of superficial damage per margin of success with a +2 modifier and sends the target one meter back per margin. The target gains the stunned condition if mortal, and both mortals and kindred have to spend a 2 dice action getting up.
Duration: One scene per target, if the target breaks free or the user lets it lapse, the power ends and another rouse check is required to activate it.
Here’s a quick Q/A for questions I know I’ll be asked so I figured I’d get them out of the way:
Isn’t this a lot like Far Reach/Arms of Ahriman?
Yes, I used both of those powers as a guideline to get a feel of the balance and limits. In my opinion while it is similar to those two, it’s different enough to stand on its own. Though I am more than willing to hear your thoughts on ways I could make it feel more unique.
Why not just make it a ritual?
Because that's not as cool /s. But in actuality it's because as a ritual it loses a lot of its “On the spot functionality.” Rituals have to be prepared beforehand, and are generally one use, this allows the user to use it on a whim so to speak which just makes it feel more interesting in my opinion. Additionally, making it a ritual adds to the problem of it feeling like a reskinned Far Reach knock off to new players.
Why is it an auspex amalgam?
To make it feel like it’s something that's generally only had by Tremere as, to my knowledge, they created the power. Additionally, it's a little more powerful than many level 3 powers. Making it an amalgam artificially increases its xp cost. Because as an amalgam, you have to purchase two dots in auspex beforehand, which makes it more expensive without raising its level.
Why make it a level 3?
For a couple reasons, number one I wanted there to be another option for level 3 powers as the current ones don’t fit every character. Blood of potency is very situational and can sometimes be detrimental depending on your current BP. Scorpions touch requires an investment into strength and melee, which some players don’t want to do. This adds more options and an alternative path for those who want to be a mostly mental focused character, that gives you a lot of options and becomes more powerful the more creative you get with it. Though I do agree it might be too strong for level 3, I might bump it up to level 4 but I don’t quite feel it's strong enough for level 5.
Don't take this Q/A as a sign you shouldn’t ask these questions, please do if you feel like I’m missing something, I want to improve this and make it so that other people can use it at their own tables and have fun with it.
The only thing I ask is that you keep your criticism constructive, as I’ve had some very nasty people respond to previous homebrew I’ve made in other communities.

Now that the rest of my life is becoming more routine and stable, it's becoming more obvious that my love life is wrecked and in dire need of serious attention. My initial call with him was a scary first step, but it was well worth it. It was like knowing that there a developing sickness within me, and I just now made my trip to the doctor for an evaluation.
I feel weird because I'm actually doing something that will also directly benefit someone else, the right guy coming into my life st the right time. I rightfully spend all or most of my time focused on myself and making sure that my life works best for me, that it's hitting me now that ~ one day ~ someone else will be here. All I'm doing is getting everything prepared and ready for his arrival.
This also is a refreshing turn of the page, no longer looking back on my fucked up, messed up, screwed up and horrid past with men and how horribly broken my "man-picker" had been. Moving forward, I truly need to believe that a healthy and successful relationship is realistically possible. It's up to me to put in the work and growth within myself to get there.
I've never felt so fucking scared 😨😱😰