Example of a direct claims letter

Psychonaut

2008.12.08 21:10 Psychonaut

A psychonaut is a person who experiences intentionally induced altered states of consciousness and claims to use the experience to investigate his or her mind, and possibly address spiritual questions, through direct experience.
[link]


2011.03.30 16:39 HotDinnerBatman Unsent Letters

A place for the letter you never sent.
[link]


2011.05.21 23:18 Food on a Budget.

Food on a Budget
[link]


2024.05.14 21:14 Select_Green_1106 The 7 Best Bitcoin & Crypto Casinos Reviewed in 2024

The online casino industry has experienced an explosion in popularity in recent years and, in part, that's down to the legalisation of iGaming in a selection of US states that has allowed the industry to spread around the world. Of course, online casinos have come a long way since the early days. Now, there are more casino games than ever and, along with the increase in these, there are more and more payment methods. This means that crypto gambling is now with us, and this has brought a whole new audience to iGaming. With so many sites to choose from, how do you find the best bitcoin casino? How do you know what goes into making the best crypto casino? Should you be paying attention to new bitcoin casino sites? As you read on, that's what we're going to be exploring.
An Overview Of The Best Bitcoin and Crypto Casinos
If you're someone who likes to jump right in, and take a snapshot, to follow you'll find our summary of the crypto casino market and discover the ones that we think are the best. If you're someone who seeks more detail, we have you covered too, but you'll need to read on. So, here's a look at the best bitcoin casinos, as well as those accepting other top cryptocurrencies:
As you read on, we'll be exploring the best bitcoin casinos in more detail. We'll be delving into the range of bitcoin casino games, and how these compare to traditional online casinos. We'll also be looking at the cryptocurrencies that are accepted, as well as everything else you need to know about banking methods. If that's not enough, we'll be going into detail about the bitcoin casino sites and the bonuses on offer ( we know you'll be looking for free spins, an attractive match bonus, as well as VIP programs), as well as exploring the customer service on offer.

The Heybets Crypto Casino Site

There's no denying that Heybets is one of the top bitcoin casinos around. As well as offering a great online casino experience, there is also an attractive sportsbook where you can enjoy sports betting on the top action. This means that you can play games, and win in the best sporting events, all in the same place.
Let's have a closer look at what makes this one of the best bitcoin gambling sites:
Heybets and Crypto Casino Games
While there's plenty to consider when looking for the best bitcoin casino, there's no escaping the fact that the range of casino games matters. There needs to be plenty to keep players entertained, there need to be provably fair games, and sports betting is an added bonus. Here's what Heybets has to offer:
Slot Games
With traditional online casinos, slot games are the staple of what's on offer. These are the most popular casino games out there, and so you'd expect the best bitcoin casino sites to perform well here. The good news is that Heybets certainly delivers here. There are classic slots, jackpot slots, and those with stunning bonus rounds. Just a few of the titles include:
While the number of slots matters, for a site to be the best bitcoin casino, the quality matters too. Fortunately, the games here only come from the best providers, such as:
This just goes to show that you can rely on online crypto casinos if you're one of the many slot fans out there.
Table and Card Games
Something else that makes Heybets one of the best cryptocurrency casinos is the fact that it also caters well for fans of other games. Here, you'll find a selection of classics, such as:
Live Casino Games
Heybets also has a great range of live dealer games. You can enjoy live versions of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Thanks to the fact that the live casino is powered by Evolution Gaming, you can also make the most of live game shows, such as Dream Catcher and Monopoly Big Baller.
Banking and Crypto Transactions
As with all gambling websites, the payment methods on offer are important when it comes to choosing an online casino to play at. The top bitcoin casino sites allow players to use a range of cryptocurrencies, as well as supporting other methods that you'd find at fiat casinos. Ay Heybets, you can use the following to fund your account and play casino games:
While there's plenty of choice here, what would make this stronger would be the inclusion of the likes of Dogecoin and Tether.
When considering more traditional methods of depositing and withdrawing, Heybets also allows you to use bank wire. There are no fees when using this option for fiat currencies, but users of crypto will need to be aware of the relevant GAS fees.
Heybets and Bonuses and promotions
As you'd expect from a site that could well be considered the best bitcoin casino, there are a host of bonuses and promotions here. Let's get the bad news out of the way with first: this crypto casino does not offer a welcome bonus. With that out of the way, let's take a look at the bonuses and promotions on offer for existing players. While these change on a regular basis, these are the ones that are a constant:
Raise Your Arm Zeus
This bonus comes into play when you're playing the online slot, Gates of Olympus. You'll activate the bonus at this bitcoin casino if you manage to win 20x - 100x from the free spins feature. If you're in luck, this leads to this crypto casino boosting your winnings by 100%.
Extra Juice
The lack of a welcome bonus doesn't seem to sting quite so much when you look at the likes of Extra Juice. This bonus kicks in on a selection of new casino games. It can lead to winnings being boosted by 7%.
Sports Betting
While our focus is on online casinos, it's worth noting that Heybets also offers a range of ongoing bonuses and promotions for customers of its sportsbook.
Loyalty Program
If you're looking for the bitcoin casino with the best loyalty rewards then Heybets is it. The VIP program here has 5 tiers, and each comes with its own rewards. To enter at the bronze level, you need to have wagered at least $2,500. With this, you can enjoy 5% cashback on all bets. Reach diamond and you'll benefit from 10% cashback as well as exclusive bonuses and rewards. This certainly makes this site stand out from other bitcoin casinos.
Heybets Customer Service
With online gambling, it's a must that a site offers great customer support. At Heybets, you can be sure that you're covered here. Just like all relatively new bitcoin casino sites, there's a need for Heybets to go above and beyond to inspire confidence. It certainly does that with almost instant responses on its live chat which is staffed by knowledgable and polite agents. The only downside is that this isn't available 24/7.
Mobile Experience
While this bitcoin online casino doesn't have a dedicated app, players can still play games via their mobile browsers. The casino games here are compatible with mobile devices thanks to HTML5 technology and the work of the developers behind them.
Summing up the Heybets Online Crypto Casino
Let's sum up the pros and cons, and see what makes this online casino one that's worthy of your attention:
Pros:
Cons:

The Metaspins Bitcoin Casino

When looking at the best bitcoin casinos, Metaspins is another online gambling site that can't be ignored. If you're the kind of player seeking an attractive deposit bonus, then you'll be more than happy with what's on offer here. As we get into the detail, you'll soon see why Metaspins deserves a place on our list of the best bitcoin casinos.
Metaspins and Bitcoin Games
Something that is clear when looking at the best BTC casinos is that there is no shortage when it comes to the range of games that there are to choose from. What puts Metaspins in the running for the best bitcoin casino site is the fact that there are more than 2,500 games to explore. Given that this site was only launched in 2022, it can still be considered to be one of the new bitcoin casino sites, so there's a good chance that the range of games will only grow. Let's take a closer look at what's on offer now:
Slot Games
What makes Metaspins one of the best crypto casinos is the range of slots that can be played. These are provably fair games, and they come from some of the best providers in the business. In fact, what makes the range of slots so exciting here is the sheer number of providers that Metaspins works with. There are more than 30 of these, including the likes of:
You can expect to come across some of the most popular slot titles, such as Gonzo'a Quest, Starburst, and Dark King: Forbidden Riches. For fans of jackpot slots, there's a great range of these too, including Jackpot Quest and Rainbow Jackpots Power Lines.
Table and Card Games
As you'd expect from a site in the ranks of the best bitcoin casino, there's more to this BTC casino than slots. There's also a great range of table and card games, meaning that Metaspins is an attractive destination for fans of all casino games. The games that you'll find cover all the classics such as:
Live Casino Games
Like many of the best crypto casinos, Metaspins also has an impressive range of live games. These come from top developers such as Swintt and Evolution Gaming. When gambling online here, there are traditional titles to choose from, including live poker games, as well as game show experiences. such as Crazy Time and Boom City.
Banking and Crypto Transactions
This crypto casino accepts a range of cryptocurrencies. This is good news for players as it means that can find the crypto that suits them. The other great thing at this crypto casino is that, if you don't happen to have any crypto of your own, you can use VISA or MasterCard to purchase some. The cryptos available include:
As bitcoin online casinos go, this is an impressive showing and will be a major draw for new players.
Metaspins Bonuses and Promotions
A major part of online casinos is the welcome bonus money that's up for grabs. Alongside this, players also like to see reload bonuses, cashback, free spins and even no deposit bonuses (although these are a little on the rare side). With that in mind, let's take a look at what this bitcoin casino has to offer:
Metaspins Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus offered here is certainly attractive, and is bound to catch the eye of many players. As one of the best bitcoin casino sites, Metaspins offers a 100% match bonus up to a maximum of 1 btc. That means that if you were to deposit 0.5 btc, you'd then be rewarded with another 0.5, meaning that you had 1 btc to play with. The only watch out here is the wagering requirements. They come in at 40x, and they need to be met within 7 days. This could prove a little tricky if you were to take advantage of the maximum bonus money offered.
Deposit and Get
As deposit bonuses go, this one we think is extremely impressive. It really is as simple as it sounds: you continue to make deposits, and you can be certain that you'll get rewards. You just need to keep an eye on your rewards panel. When you see a notification, give it a click and see what you've been given. Some of the rewards on offer are:
These ongoing rewards mean that there are plenty of reasons for players to stay loyal to, what we believe, is one of the best bitcoin casinos.
Sports Betting
Just like many of the other best bitcoin casinos, Metaspins also has an impressive sports betting section. There are separate bonuses to be enjoyed here.
Metaspins Customer Service
To be seen as one of the best crypto casino sites, there's a need for online gambling platforms to offer outstanding customer service. Bitcoin casinos are still relatively new, and knowing that the company is there when you need it matters even more than it does at traditional sites. Metaspins delivers here, with 24/7 live chat, as well as a detailed FAQ section. The fact that customer support is always there means that this truly is one of the top bitcoin casinos.
Mobile Experience
This btc casino doesn't have a dedicated app as yet, but that doesn't mean the games can't be enjoyed on the go. Simply by using your mobile browser, you can access Metaspins from any mobile device and enjoy the full crypto casino experience, no matter where you are.
Summing Up the Metaspins Crypto Casino
As before, now's the time to round up the pros and cons of this crypto casino site, so that you can decide if this is one that you want to play at:
Pros:
Cons:

The Immerion Bitcoin Casino Site

If you're looking for crypto casino sites that feature all of the classics that you're already a fan of, then Immerion could well be the crypto casino for you. As you read on, we'll be looking at just what's on offer here. As well as considering the crypto casino games, we'll also be looking at everything else that you need to know Let's get started.
Inmerion Crypto Casino Games
With online gambling, players like to see a wide range of games. It's fair to say that when compared to other bitcoin casinos and fiat casinos, Inmerion has an impressive showing. There are more than 5,000 bitcoin casino games to be played, and we're going to explore these in more detail now:
Slots
You may think that Inmerion is the best crypto casino based on the number of slots alone. There are more than 3,000 of these to choose from, meaning that even the most ardent slot fans have plenty to keep them entertained. What we like here is that the number of slots isn't overwhelming thanks to the filters that can be used. You can set filters to search by provider, RTP, max win, and volatility.
Among this vast number of slots, you're going to come across new titles, as well as many classics, such as:
Table and Card Games
For gambling sites to be among the best, there needs to be more on offer than slots. Inmerion does well here with a range of other games:
Live Dealer Games
Many crypto casinos give some attention to live dealer games, but here you'll find that there are more than 300 to choose from. There are all of the classic games, as well as the game show titles that Evolution Gaming excels at.
Banking Options
As you'd expect from one of the top bitcoin casinos, Inmerion has a range of cryptos that you can play with. You can make deposits and withdrawals using:
Something else that we like here is that there's no minimum deposit so this is an online gambling site for players of all budgets.
Inmerion's Bitcoin Casino Bonus
Whether it's a healthy welcome bonus, a loyalty program, or reloads that appeal, btc casinos need to have something special on offer to be classed as the best. Let's take a look at what Inmerion has to offer:
Welcome Bonus
As it stands, there is no Immerion welcome bonus on offer. This may be a letdown for some players who can't benefit from their first deposit. However, there are other casino bonuses to enjoy.
Engine of Fortune
This is a daily bonus that allows you to spin the wheel of fortune. You need to have deposited at least $50 in the last 24 hours and then you can spin. The prizes on offer include free spins, cash, and a more than impressive top prize of 5 btc.
Daily Cashback
No matter who plays at this online crypto casino, they can all benefit from the ongoing cashback offer. Each and every day you benefit from receiving 20% of your losses from the previous day. This is something that really appeals and certainly puts Inmerion in the running for the best bitcoin casino.
Sports Betting
This is another of the best crypto casinos that has an attractive sports book, along with some great bonuses.
Inmerion Customer Service
Reputable casinos need to be there for their customers. There need to be ways that customers can reach out and have their queries resolved in a timely manner. Here, you'll find that live chat is on hand 24/7 to deal with any issues. What we also liked was the fact that there is separate support for those wanting assistance with deposits and withdrawals.
Mobile Experience
Just like the other other crypto casinos that we've looked at so far, there is no mobile app here. However, you can still enjoy Inmerion online gambling via your smartphones and tablets via your mobile browser. Nothing is lost when compared to the desktop experience, and it allows you to enjoy all that Inmerion has to offer with added convenience.
Summing up the Inmerion Crypto Casino
That brings us towards the end of our look at this bitcoin gambling site. Before we move on to the next, let's sum up the pros and cons:
Pros:
Cons:

The BC Game Online Casino

As we continue to explore the best bitcoin gambling sites, next up is BC Game. This is a site that was established back in 2017, and there is no doubt that this is one of the most reputable btc casinos that there is. Let's take a look at what's on offer, and what makes this one of the best crypto casinos that there is.
BC Game Library
This crypto gambling platform is nothing short of mind-blowing when it comes to the number of games to choose from. At BC Game, you'll find that there are more than 9,000 to explore and that makes this crypto gambling site really stand out. What else is impressive here is that the games cater for high rollers as well as those with a more conservative budget. Let's take a look at just what there is here:
Slot Games
Like other bitcoin casinos that we've looked at so far, there are plenty of slots to enjoy here. Alongside titles that you'll find at other crypto casinos, BC Game also has a host of exclusive games that you won't find anywhere else. The remainder of the library is made up of titles from providers such as Play 'n Go, Microgaming, NetEnt, and Quickspin. Just some of the slots you'll find here include:
What we like here is that you can spin with bets as low as $0.01 so these games are accessible to all.
If you're a fan of jackpot slots, you'll find that there are more than 150 progressives here, with the chance to win life-changing amounts.
Table and Card Games
With so many games overall, it's probably unsurprising that there's also a great selection of table and card games too. Here, you can play classics such as:
Live Dealer Games
BC Game also has live dealer games like the other btc casinos that we've looked at so far. These come from the best in the business, namely Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. In truth, the selection here isn't as wide as it is at other crypto casinos, but there is still plenty to keep you entertained.
Banking Options at BC Game
Just like other crypto casinos that make our list of the best, BC Game has plenty of options to choose from. While there are no alternatives away from crypto, the number of these that you can play and withdraw your winnings with is impressive. Some of those that you can use include:
BC Game Bonuses
This bitcoin casino also comes with some attractive bonuses and promotions that are sure to appeal to players everywhere. Here's a look at what's up for grabs
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus here is a little different compared to that at other crypto casinos. That's because it's spread over your first 4 deposits. Here's how it's broken down:
The wagering requirements are 40x. While this may be common it does make it a little difficult to take full advantage of what's offered.
No Deposit Bonuses
Right now, BC Game is also offering a no deposit bonus for new players who sign up. Simply by joining, you can claim $5 worth of free spins that can be used on the Lucky Wheel. Prizes can be up to $500 or come in a variety of cryptocurrencies.
Loyalty Rewards
Players in the VIP program can enjoy higher payouts, free spins, and a host of other rewards. Once a player reaches level 22, you're also given the chance to play with the Super Spin. This is a version of the Lucky Wheel that comes with even more rewards, with the chance to pocket 3 btc.
Sports Betting
Like the other bitcoin casinos that we've looked at so far, BC Game also has a sportsbook that comes with its own bonuses and rewards.
BC Game Customer Service
We're impressed with this crypto casino and the levels of support that are on offer. Firstly, there's the 24/7 live chat function. This is staffed by knowledgeable agents who provide speedy responses. As well as this, there is also the option to reach out via email. This takes longer to receive a reply, but when it does come it is detailed and resolves most issues.
Mobile Experience
If you're wanting to play on the go, BC Game has an impressive mobile app. This can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices and provides a truly outstanding experience. If you'd rather not download, you can also play via your mobile browser.
Summing up the BC Game Crypto Casino
If you're still trying to decide if this casino is for you, here's an overview of the pros and cons:
Pros:
Cons:

Stake Online Casino Site

If you have ever explored crypto casinos, there's a very good chance that you have come across the name, Stake. Why? Well, it's widely regarded as one of the best out there. As you keep reading, we're going to delve into the details and show you why.
Stake Game Selection
While Stake may not have as many games as we've seen at BC Game, there are still more than 2,000 to choose from. In truth, this is plenty to keep players entertained, and the good news is that each and every title is truly exceptional. Let's take a look:
Online Slots
Slots are a major draw for players, and Stake certainly delivers in this area. You'll find a wide range of titles, with those that are instantly recognisable such as:
Alongside top providers, such as NetEnt, Push Gaming, and Wazdan, there are also Stake original slots. If you give these a try, we're sure that you'll be impressed.
Table and Card Games
Just like the other best bitcoin casino sites, at Stake, you'll discover a great selection of classic casino games. Whether you're a fan of blackjack, excited by the spin of the wheel, or looking to take a chance with baccarat, Stake has you covered. The only game lacking here is poker. If your casino experience is based on video poker, you may need to play elsewhere.
Live Casino Games
You're sure to be impressed with what's on offer in terms of live dealer games. The lobby is bursting with titles coming from Evolution and Pragmatic Play. There are also titles from Bombay Live Games. This means that Stake has everything covered, and offers a live experience that's second to none.
Banking Options
As you'd expect from an operator that makes our list of the best bitcoin casinos, there are plenty of payment options to choose from. While this is a 100% crypto site, the good news is that you're not just limited to one or two of these. Just some of the ones you can use include:
In total, Stake accepts 20 cryptocurrencies, so there's sure to be one that you're comfortable using.
Bonuses at Stake Casino
Before we explore the bonuses and promotions that Stake has to offer, let's first look at what's not up for grabs. At Stake, there is no welcome bonus on offer right now. There's no first deposit bonus or free spins. Why? Well, Stake is confident that it has enough to offer, and can attract new players with ease. With that out of the way, let's take a look at what you can take advantage of:
Daily Race
There is a prize pool worth $100,000 every day. When you play casino games, or wager at the sports book, you have the chance to win from this.
Weekly Giveaway
Each week there's the chance to share in a prize fund worth $75,000. To take part, you need to wager $1,000 for a ticket.
Multiplier Race
If you reach the highest multiplier on specified games, you may walk away with the top prize of $10,000.
Loyalty Program
Stake has an attractive loyalty program. However, before you enter the first level, you need to wager at least $10,000. This makes this a program for true high rollers. The rewards on offer include rakeback and daily bonuses.
Stake Customer Service
Just like other operators that we class as being among the best crypto casinos, at Stake there is a live chat option. This is available 24/7 and offers a great way to resolve any queries. You can expect a speedy response from agents who are polite and courteous.
Mobile Experience
Stake doesn't have a dedicated mobile app right now. However, you can still play on the go by going directly through your mobile browser. This means that you can play on any tablet or smartphone, without the need to download.
Summing up the Stake Casino Site
Before we move on to the next of the best crypto casinos, here's a look at the pros and cons of Stake:
Pros:
Cons:

Wild.io Bitcoin Casino


As we continue our reviews of the best crypto casinos, next up it's Wild.io. As you'll see as you read on, this is a site that comes with an attractive welcome bonus as well as an impressive lobby. Let's take a look in more detail and see what else Wild.io has to offer:
Wild.io Games Selection
A common theme among the best crypto casinos is the wide range of games that can be played. Over at Wild.io, there are around 2,500 of these to explore. This means that there's never any danger of losing interest, no matter what type of games you're a fan of. Let's take a closer look:
Wild.io Slots
As bitcoin casinos, as well as traditional ones, go the range of slots here is certainly impressive. There are more than 2,000 of these to choose from, and you can expect to see these coming from the likes of Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Gamzix, and others. Some of the top titles that you'll be able to play include:
Table and Card Games
While Wild.io is one of the more impressive bitcoin casinos, we can't help feeling that there could be a little more on offer in this section. As it stands there are just 26 games to choose from. To be fair, all of the basics are covered, but we'd love to see this range expanded.
Live Dealer Games
This section seems to be a work in progress. As you click to enter the live area, it says that there are currently no games to play. However, there is a detailed explanation of how live bitcoin games work. This is something to be monitored as it surely means live games are on their way.
Banking Options at Wild.io
When comparing Wild.io to other bitcoin casinos, it's fair to say that there's a wide range of currencies that can be used. Here, you can choose between using:
Wild.io Bonuses
Wild.io is one of the very best bitcoin casinos when it comes to the offers that it has. Let's take a look at these now:
Welcome Bonus
As bitcoin casino bonuses go, the welcome bonus here is very attractive. Rather than just being based on your first deposit, it's a package spread across your first three:
The wagering requirements for all three bonuses are 40x.
Wheel of Fortune
If you deposit at least $20 you can spin the Wheel of Fortune every day. Prizes can be as much as $1,000, and there are plenty of free spins up for grabs too. There is also the Jungle Wheel for VIPs. This wheel brings bigger rewards but requires a minimum deposit of $100.
Weekly Spotlight
Each week, Wild.io nominates a game that is in the spotlight. When you wager on the specified game, you're rewarded with more loyalty points.
Wild Weekends
Each Friday, Wild.io launches a promotion for the weekend. This could be a reload matched deposit bonus, free spins, or anything else that the operator decides to offer.
Rakeback and Cashback
The higher up you are in the VIP program you are, the more you can claim back. You can recover anywhere between 1% and 20% of your weekly losses.
Loyalty Program
Every player is automatically enrolled. The more you wager, the more points you have and the higher you claim. Each level has exclusive offers such as free spins and matched deposits. There are also other perks such as higher maximum withdrawals.
Wild.io Customer Service
Like the other bitcoin casinos that we've looked at, the customer service on offer at Wild.io is impressive. With a live chat function that is available 24/7, you can reach out whenever you need any assistance. When we gave this a try, we had an almost instant response meaning that our query was resolved quickly. There is also a chatbot to help with queries.
Mobile Experience
As it stands, there is no Wild.io mobile app. To enjoy this casino on the go, you can play via your mobile browser.
Summing up the Wild.io Casino
Before we move onto the final of our bitcoin casinos, here's a rundown of the pros and cons of Wild.io:
Pros:
Cons:

Jackbit Crypto Casino


Jackbit is the final operator to make our list that looks at the best bitcoin casino. With a great game selection and free spins up for grabs, you'll soon see why we rate this crypto casino so highly. Let's get into the detail now:
Jackbit Games Library
Established in 2022, Jackbit has quickly expanded its library so that it now exceeds 6,000 titles. There are plenty of slots to choose from, as well as an impressive range of table games. The live casino is also of note. Let's take a closer look:
Slots
There is certainly no shortage of slots at Jackbit. There are thousands of games to choose from, and these come from some of the best providers around. The likes of Yggdrasil, Red Tiger, and Microgaming mean that the quality is exceptional. Just some of the titles you will find include:
Table and Card Games
While some casinos only pay lip service to games other than slots, Jackbit is a little different. There is a vast range of choices here that covers all of the games that you could ever want to play. When you look at roulette alone, there are some 56 variations just of this game so you can imagine how vast the whole offerings are.
Live Casino
If live games are your thing, you'll find over 200 of these at Jackbit. As you'd expect, the classics are all covered, but there's also the inclusion of game show titles courtesy of Evolution. Just some of these include:
Banking Options at Wild.io
You can use a range of cryptocurrencies to play at Jackbit. If you don't happen to own any crypto, you can use your debit or credit card to purchase through the site. Some of the currencies that can used include:
Jackbit Casino Bonuses
If you're a fan of free spins, the Jackbit crypto casino may well be of interest to you. Let's take a look at why.
Jackbit First Deposit Bonus
When you make your first deposit at Jackbit, you're rewarded with 50 free spins that can be used on the Lazy Sheriff slot. What makes this bonus really attractive is the wagering requirements: wager once and any winnings are then yours.
Jackbit Loyalty Program
The loyalty program here has its focus on rakeback. As you wager more and move up the levels (Rookie to Legend), the greater the percentage of rakeback you're entitled to.
Customer Service
The Jackbit casino allows players to get in touch via live chat or email. The live chat option is there 24/7 and this is a big plus. There was a slight delay in being connected when we gave it a try, but after that the responses were all pretty much instant and we found our query being resolved very quickly.
Mobile Experience
There is currently no Jackbit mobile app. If you want to play via your smartphone or tablet, you can do this via your mobile browser. You'll find that the games translate well to the smaller screen and nothing is lost in terms of the experience.
Summing up the Jackbit Casino
Let's finish by taking a look at the pros and cons of this bitcoin casino:
Pros:
Cons:
Bitcoin Casinos FAQ
Are Bitcoin casinos safe?
Like any online casino, safety depends on the platform's reputation. Look for casinos with positive user reviews, provably fair games, and proper licensing.
What are provably fair games?
Provably fair games use cryptography to allow players to verify the randomness and fairness of each game round themselves, giving more transparency than traditional online casinos.
What types of games can I play at Bitcoin casinos?
Many Bitcoin casinos offer a wide variety of games, including slots, and table games (like blackjack and roulette.he online casino industry has experienced an explosion in popularity in recent years and, in part, that's down to the legalisation of iGaming in a selection of US states that has allowed the industry to spread around the world. Of course, online casinos have come a long way since the early days. Now, there are more casino games than ever and, along with the increase in these, there are more and more payment methods. This means that crypto gambling is now with us, and this has brought a whole new audience to iGaming. With so many sites to choose from, how do you find the best bitcoin casino? How do you know what goes into making the best crypto casino? Should you be paying attention to new bitcoin casino sites? As you read on, that's what we're going to be exploring.
An Overview Of The Best Bitcoin and Crypto Casinos
If you're someone who likes to jump right in, and take a snapshot, to follow you'll find our summary of the crypto casino market and discover the ones that we think are the best. If you're someone who seeks more detail, we have you covered too, but you'll need to read on. So, here's a look at the best bitcoin casinos, as well as those accepting other top cryptocurrencies:
As you read on, we'll be exploring the best bitcoin casinos in more detail. We'll be delving into the range of bitcoin casino games, and how these compare to traditional online casinos. We'll also be looking at the cryptocurrencies that are accepted, as well as everything else you need to know about banking methods. If that's not enough, we'll be going into detail about the bitcoin casino sites and the bonuses on offer ( we know you'll be looking for free spins, an attractive match bonus, as well as VIP programs), as well as exploring the customer service on offer.

The Heybets Crypto Casino Site

submitted by Select_Green_1106 to CryptoChatz [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:08 Puzzleheaded-Egg8487 Roof rack for a 2015 F56 mini cooper?

So i pretty sure i have a f56 mini. I say I'm pretty sure because i am dumb and its a little confusing to me.
Its a 2015 1.5L 3 door hard top hatchback, it has a info panel in the middle of the dash so like i said I'm pretty sure that's what i have. i wish it would just say in big letters "F56" or something. Even looking up the vin didn't give me a direct answer, but i digress.
I would like to add a roof rack but this too is confusing. All of the models i have see don't show it with a "moon roof" the unopenable sun roof "over the back seat" behind the retractable sun roof that is over the driver. i don't know if that would change anything but like i said, I'm dumb.
If there is anyone that knows what I'm talking about please let me know so i don't mess something up and or buy the wrong thing.
submitted by Puzzleheaded-Egg8487 to MINI [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:05 val3xe dependency override?

i’m applying for financial aid as a dependent and my school has just asked me a document for homelessness risk, i was in a shelter, but they just told me that they won’t provide a letter for me unless i’m currently homeless or a current resident of that facility. do i have to apply for a dependency override or should i ask my financial aid office to get into direct contact with the shelter to get confirmation?
submitted by val3xe to FAFSA [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:05 EbbInitial9717 Meade LXD75 SN-6 Drive motors problem

Meade LXD75 SN-6 Drive motors problem
quick history of my issue goes like this:
I've been an astronomy nerd since the early 80's and have owned a few telescopes over the years, including a 3" Orion refractor, an Orion 4.5" newtonian reflector, and finally a Meade SN-6 Schmidt Newtonian reflector with the LXD75 mount. I have few gripes with the scope itself and have not upgraded anything outside of additional eyepieces from Parks optics, a laser collimation "eyepiece" for quick checks after transporting it to dark sky locations in the backseat of the car, and a wonderful green laser pointer that serves as my finder scope for targets residing near the the sky's zenith.
I used to use the Autostar system with marginal success. I liked it for a while but about ten years ago the declination motor stopped working, so I removed it and found the circuit board had a very cooked diode if not more issues. Searches for replacement spares were dodgy.as the company no longer made the LXD series and sold the remaining parts to a 3rd party vendor. As recently as 2022 Meade was the losing defendant in a case filed by Orion that sadly spelled the end for Meade outright. As a result it has become even harder to source spare parts for the LXD75 mounts. Obviously I have to come up with another solution. I haven't used the scope for DSO observing since, but have repurposed the un-powered aspect of the scope for planetary use, via the nudge method. As a result, I am constantly reminded that I paid a lot more to have a powerd GO-TO German Equatorial mounted Schmidt Newtonian when I originally purchased it brand new from a camera store here in southern California. If I had known at the time that I would never fully get to make use of the GO-TO aspect due to a cheaply/poorly made circuitry, then I could have spent the same money on an 8' or 10' Dobsonian and at least felt some satisfaction from the old adage (as we say in motorcycling) "there's no replacement for displacement" or in this case, "aperature". Lately I have a renewed interest in DSO observing however, and the nudge method doesn't cut it. So, I removed the RA motor as well and now while looking through the eyepiece, I reach around with my hands, blindly hunting for the two brass gears (cog wheels) that used to connect to the drive motors. Once located, I can turn them by hand to fine tune the movement. Of course this really limits what I can do with a telescope that was according to Meade, designed as an entry level astrophotography/imaging scope. I still have both motors and the AS hand controller of course, just not attached to the mount anymore, their new home is a filing cabinet drawer in my garage unfortunately.
I am at a crossroads as to what direction I should take that would best restore my scope's GO-TO capabilities. On one hand, I wonder if upgrading the drive system by replacing the motors and controller with a different brand (is this possible?) but keeping the SN-6 OTA and LDX75 tripod/Germ. eq mount is the easiest approach. If so, which systems are recommended? Alternatively, I've recently learned of the SkySafari system where the hand controller is replaced with a cell phone. Is this something that you recommend? Are there motors available that will fit my system, or is it strictly PUSH-TO? Is it precise? Lastly, I can't help but wonder if it might just be cheaper and easier to buy a used Dobsonian 8" or 10" with SynScan? I have seen 10" Dobs for $400 with SynScan, which sounds great but I have no experience with the software and don't feel like it's smart to trust the manufacturer's claims as the sole source of information on the product (they never talk about their shortcomings!).
I should mention that I no longer entertain lofty pipe dreams of creating stunning, high-resolution DSO photographs to show all my friends, lol. Instead, I just want to enjoy the moment, and see as many objects in the NGC/Messier catalogs as possible on a given night. As for having proof to show people, well they can join me for an actual session and see it with their own eyes, or just take my word for it - I have a lot less to prove than I did 25 years ago, it's no longer a priority for me. Getting the most out of a viewing session IS however.
Thank you in advance for sharing your collective expertise
submitted by EbbInitial9717 to telescopes [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:03 Afraid_Background321 Navigating Diabetes Management: Insights from Personal Experiences with Insulin Pumps and Skin Reactions

Managing diabetes goes beyond monitoring blood sugar levels; it encompasses handling the various tools we use, such as insulin pumps and different insulin formulations. Throughout my journey, I have encountered numerous challenges, especially with skin reactions to different insulin types and pump cannulas. I hope sharing my experiences will help others facing similar issues make informed decisions.
Understanding Skin Reactions
Skin reactions in insulin therapy can stem from multiple sources and often develop progressively with more exposure:
Differentiating Between Cannula and Insulin Reactions
One way to differentiate between an insulin skin reaction and a cannula skin reaction is to switch from a teflon cannula to a steel cannula. Unfortunately, with devices like the Omnipod, you cannot use a steel cannula. Instead, have your healthcare professional fill the pod with saline instead of insulin and wear it for 2-3 days to see how your skin reacts. If there's no reaction to the saline, it's likely the insulin causing the issue.
Investigating Skin Reactions: My Personal Journey
It's crucial to be vigilant when interpreting changes in symptoms, as improvement with a steel cannula may not necessarily indicate resolution of the issue. In my case, switching to steel cannulas initially appeared to resolve the problem. However, after about two years of use, I began experiencing local absorption site problems despite careful rotation of injection sites. To address this, I experimented with inserting the steel cannula more superficially by bending the Tandem trusteel needle at about a 45-degree angle. While this improved absorption, it also led to a recurrence of skin reactions. This led me to conclude that the teflon cannulas were not the primary cause of the reactions, but rather the insulin itself. Infusing the insulin more superficially, whether with a teflon or bent steel cannula, allowed me to observe the skin reactions more clearly, while deeper infusion masked them.
This hypothesis was confirmed when I conducted the saline test with Omnipod and experienced no skin reaction, indicating that the issue likely stemmed from the insulin rather than the cannula material.
The Role of M-Cresol
Research indicates that m-cresol in insulin formulations can cause skin reactions. Insulins with higher concentrations of m-cresol, like Humalog and Apidra, are associated with more inflammation. Studies suggest that removing m-cresol can lessen these reactions.
Detailed M-Cresol Concentrations in Insulin Formulations:
My Personal Journey with Insulin Pumps
Skin reactions can be mentally taxing and complex. The best approach is to methodically test different cannulas (teflon/steel), different perfusions (insulin/saline), and different insulin types until you find the right combination. Research on removing m-cresol from insulin formulations has shown promising results in animal studies, offering hope for less inflammatory and equally effective insulin therapies in the future (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.1c00047).
Also, if you keep having skin reactions even with insulin containing less m cresol, know that some physician were able to desentitize a children to this component so he could use insulin in insulin pumps https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1947-6-263
References
· https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9760098/pdf/nihms-1843053.pdf
· https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01567.x
· https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11095-017-2233-0
· https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1947-6-263
· https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.1c00047
submitted by Afraid_Background321 to Omnipod [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:03 Odd-Hand-2026 This gonna make women like Thalia think twice before you every look for love and jackpot you not getting another sympathy. “Replay” Zendaya is a cambion on she has human mother just like i been said not new info and when Saturn returns even if its only one parents your still demented

“Replay” Zendaya is a cambion on she has human mother just like i been said not new info and when Saturn returns even if its only one parents your still demented and of your FATHER the devil! The mother is important as well as the Father! Daybreyah can’t claim me i vern made a child myself in alien 👽 years not only that had her mother not been so foul disrespectful and forcing him to do child support something my mother neverrrrrrrr did i would gad more sympathy because she forced this she is directly responsible for Enslaving me. Zendaya has better estate than to gave a demon mother! In Judiasm the mothers seed matters more. And my brother darkness and she for fck sake can’t claim me. The brother with black people they too like white people don’t know whos who who belongs to which race. Satan comes in all colors even in with in the same group but sub branch or slightly different offshoot. Her mother is dark skin yes but not a holy race her mother is a nubian same way Aquila (oh they steal names) Haim shalom’s baby mom is .. dark skin can be a problem of you don’t know who or what.. curses are passed thru the father.. my brother is no man.. my dad isn’t either but a manipulator he Spins his inward condition on to my mom.. which in marriage you become one.. They reversed roles exactly why no one in their right mind would hold on to a “ring AD”.. MOVE ON. Nor can you claim another’s mans cross thats not your husband .. Herodias .. Most nations when wiped out all the men are killed and whiped out exactly why one should live truthful seek truth.. because the sins of that father will be passed on. And often the victor claims your women.. replacing your seed so it doesn’t pay to be a COWARD or ignorant.. I’m not Expert but in my genes is intuitive knowing better than most.. on who’s who.. i still had to go thru “Samaria” (West bank) 🏦 and you seeing that play out right now with the West .. I can’t stand a educated foolish n*gga in business they have NO BUSINESS ZERO data for .. white women are guilty of this too.. “Obama and his mother” you never gonna see me fake teach a class in a subject Im weak in.. I want on record son you were warned and see my true fact and complete essence I will NOT have sympathy on this child again.. she means NOTHING to me.. just so you know. Any relationship that is based on deception, usury, trickery ends BAD only on the movies and entertainment someone forgives a bad foundation.. nothing good comes out of a BAD FOUNDATION.
submitted by Odd-Hand-2026 to TartarianAR [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:02 FireFight1234567 US v. Kittson: Appellant’s Opening Brief

Opening brief here.

Statute at Issue

18 USC § 922(o):
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun.
(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to—
(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect. (That is, 5/19/1986)

Background

In January of 2020, ATF Agent Jason Weber negotiated with Kittson through Nikki, an informant, regarding the purchase of an unstamped WWII-era Russian-manufactured PPSh-41, which was not under Kittson’s possession and had a nonfunctional drum mag. Weber was then re-directed to another home under construction, and the renovator (not the homeowner) named Ray Bohanan had firearms including the PPSh. Bohanan, who happened to be a gun aficionado and a “survivalist” and was planning to retreat to a bunker he built in rural Oregon, had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor and charged with narcotics possession, so he was prohibited under 18 USC §§ 922(g)(3) & (g)(9), respectively. However, Bohanon was never arrested and died in June of 2020. Kittson got indicted under 18 USC §§ 922(o) (Count 1) & 922(g)(1) (Count 2) and got arrested on May 28, 2021 per the arrest warrant.

Second Amendment Issue

At district level, besides citing Henry still being good law as Bruen didn’t disturb Heller and Miller, the government provided laws forbidding carrying weapons in terrorem populi, none of which are relevantly similar let alone distinctly similar to banning mere possession of certain arms. Judge Immergut (the same one for Measure 114) upheld the Hughes Amendment (18 USC § 922(o)) by citing the former. The problem with Henry, which was decided pre-Bruen, is that it used the fact that full autos are not in common use today (i.e. unusual) because of the Hughes Amendment. By using “dangerous and unusual”, the defender in the brief says the Henry panel used interest balancing to uphold the Hughes Amendment. In footnote 6, the 3rd Circuit en banc panel in the Range case warned courts to not latch onto and “overread” certain phrases like “law-abiding, responsible citizens” (and, though not mentioned, “presumptively lawful”) to uphold laws in question, especially via interest-balancing. The problem with Henry was that it didn’t use text, history, and tradition on whether full autos constituted “arms” under the plain text and whether the ban on possessing full autos is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation (or, it didn’t faithfully apply Heller). Rather, Henry used purely empirical and data analysis to uphold the ban and conclude that full autos are “dangerous and unusual”.
As we can see, one can say that the judge used interest balancing by saying that their own understanding of “unusual” derived from the numbers instead of using the THT method to understand what “unusual” historically meant. Personally speaking, I find that the evidence of interest-balancing in the Henry case is not really obvious, and the main error is that they misread Heller, especially its dicta, which “is inconceivable that [one] would rest [his or her] interpretation of the basic meaning of any guarantee of the Bill of Rights upon such a footnoted dictum in a case where the point [like the full auto] was not at issue and was not argued” per Heller’s footnote 25. The brief also cites the Duarte opinion as a good example of a very good application of text, history, and tradition of permanent disarmament of certain “people” like “felons” despite Heller saying that the law in question was “presumptively lawful.”

Summary of Other Issues

As mentioned earlier, Kittson claimed that he never actually or constructively possessed a machine gun. However, Kittson could have been charged for aiding and abetting the machinegun transfer, but defender claims that is defensible on 2 grounds. Statutorily speaking, the transferee was an ATF agent, so the transfer is lawful under § 922(o)(2)(A). The part where he can get criminally charged is Kittson’s lack of knowledge of Weber’s government status. Factually speaking, the PPSh-41 (which was historically unreliable mainly due to the drum mag) was nonfunctional because the magazine it was sold with was nonfunctional and incapable of being repaired to function (hmm, reminds me of the government saying that one need not have a magazine in order for a gun to function), so they unsuccessfully claimed that this wasn’t classifiable as a machinegun. That fact, however, was “omitted,” as Judge Immergut in the jury instructions said that a functioning magazine need not be equipped for a weapon to qualify as a full auto. Judge Immergut also didn’t allow the jury to factor in 922(o)(2)(A) (government exemptions) when giving the verdict, which deprived Kittson of his right to confront the charges and evidence against him and present a defense. Finally, the sentencing proceeding violated Kittson’s right to due process and a fair and impartial adjudicator. Judge Immergut’s fact findings were based on her personal practice as an Oregon state judge, not on evidence produced by the government. In this case, there was no evidence regarding some state judicial procedure relating to Kittson’s prior convictions produced by the government, but Judge Immergut decided to factor in anyway by awarding 1 criminal history point. By doing so, the court made itself a witness, thereby abandoning the requirement of neutrality.
submitted by FireFight1234567 to gunpolitics [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 21:01 FireFight1234567 US v. Kittson: Appellant’s Opening Brief

Opening brief here.

Statute at Issue

18 USC § 922(o):
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun.
(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to—
(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect. (That is, 5/19/1986)

Background

In January of 2020, ATF Agent Jason Weber negotiated with Kittson through Nikki, an informant, regarding the purchase of an unstamped WWII-era Russian-manufactured PPSh-41, which was not under Kittson’s possession and had a nonfunctional drum mag. Weber was then re-directed to another home under construction, and the renovator (not the homeowner) named Ray Bohanan had firearms including the PPSh. Bohanan, who happened to be a gun aficionado and a “survivalist” and was planning to retreat to a bunker he built in rural Oregon, had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor and charged with narcotics possession, so he was prohibited under 18 USC §§ 922(g)(3) & (g)(9), respectively. However, Bohanon was never arrested and died in June of 2020. Kittson got indicted under 18 USC §§ 922(o) (Count 1) & 922(g)(1) (Count 2) and got arrested on May 28, 2021 per the arrest warrant.

Second Amendment Issue

At district level, besides citing Henry still being good law as Bruen didn’t disturb Heller and Miller, the government provided laws forbidding carrying weapons in terrorem populi, none of which are relevantly similar let alone distinctly similar to banning mere possession of certain arms. Judge Immergut (the same one for Measure 114) upheld the Hughes Amendment (18 USC § 922(o)) by citing the former. The problem with Henry, which was decided pre-Bruen, is that it used the fact that full autos are not in common use today (i.e. unusual) because of the Hughes Amendment. By using “dangerous and unusual”, the defender in the brief says the Henry panel used interest balancing to uphold the Hughes Amendment. In footnote 6, the 3rd Circuit en banc panel in the Range case warned courts to not latch onto and “overread” certain phrases like “law-abiding, responsible citizens” (and, though not mentioned, “presumptively lawful”) to uphold laws in question, especially via interest-balancing. The problem with Henry was that it didn’t use text, history, and tradition on whether full autos constituted “arms” under the plain text and whether the ban on possessing full autos is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation (or, it didn’t faithfully apply Heller). Rather, Henry used purely empirical and data analysis to uphold the ban and conclude that full autos are “dangerous and unusual”.
As we can see, one can say that the judge used interest balancing by saying that their own understanding of “unusual” derived from the numbers instead of using the THT method to understand what “unusual” historically meant. Personally speaking, I find that the evidence of interest-balancing in the Henry case is not really obvious, and the main error is that they misread Heller, especially its dicta, which “is inconceivable that [one] would rest [his or her] interpretation of the basic meaning of any guarantee of the Bill of Rights upon such a footnoted dictum in a case where the point [like the full auto] was not at issue and was not argued” per Heller’s footnote 25. The brief also cites the Duarte opinion as a good example of a very good application of text, history, and tradition of permanent disarmament of certain “people” like “felons” despite Heller saying that the law in question was “presumptively lawful.”

Summary of Other Issues

As mentioned earlier, Kittson claimed that he never actually or constructively possessed a machine gun. However, Kittson could have been charged for aiding and abetting the machinegun transfer, but defender claims that is defensible on 2 grounds. Statutorily speaking, the transferee was an ATF agent, so the transfer is lawful under § 922(o)(2)(A). The part where he can get criminally charged is Kittson’s lack of knowledge of Weber’s government status. Factually speaking, the PPSh-41 (which was historically unreliable mainly due to the drum mag) was nonfunctional because the magazine it was sold with was nonfunctional and incapable of being repaired to function (hmm, reminds me of the government saying that one need not have a magazine in order for a gun to function), so they unsuccessfully claimed that this wasn’t classifiable as a machinegun. That fact, however, was “omitted,” as Judge Immergut in the jury instructions said that a functioning magazine need not be equipped for a weapon to qualify as a full auto. Judge Immergut also didn’t allow the jury to factor in 922(o)(2)(A) (government exemptions) when giving the verdict, which deprived Kittson of his right to confront the charges and evidence against him and present a defense. Finally, the sentencing proceeding violated Kittson’s right to due process and a fair and impartial adjudicator. Judge Immergut’s fact findings were based on her personal practice as an Oregon state judge, not on evidence produced by the government. In this case, there was no evidence regarding some state judicial procedure relating to Kittson’s prior convictions produced by the government, but Judge Immergut decided to factor in anyway by awarding 1 criminal history point. By doing so, the court made itself a witness, thereby abandoning the requirement of neutrality.
submitted by FireFight1234567 to progun [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:59 Flagg1991 Children of the Night (Part 1)

What am I doing? Dominick Mason asked himself for the hundredth time that night. It was late on a rainy Sunday evening and Dom, a tall, lanky man-boy of twenty-five with a prominent Adam’s apple and too big eyes, stared out the rain-slicked window of the 905. The big bus swayed and jostled as it lumbered down Central Avenue, the movements strangely comforting, conducive to reflection…and self-doubt.
As if on cue, his phone buzzed, and a pit opened up in his stomach. He fumbled it out with long fingers and read the text. Are u almost here
His thumb hovered over the screen, but he did not reply. Part of him wanted to block the number, slink back home with his tail between his legs, and forget the whole thing. He could boot up his PS4 and play Red Dead Redemption or GTA V like always. Safe. Familiar. The thought, however, stirred a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.
It was dread.
Every night, he did the same thing. He came home from work to his tiny prison cell apartment. He had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He played video games until it was time to go to bed. The worst part of the whole night was when he turned off the TV and saw his murky reflection in the screen. Plaid. Scrawny. Disgusting. He hated being locked in that apartment, with its old smells and white walls, but he hated going out even more. At least in his hole, he was safe, like a mouse. No one hurt or lied to him there. No one gave him funny looks. No one rejected him. He was completely safe in his solitude, a wounded animal hiding in its den and licking its wounds.
He was wounded and he knew it.
And he hated himself for it. Hated that he wasn’t stronger or better. Hated that even though he tried so hard, everything he did fell apart…if it even came together in the first place, which it rarely did.
The phone buzzed again.
Just a question mark this time.
His heart began to race and a steely fist slowly closed around his lungs. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and took a deep breath. He pictured himself alone in his little apartment. He loved the image, but he hated it too. Most nights, he didn’t mind being alone. He had to not mind it, because he didn’t have a choice. Some nights…some nights he didn’t want to be alone. Some nights he wanted warmth, he wanted tenderness…some nights, he wanted to be human.
Every so often, Dom would get the urge to find those things. They came less frequently than they did before, but unfortunately, they still came. He would create an account on Plenty of Fish and OKCupid, maybe some of the other sites as well. He would agonize over his stupid intro and his stupid list of hobbies. He would spend hours - literally hours - writing and rewriting them, trying at first to be serious, then light and funny, then cool, then aloof, then vulnerable. He would take the best possible pictures from the best possible angles, then upload them, never lingering over them because he hated the way he looked. He didn’t think he was ugly - mid was more like it - but apparently, he was ugly. Too ugly for love, too ugly even to talk to.
The ugly barnacle. So ugly that everyone died. The end.
All of Dom’s pictures were all selfies, of course. Guys he listened to on YouTube said he needed action shots, shots with friends, shots that showed women he had a life, was valued by those around him, and knew how to have fun. Too bad for him, he had no friends and no one valued him, not even his own mother. On the surface, maybe, but she had hurt him so many times over the years in so many ways that even the most devout son would stop and think.
It had to be selfies.
When his profile was in order - or as much in order as he could get it - he would start to browse. Dom knew his place and never messaged women who were too beautiful. He used to, but they never responded. He eventually began to skip their profiles with a pang of loss and a quiet what if? Now, he barely noticed them. Blonde. Petite. Blue eyes. Maybe she was a cheerleader at one time, maybe she was the type of girl who looked down her nose at guys like him. Maybe she was a sweetheart. In any case, he would never find out, so who cares?
He went for women he could realistically obtain…the type of women he’d dated and hooked up with in the past. Some were attractive in their own way, others were hard to look at, he wasn’t picky; he couldn’t afford to be picky. One woman he saw was a good three hundred pounds. She was nice and he liked her enough, but he lapsed into depression while they were dating and he never messaged her back…not that she made a huge effort to message him. Another was a pre-K teacher in her mid-thirties. Overweight with a big nose, glasses, and a plain face when she wasn’t wearing make-up. He liked her a lot and wanted to be with her, but after a month of weekend hookups, she said she didn’t love him. She told him she wanted a family - three kids, to be exact - but “changed her mind.” No, she didn’t. She just didn’t want those things with him.
Now she was in her late thirties, single, and having regrets.
She still wouldn’t settle for him, though.
Another woman he’d seen recently (six months ago) was fifty, but not unattractive. They texted for weeks, hot and heavy. She outright told him that she wanted to have sex with him. Said all sorts of nasty and sexual things. Their first (and only date) was her coming to his apartment. Instead of tender kisses, loving caresses, and intense emotions, they shared an awkward two hours on his couch. When he tried to hold her hand and put his arm around her, she stiffened. Not much, just a little. She said she “wasn’t ready.” He sat there and watched the flowers he’d gotten her wilt as she talked about her ex for an hour and a half, his arms pointedly crossed. He even leaned as far away from her as humanly possible, trying to communicate with his body language what he didn’t have the guts to communicate with his words: I’m uncomfortable, please leave. He planned to take her to a nice restaurant after they made love. Instead, he ordered something after she finally got the hint and left, eating alone like always.
After her, he deleted his profile (again) and resolved to never bother with dating again. Obviously there was something wrong with him. He saw guys who were uglier and more awkward than him with girlfriends, some actually stunning, but there was something about him in particular, something that repelled women…and men too.
Everyone.
It repelled everyone.
Maybe it was his self-loathing. After all, no one likes a sad sack. But that’s the thing: He was like this because of those experiences. It was a what came first, the chicken or the egg situation. Looking back, he had almost normal confidence at one point. Then all of this happened. The hundreds of messages he sent on the dating apps staying on read, unanswered, like he never sent them at all, like he was garbage unworthy of even a hello. The awkward dates. The occasional “success” that eventually fell apart…sometimes because of him, and sometimes because of them. The one girl who ran away from him when he tried to walk her to her car after a date. They didn’t click, he knew that, but he didn’t say or do anything creepy. Why did she do that? The girls who lead him on, talking about sex and sometimes even love but always had a reason they couldn’t meet.
There were other examples - many others - but it was all the same. Who cared?
Dom wanted to crawl back into his hole and stay there, to stop poking his head out and getting hurt. He wanted it so bad…but he was only human. Deep down, buried beneath layer after layer of scar tissue, there was still hope. Hope for love, for companionship, for acceptance, for intimacy and human touch. It was only an ember now, but even an ember is enough to spark a fire.
Some nights, he wanted to be safe. Other nights, he wanted to take a risk.
And this night was one of the latter.
Be there soon, he texted. He swallowed hard and wetted his lips. His heart was pounding faster and his bowels were loose. He really hoped this worked out. He didn’t think he could handle another rejection. If she turned him down, he’d probably go home and kill himself. Why go on like this?
He’d had that thought before…but he never followed through.
Maybe one day he’d actually shut the fuck up and do it already.
Maybe.
Ok :)
Her name was Heather and she was fat. She was not unattractive in the face and she wore her weight well, not that that mattered - he would take what he could get. They started talking on OKCupid last week and very soon, the conversation became sexual. He didn’t start it, though, she did. She was ahem very excited, she said. He liked to think that she was lonely, desperate, and wanted intimacy - any intimacy - just like him.
That really turned him on.
They agreed to meet, and now here he was, on the bus to her apartment on the other side of the city, hoping against hope that she didn’t hurt him too.
He put the phone away and stared straight ahead. The bus was nearly deserted, save for an old bag lady up front and a few Mexican guys in the back. Lights lined the bus’s roof, providing a cold, impersonal light. Dom took a deep breath and forced his dark emotions away. It was all on him to make this work. He would accept her fat, ugly, poor, and crippled, but he had to work to earn her love. He could do it.
When the bus finally reached his stop, he yanked the cord and got off. There was a plexiglass shelter lit by a single, lonely bulb. Trash littered the ground. Beyond the shelter, a park lay in darkness. Behind him, on the other side of the road, a housing project not unlike his own towered into the sky, lit up like a ship at sail. Dom swallowed his nerves and crossed the street. He found the door that she had directed him to use, and climbed the stairs. He expected trash, graffiti, and winos passed out on every landing. Instead, the stairwell was clean and deserted. His nerves welled as he climbed but he forced them down again. On the ninth floor, he went down the hall, battered on all sides by the stale smells of cooking and the murmur of TVs and voices coming from every apartment.
Dom paused at Apartment 237.
Heather’s.
You got this, he told himself.
And really, he did. Their plan - well, Heather’s, really - was simple and straightforward. She told him that she would leave the door unlocked. He was to come in, go to the bedroom, and she would be waiting for him. She said it was a fantasy of hers.
On some level, he knew all along that the whole setup sounded fishy. Was he being set up to get robbed? Would he walk in and get jumped by a bunch of Crips? He hesitated, but his need for love - and, yes, release - pushed him on.
He opened the door.
Inside, the apartment was small and messy, a living room to the right and a tiny kitchen to the left. The only light on was the one above the stove.
Everything else was in shadows.
Dom’s heart skipped a beat.
This didn’t feel right.
That thought was overpowered by the smell, a sickly sweet odor that suddenly seemed to be everywhere. His stomach twisted and he turned his head slightly to one side, as if to spare his nose. It smelled like something spoiled.
A voice spoke from the darkness, startling him. “I’m in here.”
It was light, airy, and cute.
For the last time, Dom hesitated. Some primal sense told him to turn around and leave…
…but he wanted to be loved.
Dom entered and shut the door behind him.
The smell was stronger. The atmosphere darker.
Ahead, he could barely make out an open doorway in the shadows.
He crossed to it.
The smell was overpowering here and Dom felt like he was going to puke. Any desire he had felt was gone, replaced only by revulsion and claustrophobia. It was cold, he realized, so cold that his teeth chattered.
Okay, fuck this.
He started to turn around, intent on leaving, but a small, white hand reached from the darkness. Icy fingertips brushed his cheek and his heart blasted into his throat.
Then she was there, her body pressing against his and her lips fused with his. The smell, the freezer chill, both stronger than ever.
They were both coming from her.
Her tongue hungrily lashed his own, and she pushed him against the wall. Her hands slipped under his shirt and pressed flat against his chest. They were so cold that he almost cried out.
Dom wanted to push her away, to run, but he didn’t. Instead, he froze up and allowed her to push him onto the bed. Was he too gutless to tell her no, the way he’d been too gutless to tell the woman who went on and on about her ex to shut up and leave? Did he secretly want to go through with this? He didn’t know, and he didn’t have time to figure it out. She was on top of him now, straddling him, his legs caged between her ample thighs. She grabbed his hands and pressed them to her bare breasts.
They were as cold as the rest of her.
She leaned down and kissed him again. He hadn’t noticed it before, but her tongue was…dry. Her mouth itself tasted strange. Off.
Heather broke from his lips and peppered kisses on his cheek and forehead, assaulting him with an intimacy that Dom no longer wanted.
Through it all, she was as silent as a tomb. She wasn’t panting or rasping with excitement. In fact, he didn’t think she was even breathing.
She brushed her lips along the exposed curve of his throat, and tingles of revulsion shot down his spine. She found his pulse and kissed it. Trembles of excitement raced through her body and she started to lap his neck like a dog.
Without warning, a fiery pinprick of pain exploded over him and Heather began to shake and pant. Dom cried out and tried to fight her off, but she was too heavy, too much.
With a tiny, mouse-like squeak - a sound of pitiable fear and resignation - Dom blacked out.
submitted by Flagg1991 to LetsReadOfficial [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:59 jPup_VR Google finally figured out the messaging on generative images/video/music: Focus on the PERSON and creative expression that they envision- then focus on how they use GenAI as a PART of their workflow, toward achieving that expression. - Ft. Wyclef Jean, Marc Rebillet, Childish Gambino/Donald Glover

Like with every new creative technology, we are seeing push-back from people both in and outside of creative communities. Cameras were "going to destroy painting"- synthesizers were "going to destroy music"- drum machines and sampled records "invalidated hip hop in 'the arts'"- Autotune "diminishes the value of proficient vocalists"... etc. etc. etc. But eventually, we always come around.
The AI debate has been much more public and much more heated- with many claiming it will be "the end of all human creative pursuits" or saying "we do not want AI to make images, video, or music at all"
The messaging of the people who make these AI tools are partially to blame for this discourse: their promotion/advertisement **is often positioning these as "tools that handle the entire creative process"

Google actually talked to artists, and showed people how they can use these generations as an addition to their existing tool belt and creative process.

_____________________________
With music, they brought in Wyclef Jean and Marc Rebillet
Wyclef talked about how producers have used/modified samples from other works in the past, digging through records to find that perfect sound to add to the sound they've created in the studio manually. He explained that he now has a source of infinite, specified samples and sounds that he can add to the guitars, drums, etc. that he's already recording by hand
Marc is known for live looping and layering of sounds that he's recorded, sampled, or created on the fly. He explained how he can now quickly produce exactly the sound he's looking for to layer into what he's already creating
_____________________________
With film-making and video production, they brought in Donald Glover (Childish Gambino)
His takeaway quote was: "That's whats cool about it, you can make a mistake faster... at least in art, that's what you want: to make mistakes fast" which is something that, at least in my own artistic endeavors, deeply resonates. Curation and refinement- making mistakes and getting closer to the actual intent, is one of the most important parts of creating great art. Knowing what should be kept and what should be left out- taste, and the process of bringing to life that which you imagine accurately. Ben Franklin said it quite succinctly- "The eye [imagination/vision] of a master will do more work than both his hands"
The point being that quickly moving through ideas frees up an artists time for further exploration and refinement- which in turn opens up the creative process to people who might not have pursued it otherwise.
Gambino's second takeaway quote emphasizes this specifically:
"Everybody's gonna become a director, and everybody should be a director- because at the heart of all this is just storytelling. The closer we are to being able to tell each other our stories... the more we'll understand each other"
This is, in my mind, the part of Google I/O where they really knocked it out of the park.

This perspective is how people will come to view generative AI as a way of enhancing creation and self-expression, rather than destroying it. Creative communities will increasingly embrace it, bringing us more, and better art- and perhaps art that wouldn't have ever existed from people with ideas and stories that they never would have told otherwise.

I really strongly believe that this is the lens through which all creative generative AI should be viewed, shared, and promoted. This is the rhetoric and the perspective that creative people need to hear, emboldening and empowering them, rather than making them fearful of being replaced.
I don't often give Google many props... but they really figured this out and nailed the messaging today.
This perspective has the power to shift the conversation and steer creative pursuits in a more positive and capable direction... and potentially to awaken artistry in people who wouldn't have otherwise pursued it- increasing our collective ability to express ourselves and understand one another.
submitted by jPup_VR to singularity [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:58 BoomInTheSkyFL Customer Service Experience Was A Nightmare

Customer Service Experience Was A Nightmare
https://preview.redd.it/zw6fcwjrvf0d1.png?width=1544&format=png&auto=webp&s=9f5e5493872d00f051ce3e95e1807e4d7a7ce3a1
This is the review I shared on Amazon -
I got an Amazon gift card for the holidays (Dec. 2023) - In January, I purchased the Keurig Supreme and maybe used it 6 - 10 times... MAYBE!
Maybe 6 weeks later in mid-March, I went to make a cup of coffee and realized the unit was very hot... and then poof - dead! No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to turn on at all, including unplugging and re-plugging it in.
After contacting customer support, was told to take and send in a few photos - which i did. I received an e-mail acknowledging my reply. Maybe two weeks went by - and hadn't heard anything so I replied and included my original e-mail....
Another week went by and still hadn't heard anything so I called back. They told me the photos were missing - so I replied to their e-mail and sent in the missing photos.
Some time later, I got an e-mail denying my claim due to missing photo. I immediately replied to their e-mail and sent in the missing item. Now two weeks later - i haven't heard anything and STILL don't have a working Keurig.
I called back yet another time and this time spoke with a service manager directly... they tried to diagnose the problem I had sending my e-mail response to the company with the included serial number, amazon receipt (more on that later.)
After sending me an e-mail to a different Gmail address and replying from it - the company STILL had the same issue getting my replies. An HOUR + later - was getting more an more frustrated. After sending in my response with the screenshot from AMAZON of my receipt - about an hour later, I got a reply that said my receipt was not adequate and they asked me to send the broken unit in to "verify" that I purchased it...
While they could track the unit and saw that it was in fact purchased on Amazon - didn't "believe me" that I purchased the unit...
All I can say - is buyer beware. Keurig's customer service may be some of the worst I've ever experienced. If the company I work for offered customer service this poor, I'd be EMBARRASSED to work there. (And for the record, no, we don't make anything related to coffee),
It seems SO simple to work with a customer service team to remedy (and salvage) a bad customer experience.
submitted by BoomInTheSkyFL to keurig [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:57 Mrkawphy Boolean true/false with multiple columns to be compared?

Boolean true/false with multiple columns to be compared?
Good afternoon all!
Looking for a nudge in right direction to compare if two rows share the same value. Below is a quick example of a work order entry. I need to write a true/false that checks each row with the same work order # for a specific match. So the main value reference is two columns; WOCLASS "A" and Trade "electrician" and I need to then evaluate the WOCLASS B rows and confirm true or false for a match under "trade" for "electrician".
So if work order only has 1 WOCLASS A and 1 WOCLASS B and the trade was "electrician" and "plumber" the result would be false.
in the below situation there is 1 single A WOCLASS and 2 B WOCLASS rows to be checked. Comparing the A with Row 1 B is false but row 2 B is true because trade matches. If it has any match then I need it to show up as "true"
What is the best way to write this? I feel like this should be simple but any if statements I write are all returning with "false" and I feel like I am missing something painfully simple.
https://preview.redd.it/w60rwfe0wf0d1.png?width=285&format=png&auto=webp&s=2dbbe0f4b846d076684fb01767f9e8d21ebe6c23
submitted by Mrkawphy to tableau [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:56 Iazy_Iamb Uk, Tooth damage on foreign food in popcorn at cinema

Is it possible to claim on this? A filling from a back tooth fell out after a strange large chunk (appears to maybe be hardened sugar along with cornels and possible other things) was large but around the same size of a peice of popcorn, and was disguised among a handful until eaten, and then resulting in the injury. I’ve looked and seen you’re entitled to compensation if a restaurant’s food results in tooth injury, however since this is slightly different to a restaurant unsure. Mostly unsure about the fact it’s the loss of a filling and not a direct injury to the tooth? Does it still count as injury in a claim. Honestly all I’m looking for is possible coverage of the dental cost for a refilling, not long since I got the filling and it’s frustrating to have to spend it again. It’s not much for a company of this cinemas size and not looking for thousands in claims. Already filed a report at the scene and they’ve taken my details but looking for logistics on how this might go. I have the large foreign object, not the filling think it was swallowed along with the few other pieces of popcorn I failed to spit out at the time.
submitted by Iazy_Iamb to legaladvice [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:55 Apprehensive_Dog3668 Automoderator config not registered '\b' in regex?

This is my rule:
type: any body+title (regex): ["\bWes\b"] author: is_contributor: false action: filter This name needs to be blocked but since it's a three letter name, I cannot use regex+includes "Wes". I need to use the \b to assert just this word but it isn't registering properly. Does anyone know any examples of Automod configs that use this in their regex patterns? Couldnt find in the wiki or subreddit. Thanks! 
submitted by Apprehensive_Dog3668 to AutoModerator [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:55 Legitimate_Tower_254 Newly Engaged When The Shelf Broke

Background:
Mid-30's guy. Joined the church last year. Had a coworker who was a member and after seeing his family culture within the church it got me intrigued and I decided to join after a period of studying the scriptures.
Honestly, never fully bought into all of the more hard-to-fathom theological nuances but really liked the church culture especially with respect to the family.
I met a really nice lady within the church (she lives in Utah, part of the tabernacle choir, and has pioneer ancestry. I live in Florida and come from a long line of Baptists that think I've lost my mind ;) ) and we really hit it off and started flying back and forth to see each other and fell in love. Last month we got engaged with plans to marry at the end of the year.
Where Things Are Now:
I don't know what did it but this month I started reading this sub, studying objective church history books, and thinking about things I was not comfortable with about the church.
Particularly the fact that it feels to me like the church is pay-to-play in that if I don't hand over the tithe I can't fully participate. Couple that with what I've been told about having to have a yearly tithing settlement talk with the bishop and I feel more and more like the church is pay-to-play theology and compare that to mainline Christianity where for example I could show up to a mainline church today and fully participate and even get married without needing to show how much money I gave.
There are a lot of other things that have also started to weigh on my conscience. Ordinances for the dead, the church doubling down on garments, how a good member does not question the prophet and apostles, etc.
Anyway, I have printed out and notarized a resignation letter from QuitMormon.com but it is literally shaking in my hand because I truly love my fiance. And I know that if I leave the church she will probably leave. But on the other hand, I feel like I'll be miserable if I go through with my endowment, get sealed, and consecrate everything to the church.
She's so excited for the wedding, so devoted to me, and her family loves me and It just sucks having this doubt about the church come between it.
Anyway, I know that was a lot. But I appreciate any and all advice or wisdom and I honestly love this sub because it has given me a lot of hope that I'm not alone and not in the wrong for having doubts.
submitted by Legitimate_Tower_254 to exmormon [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:54 _oct0ber_ How well does Orthic hold up with blended characters?

I have been practicing Orthic for a few months now and have noticed that some characters blend into each other. Examples of this are E to N/M, S to T, T to E, etc. If you are writing slowly, you can try to make distinctions by very slightly lengthening or shortening certain lines. However, doing this at speed is extremely difficult. This leads to issues with readability ("Is this E and N or a funnily shaped M", "Is this T and E or a T that was drawn slightly incorrectly"). For these characters that blend into each other, it can be tricky to tell where one ends and the other begins.
For other Orthic writers, how do you handle these letters that appear to blend into each other? Does this impact your readability later on? I chose Orthic as my main system because I thought it was a highly readable system, but these letters blends are giving me a good deal of trouble.
submitted by _oct0ber_ to shorthand [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:52 BalkanCastevet Review Love Lies Bleeding 2024

Rose Glass directs a pulp movie with veins, a non-random term, fantasy, the ditch is immediately framed which evokes Lou's dark past and the place where his father hides his crimes, with a camera movement we first go into the depth of the ditch which then flow into the starry sky thus playing between low and high, descent and ascent, it is no coincidence that a shooting star is shown from the sky which symbolizes the beginning of the story but also the dreams and desires of Lou and Jackie. Through an alternating montage, the loneliness of both protagonists is shown until their meeting. Lou is a lesbian girl who runs a gym, she hates her father who is involved in illegal weapons trafficking, her mother has disappeared and the only reason she doesn't leave her hometown is because she wants to try to protect her sister Bet. Jackie also has a traumatic family past, she was adopted and dreams of becoming a bodybuilder, a dream not supported by her family. The film is therefore a suburban story, the chemistry between Lou and Jackie works and Rose Glass does not portray its characters as positive. The dynamic is beautiful where Jackie asks Lou to leave together, why Lou has never moved from her city and the following scene shows the two girls are having lunch together with Beth and the latter's boyfriend, J.J. The direction makes it clear that the reason why Lou doesn't move is Bet, wanting to protect her from J.J. who beats her up, in fact Beth is always shown with bruises and wounds, all of which will then also be made explicit both in gestures and words. The love between Lou and Jackie is sincere, the film shows their intimacy, however Lou's family situation will degenerate, involving the two girls and despite the mutual affection of the protagonists, the narrative shows mistakes, Lou still invites Jackie to take steroids to try to make her win the bodybuilder competition and subsequently she will carry out controversial acts and Jackie herself will be guilty of crimes. The competition sequence of the bodybuilder competition is well done, games of focus, the lights that start to move, the depth of field is removed, the suit to sensorially alter the dynamics and Rose Glass is noticeable that it comes from the genre, it has no hesitations in showing surreal touches and moments as he had already done for Saint Maud. The staging is good, there are single shots almost reminiscent of cosmic horror, the dark sky at night is very visible and there is a strong use of the color red which also appears in small details from scene to scene. The red clearly evokes blood, there is no shortage of direct shots totally surrounded by the color red but also moments of almost horror-like violence. The film begins at night just like Jackie's journey, the moments in the car, of movement, are at night and therefore shrouded in darkness as is the story of the two girls, the return from Las Vegas is emblematic, where the race for bodybuilders, where the horizon is totally black. In the finale, the car journey will instead be at dawn to mark the new beginning. The above-mentioned play of perspective between high and low is very present in the film, the shots from above also symbolize the various references to the film's destiny and the shots from below, especially on Jackie, are clues to what will happen, the showing the Gulliver cartoon on television which is a very strong signal for what will happen. In fact, you can also read the film as a sort of birth of anti-heroines, perhaps some will turn up their noses, but personally I appreciate when you dare even in these terms. Yes, it is a film that wants to tell a lot, the relationship between Lou and Jackie, Lou's family dynamic with his sister and father, Jacke's broken dream and not everything is fully centered, even in Saint Maud for example some references to the protagonist's past they were a little fast, just as some moments could have been better managed, for example there is a reaction from Lou's father that is a little too comical. However, the core of the film is spot on, the direction is good as is the narration between Lou and Jackie who are the fulcrum of the film, the final scene with flashes of black comedy that seals the birth of the two anti-heroines, both in fact they fulfill each other's narrative arc, where their actions and reactions, even when excessive and controversial, are well motivated
submitted by BalkanCastevet to u/BalkanCastevet [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:52 tortured-reputation IDR denied. Direct Loans Ineligible?

I graduated with my bachelors back in December. On January 1st I completed my loan exit counseling and put in an application for an IDR (I make only $16k a year and my federal loans total to about $40k.)
I called my servicer (MOHELA) two weeks ago. They informed me that the reason my application was denied was because an application for complete disability was put in under my name. I am able bodied and have not put in any claim for disability. The person I spoke to said she would resubmit my application and that I should hear something before May 10th. Haven’t received any sort of communication as of today (May 14th.)
I looked on the Federal Student Aid site today and it is telling me that my loans are ineligible for an IDR because they are not the correct type. I have 12 Direct Loans (a mix of subsidized and unsubsidized.) When I look at the list of IDR eligible loans, it shows that Direct Loans are eligible.
I am going to give my servicer another call today, I was just curious if anyone on here had any further insight or advice for me.
Thank you.
submitted by tortured-reputation to StudentLoans [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:48 Successful-Regret-60 Just wanted to get this off my chest

For context I'm a little over weight, and I'm trying my best to loose weight, I also have ADHD and dyspraxia.
I sometimes wish my mother and father could see life through my eyes, I wish they could experience the world how I do, because sometimes they laugh at or get mad at some things I do to cope example, having headphones on when I can help with the school run because my brothers argue in the back of the car, (brothers are 11 and 8), I struggle on crossing or walking on roads that I know are busy because I almost got hit by a bus once in year 7, and mum was going to pick me up by a small round about, there was road works and 2 paths were blocked and she got mad that I was panicking trying to get her to go a different way so I didn't have to try walking on the busy roads to get to her, claiming the cars wouldn't run me over, but I couldn't physically do it, then later on at tea, my brother (11) finished all but one slice of pizza, I took a single bite and moved it out my way so I could clean, I then got into trouble for "eating it" and that sent my dad on a tangent about how I need to try to loose weight and only eat my portions, yet he didn't finish one slice and had a whole bowl of cereal on top.
I just wanted to put this here because my parents won't listen, they will find a way to turn this on to me, and I just wanted to get my thoughts down somewhere.
submitted by Successful-Regret-60 to Vent [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:47 FireFight1234567 US v. Kittson: Appellant’s Opening Brief

Opening brief here.

Statute at Issue

18 USC § 922(o):
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun.
(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to—
(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect. (That is, 5/19/1986)

Background

In January of 2020, ATF Agent Jason Weber negotiated with Kittson through Nikki, an informant, regarding the purchase of an unstamped WWII-era Russian-manufactured PPSh-41, which was not under Kittson’s possession and had a nonfunctional drum mag. Weber was then re-directed to another home under construction, and the renovator (not the homeowner) named Ray Bohanan had firearms including the PPSh. Bohanan, who happened to be a gun aficionado and a “survivalist” and was planning to retreat to a bunker he built in rural Oregon, had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor and charged with narcotics possession, so he was prohibited under 18 USC §§ 922(g)(3) & (g)(9), respectively. However, Bohanon was never arrested and died in June of 2020. Kittson got indicted under 18 USC §§ 922(o) (Count 1) & 922(g)(1) (Count 2) and got arrested on May 28, 2021 per the arrest warrant.

Second Amendment Issue

At district level, besides citing Henry still being good law as Bruen didn’t disturb Heller and Miller, the government provided laws forbidding carrying weapons in terrorem populi, none of which are relevantly similar let alone distinctly similar to banning mere possession of certain arms. Judge Immergut (the same one for Measure 114) upheld the Hughes Amendment (18 USC § 922(o)) by citing the former. The problem with Henry, which was decided pre-Bruen, is that it used the fact that full autos are not in common use today (i.e. unusual) because of the Hughes Amendment. By using “dangerous and unusual”, the defender in the brief says the Henry panel used interest balancing to uphold the Hughes Amendment. In footnote 6, the 3rd Circuit en banc panel in the Range case warned courts to not latch onto and “overread” certain phrases like “law-abiding, responsible citizens” (and, though not mentioned, “presumptively lawful”) to uphold laws in question, especially via interest-balancing. The problem with Henry was that it didn’t use text, history, and tradition on whether full autos constituted “arms” under the plain text and whether the ban on possessing full autos is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation (or, it didn’t faithfully apply Heller). Rather, Henry used purely empirical and data analysis to uphold the ban and conclude that full autos are “dangerous and unusual”.
As we can see, one can say that the judge used interest balancing by saying that their own understanding of “unusual” derived from the numbers instead of using the THT method to understand what “unusual” historically meant. Personally speaking, I find that the evidence of interest-balancing in the Henry case is not really obvious, and the main error is that they misread Heller, especially its dicta, which “is inconceivable that [one] would rest [his or her] interpretation of the basic meaning of any guarantee of the Bill of Rights upon such a footnoted dictum in a case where the point [like the full auto] was not at issue and was not argued” per Heller’s footnote 25. The brief also cites the Duarte opinion as a good example of a very good application of text, history, and tradition of permanent disarmament of certain “people” like “felons” despite Heller saying that the law in question was “presumptively lawful.”

Summary of Other Issues

As mentioned earlier, Kittson claimed that he never actually or constructively possessed a machine gun. However, Kittson could have been charged for aiding and abetting the machinegun transfer, but defender claims that is defensible on 2 grounds. Statutorily speaking, the transferee was an ATF agent, so the transfer is lawful under § 922(o)(2)(A). The part where he can get criminally charged is Kittson’s lack of knowledge of Weber’s government status. Factually speaking, the PPSh-41 (which was historically unreliable mainly due to the drum mag) was nonfunctional because the magazine it was sold with was nonfunctional and incapable of being repaired to function (hmm, reminds me of the government saying that one need not have a magazine in order for a gun to function), so they unsuccessfully claimed that this wasn’t classifiable as a machinegun. That fact, however, was “omitted,” as Judge Immergut in the jury instructions said that a functioning magazine need not be equipped for a weapon to qualify as a full auto. Judge Immergut also didn’t allow the jury to factor in 922(o)(2)(A) (government exemptions) when giving the verdict, which deprived Kittson of his right to confront the charges and evidence against him and present a defense. Finally, the sentencing proceeding violated Kittson’s right to due process and a fair and impartial adjudicator. Judge Immergut’s fact findings were based on her personal practice as an Oregon state judge, not on evidence produced by the government. In this case, there was no evidence regarding some state judicial procedure relating to Kittson’s prior convictions produced by the government, but Judge Immergut decided to factor in anyway by awarding 1 criminal history point. By doing so, the court made itself a witness, thereby abandoning the requirement of neutrality.
submitted by FireFight1234567 to CAguns [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:46 sri745 Anyone have experience with pursuing warranty claim on factory tires?

I have a 2023 MY LR, that has ~6200 miles on the car. The tire depth is showing 7/32 left. I called GoodYear to start the claim process, and they directed me to a corporate store to start the claim process. Corporate store basically wants me to drop off the car for the day, just so they can start the process and decide what they can do as part of a warranty claim. Is this standard? I don't understand why they need to hold onto the car to just measure tire depth and to confirm that it's wearing down quicker than it should.
submitted by sri745 to ModelY [link] [comments]


2024.05.14 20:42 Initial_Bottle2532 high rate of desisting in ftms compared to mtfs

i don't want to get into why i think more ftms detransition than mtfs, because it would be baseless and opinionated more than anything else, but i really encourage every one on here, especially mtfs to go on detrans just to look around, it's a deeply infuriating experience so i wouldn't do it if you're having a shitty day but it gives you a lot of perspective for how dangerous these people are to us directly because of how their experiences are weaponized. i don't think de-transitioning is inherently bad, just want to clarify that, what is inherently bad is using your anecdotal experiences as a cudgel against trans people and projecting onto them. what sickens is me is this aggressive, pointed language, this implication that we will ALL inevitably desist, is just insane. i would only desist if i was literally forced to (which a lot of these women advocate for, of course). there's very few mtf detransitioners on there, i actually challenge you to find them, you can count them on one crippled hand. it's not just the reddit either, these are literally the statistics.
nearly twice as many trans men desist compared to trans women. i'm not saying ftms are invalid, but i think we need to stop being empathetic towards these sorts of people (not detransitioners who are genuinely trying to move forward in life and make the right choice for themselves, people who congregate on reddits like detrans and shit up this subreddit). they are just stupid, frankly. unless you are a literal child who was actually groomed into transitioning, you have no excuse. my autonomy shouldn't be taken from me because you have the decision making skills of a literal toddler... i just feel like that's illogical. i can join the military and die at 18, but should be 25 to take hrt because you lopped your tits off without a second thought? what the fuck? i wish other trans people would take the fucking kid gloves off with these people because they're genuinely so cruel, they would rather make people's quality of life worse than take accountability.
i would have zero issue with them if it didn't become this blame game that puts my life in jeopardy. i will literally die without hrt, it's that simple. but a lot of these women don't care because they're on a delulu crusade. mtf detransitioners are equally bad but there's just so much fewer of them, but the few that are around are awful (ray alex williams is a great example). literal AGP men larping as trans women (and not AGP in the funny 4chan way, genuinely AGP) and trying to take away our right to exist because they can't stop cooming. it's so maddening, i feel like we get it from every fucking angle. from society at large and from ourselves, and the overall LGBT community (the whole "drop the t" movement is a good example of how a lot of other letters tend to see us, especially gay men). we've literally been erased from our own movements as well, just look at stonewall. the trans women and men who were there might as well have not even existed to these people. we're literally just tools to be used in every sense. kills me.
i think a lot of detransitioners are just people struggling with their identity, and are trying to find themselves, and there's nothing wrong with that at all - people like that need support and we should give it to them. but people like this who refuse to acknowledge they had ANY hand in what happened to them is just not worth consideration, i will not empathize with people who call me a groomegroomed when i'm literally just trying to me happy in my own skin (just like them ironically, lol) but they can't seem to understand that, it has to be some worldwide conspiracy. i think a lot of these people just want us to die off, and they don't care if that's through detransition or suicide, they just want us gone because they feel WE did this to them. WE chopped their tits off. WE made their voice deep and masculine. WE made them infertile. when in the end these were all conscious decisions that you yourself, made. we'll talk about the pain and dysphoria of detransitioners but no one ever wants to talk about the agony of growing up in a body that is distinctly male and you can't fathom why that is, and why it hurts so much. suffering for years and just being ignored because we "have to be cautious". i lost 2 years (probably more, honestly, but i knew for sure that i was trans during those two years) of my fucking life because of this stupid red tape put up by idiots like this, gone, down the fucking drain. literally BEGGING for blockers, even because i was literally fighting the urge to kill myself every single fucking night, EVERY NIGHT. i've spent almost my entire life disassociating until hrt. it hurts so fucking bad and no one gives a fuck. those scars are still with me, but fuck it, let's talk about the feelings of the 2% of the 1% lol right?
this post is really rambly and angry, there's probably a lot that i said that is incorrect/baseless but this is definitely an emotional thing for me. i really don't think these people are a bigger threat than right-wing politicians or theocrats of course but i can't help but get very upset over it, it just feels so much more personal.
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