Raster to vector conversion is an essential process in graphic design and various other fields that require scalable and editable graphics. Converting raster images, which are composed of pixels, into vector graphics, which are composed of geometric primitives, like lines, circles, or curves, allows for resolution-independent and easily editable designs. This guide will walk you through the process of turning a raster image into a vector graphic using popular software tools.
Step 1: Choose the Right Software
Several software options can facilitate raster to vector conversion. Some popular choices include:
Adobe Illustrator:
Widely used in the graphic design industry, Illustrator offers powerful tools for vectorization.
CorelDRAW:
Another popular vector graphics editor that includes robust tracing capabilities.
Step 2: Prepare Your Raster Image
Before converting, ensure your raster image is in a suitable format (such as JPEG, PNG, or BMP) and has a high enough resolution to capture essential details. Clean up the image by removing any noise or unwanted elements that might complicate the vectorization process.
Step 3: Import the Raster Image
Open your chosen software and import the raster image:
In Adobe Illustrator, go to File > Place, and select your image.
In CorelDRAW, go to File > Import, and choose your image.
Step 4: Trace the Image
Most vector graphics software includes an auto-tracing feature that simplifies the conversion process. Here’s how to use it in some popular programs:
Adobe Illustrator
Select the Image: Click on the raster image to select it.
Open Image Trace Panel: Go to Window > Image Trace to open the Image Trace panel.
Choose a Preset: Select a tracing preset from the dropdown menu. Options like "Black and White Logo" or "High Fidelity Photo" can give different results.
Adjust Settings: Fine-tune the settings for Threshold, Paths, Corners, and Noise to get the desired level of detail.
Trace the Image: Click the Trace button to convert the image to a vector.
Expand: Click Object > Expand to finalize the vector paths.
CorelDRAW
Select the Image: Click on the raster image to select it.
Open PowerTRACE: Go to Bitmap > Outline Trace, and choose the appropriate tracing option like "Detailed Logo" or "Clipart".
Adjust Settings: Adjust the settings for detail, smoothing, and corner sharpening to refine the vectorization.
Trace the Image: Click OK to create the vector paths.
Ungroup Objects: Ungroup the traced image to work on individual elements if necessary.
Step 5: Refine the Vector Image
After tracing, you'll likely need to refine the vector paths to clean up the image:
Ungroup Objects: Ungroup the traced image to work on individual elements.
Edit Paths: Use the node editing tools to adjust, add, or delete anchor points and paths.
Simplify Paths: Simplify overly complex paths to make the vector graphic more efficient and easier to work with.
Step 6: Save the Vector Image
Once satisfied with the vectorized image, save it in a vector format:
Adobe Illustrator: Save as AI or export as SVG, PDF, or other vector formats.
CorelDRAW: Save as CDR or export as SVG, PDF, etc.
Tips for Successful Raster to Vector Conversion
High-Quality Source Images: Start with the highest quality raster image possible to ensure the best results.
Experiment with Settings: Auto-tracing settings can significantly impact the final vector, so experiment to find the best configuration for your image.
Manual Touch-Ups: Auto-tracing isn’t perfect. Be prepared to manually refine the vector paths.
Use Layers: Organize complex images into layers for easier editing and manipulation.
Conclusion:
Raster to vector conversion is a powerful technique that enhances the scalability, editability, and versatility of images. By following this step-by-step guide, you can effectively convert raster images into vector graphics using popular software tools like Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. Whether for graphic design, technical drawings, or web graphics, mastering this process will significantly enhance your creative and technical projects.

Please help, lol. I started Levothyroxine 25mcg about 10 weeks ago as I had been experiencing symptoms of both hyperthyroidism (edit: symptoms of hyper were back in 2017, since then it's been a steady decline to hypothyroid and for the last four years particularly symptomatic and all over the place) and more recently hypothyroidism for years and hadn't tried treatment yet - my TSH levels have naturally fluctuated between 12 and 3.7 since being monitored four years ago. When I began treatment my levels were as follows: TSH: 5.370 (ref low: 0.350, ref high: 5.500) FT4: 16.10 (ref low: 11.90, ref high: 21.60) FT3: 5.65 (ref low: 3.10, ref high: 6.80) Anti-Tg: 375 (ref high: 115) Anti-TPO: 222.2 (ref high: 60)
After 10 weeks of medication I'm now hyperthyroid and can feel all the telltale symptoms of being overactive returning, albeit it has been very nice to not be fatigued. Levels as of yesterday are: TSH: 0.007 FT4: 31.10 FT3: 10.70 Anti-Tg: 486 Anti-TPO: 84
I don't have access to an endocrinologist of any specialist. I'm in the UK and had to seek the help of a private GP just to get anybody to remotely take seriously my symptoms and request to try medication. But looking at these results and my emerging symptoms of being hyper I'm at a loss of what to do. I see the GP tomorrow and 1) I'm worried she'll stop the medication completely and 2) I can understand why but I don't want to go back to feeling how I did before I started Levo.
Is it possible to take a lower dose of Levothyroxine by taking an alternate day dose? Should I stop taking Levothyroxine completely for now to help my levels even out? I'm so lost.
Thanks for any information/sharing of experiences.
(P.S also posted this in the Hashimotos community as I'm not sure where I stand).

Welcome back to [WTB] Wednesday!

This thread will be the way this sub handles [WTB] requests. The thread will be refreshed every Wednesday morning and pinned at the top of the sub.
[WTB] posts outside this thread will be removed.
Keep in mind all activity in the [WTB] thread must be adhere to the sub's rules.

I want to buy something.

Step 1 - Reply directly to this post.
If you want to buy multiple things, please put them all into a single comment.
Off-topic comments will be removed.
Step 2 - Make your comment as descriptive as possible.
The mods may remove comments that are vague or low-effort.
Step 3 - If a possible seller contacts you, exercise care and caution before sending payment.
Mods cannot protect against fraud and ineptitude. Some steps you can take to increase chances of a successful experience include:

• Do not buy from a seller who has not replied to you comment before reaching out privately. If they cannot reply to your comment, it is possible they do not meet the requirements of participation here or are banned. We strongly recommend you only deal with individuals who can reply to your comment.
  
• Do not buy before you have checked a potential seller's feedback on PMsFeedback. You can also check the Universal Scammer List, but users banned by the USL are precluded from commenting here. (See above).
  
• Always be sure that you are dealing with the user who commented on your post and not someone impersonating them. If someone reaches out to you and their username begins with /, proceed with extreme caution.
  
• Do not buy if the seller has not provided a verification photo equivalent to what is required for [WTS] ads.
  
• If you are unsure about a seller, ask if they will ship first, use a middleman, or accept a payment method that offers protection to the buyer.
  
• If something seems amiss, you aren't obligated to purchase anything. If you're looking for something that isn't very unusual, be patient and see if another seller with a more solid reputation can offer it to you.
  

Step 4 - Edit your comment if your [WTB] is fulfilled.
If a seller fulfills your [WTB], go back and edit your post to indicate that. The best thing to do is to add [FULFILLED] to the comment or strikethrough the items. Do not delete your comment if it has been fulfilled.
Step 5 - Serious buyers only.
Do not post on this thread if you don't intend to actually buy anything. Using this as a gauge to see what's available or as a price check mechanism is not allowed. If you aren't ready to pay for an item in the near term, do not post in the thread until your funds are ready. In short, don't waste potential sellers' time.

I have something that someone is looking to buy.

Step 1 - Reply to the appropriate comment.
You can reply with "PM sent" or "I have x. Is that of interest?" or anything to get yourself started. The most important thing is that you reply to the buyer's initial comment to prove you are not banned and meet the sub's participation requirements.
Step 2 - Transact with the buyer privately.
This is the step where you should provide a verification photo to your possible buyer. Do not be offended if a buyer wants you to prove you are a trustworthy seller.
Step 3 - Don't waste buyers' time.
Try to stick to what the potential buyer is looking for as best as you are able.

Good luck to all buyers and sellers!

Update - As of 8/2/23, [WTT] comments will not be allowed in this thread. Please create a standalone post.

Book Your Free Consultation Today! > Discord @ shelbion

About Me

My name is Shelbion and I've been an avid League of Legends player for over a decade. In Season 4, I reached Challenger for the first time and even considered pursuing a professional career. However, after much reflection, I decided to pursue other challenges within the game.
Some of my notable achievements as a player include:

• Reaching Challenger on multiple positions.
• Participating and winning in numerous SR and 1v1 tournaments.
• Playing for various teams(Amateur and Semi-Professional).

Coaching

With over 7.000 hours of coaching experience, I fall into the category of one of the most experienced individuals in the field. My experience, passion, and ability to identify your flaws and tailor each session to your needs make me stand out as a Coach.
I've studied the techniques of renowned coaches, such as LS, MagiFelix, and others, and I've developed my unique coaching approach. So far, my approach has helped countless individuals, and over 20 teams advance their competitive play, across 5 different continents, including members of various College and University eSport Teams.
Some of my notable achievements include:

• Assisting a Diamond 2 player reach Challenger in just five weeks.
• Helping a Silver 2 player climb to Platinum in three weeks.
• Guiding a Diamond 3 player to Grandmaster in six weeks.

I am dedicated to continuously honing my skills and providing the best coaching experience possible to all of my clients, regardless of their rank or location.

Subscription Based Coaching

• One Individual Session (Monthly)
• Group Sessions (Weekly) x2
• Priority Coaching - Price: 99.99 > 49.99$.

Verifications & Certifications

• Certified IFOEC (International Federation of eSport Coaches) Educator & Coach.
• Certified EHPI (eSports Health & Performance) Professional.
• University of Irvine eSport Specialization
• Verified Coachify & Metafy Partner.

Community

In addition to my experience as a Player, I am also the Founder of Noxus Coaching - a rapidly growing, educational community on Discord. Our community is a great place to find new friends to play with, have a good time, and most importantly, improve your skills.
We hold various events on a weekly basis, including 1v1 & 5v5 tournaments, meme contests, and more. There are plenty of rewards to be won, including free coaching sessions with me. To join our community, visit https://discord.gg/RHW9BMxRd5 and message me upon joining to receive your role.

Podcast

• Podcast Appearance > https://youtu.be/4jn4FXOaOlE?si=98POLUJdJeSNnbiW

How Does it Work?

We will schedule an initial Interview during which we can discuss your goals and I can provide a more detailed explanation of my coaching services. This interview will typically last for 3-5 minutes.
The First Session is designed to assess your current level of gameplay and identify areas for improvement. After conducting an analysis, I will create a Personalized Coaching Plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline a series of sessions designed to maximize your improvement.
The Coaching Plan may include various session types, such as:

• Theory sessions: These sessions will cover key concepts such as wave management, vision, decision making, and more.
• Practical sessions: These sessions will either be VOD reviews or live games, and will be used to put theoretical knowledge into practice and analyze gameplay.
• Reviews: These sessions will occur periodically and will be used as checkpoints to track your progress and identify any additional areas for improvement.

All sessions will be personalized and created specifically for each student's needs. By following this plan, you can feel confident that you are taking the most effective steps to achieve your goals.

Personalized Support (Available 24/7)

In addition to the structured coaching sessions, I offer personalized support to my clients on a 24/7 basis. Whether you have a specific question or just want to debrief after a tough game, I am always available to help. Simply message me and I will respond as quickly as possible.

AvailabilityPricesPayments

I am able to cover any server and any timezone! Rates for both Private and Team coaching are negotiable. We will easily get the sessions to fit your budget and your needs.
Payments are usually done through PayPal, however other forms of Payment such as Direct Transfer can be discussed.

Contact

Main form of contact is Discord on which you can find me at shelbion (Or Shelbion#8832)
Feel free to message me either on Discord or through a Direct Message on Reddit and I will come back to you as quickly as possible.

She might be the worst/most annoying contestant I’ve ever seen on these shows and didn’t deserve to be anywhere near the top 3. Does nothing the first three episodes that’s fine. Blowing up at Alyssa proves how bad she was and not following the plan against Kim to put a target on her back r just the start. She solely took the deal against Alyssa (not because it was mathematically the smart option which it was 57% in her favor) but because she hated her so bad she wanted to be away from her when SHE LIED FIRST ABOUT NOT KNOWING THE PLAN. (Alyssa is dumb too btw but not nearly to this extent). She makes every bad decision possible and due to pure luck/other ppls conveniently time stupidity (Claudia offering her case, Aron taking 4 mill over 3.5, Nick putting himself up, ppl being loudmouths, getting on Robs team where he carries that comp, Aron not being able to use a walkie talkie/map {forget which actually hurts them here}, blowing her lead/miscalculating the sand/rope comp but others just were dumbeworse) best part absolutely none of it ever catches up with her she gets out BY PURE LUCK! She has an ego the size of the sun and was just an all around mumbling bumbling idiot who somehow made it really far. This isn’t even talking about the many bad attempts at “lies”. Ex: WHY TF WOULD ROB EVER TAKE U OVER ARON TO THE FINALE BUT SOMEHOW ARON BELIEVES THIS (Aron while a favorite was awful in his last episode besides taking the 66% chance). I get some of these r suggestive as to how stupid they actually r but there’s a pattern of her actively making the wrong decisions with no consequences ever tbh. There’s so much more but this is all I can remember for now. I have to be missing something right? There had to be a strategy to getting to the top 3 while being the most obvious snake/most brain dead player I’ve ever seen. Also her annoying personality, constant eye rolling, loud mouth and scummy stuff like bullying Aron (not the only one) behind his back (not strategy mind u straight middle haha nerd school type bullying) at age 41 btw just makes her so hatable to me and not in a good way. Kinda more of if she didn’t leave two minutes after Rob did (or even worse possibly win the entire game with no skill) I was gonna actively loss my mind and would stop watching the show altogether type hate. If u think I’m wrong about something or have more to add please reply. She significantly ruined my enjoyment for the show with the only slight joy I gained from her being there was when she finally left (sadly far too late). Cant even enjoy that fully do to her losing being PURE LUCK. I think if even 3 ppl had brains then she would’ve been gone so much sooner (I guess it benefits ur game when 10/12 ppl r also idiots and one of the non idiots is the biggest target in the game and the other is the most passive in the game). To any fans of her what can u possibly like about her? Because she is just straight awful to me in gameplay, personality and strategy all at the same time but u know who she beats in the end? Every single person she disliked INCLUDING ROB A PERSON BETTER IN QUITE LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE FACET OF THE GAME 100 TIMES OVER. He made 1 mistake all game the entire show (which granted was one of the dumbest moves in the entire game) but with this 1 screw up he instantly loses. SHE MADE SO MANY MORE/EVEN WORSE MISTAKES AND NOT ONE OF THEM EFFECTED HER GAME IN THE SLIGHTEST AND IN THE END NEVER HURTING HER IN ANY SORT OF WAY!!!!!!!!!!
TLDR Stephanie is an awful person/competitoegotistical moron who should’ve never been close to top 3, I couldn’t be more happy she lost.

Book Your Free Consultation Today! > Discord @ shelbion

About Me

My name is Shelbion and I've been an avid League of Legends player for over a decade. In Season 4, I reached Challenger for the first time and even considered pursuing a professional career. However, after much reflection, I decided to pursue other challenges within the game.
Some of my notable achievements as a player include:

• Reaching Challenger on multiple positions.
• Participating and winning in numerous SR and 1v1 tournaments.
• Playing for various teams(Amateur and Semi-Professional).

Coaching

With over 7.000 hours of coaching experience, I fall into the category of one of the most experienced individuals in the field. My experience, passion, and ability to identify your flaws and tailor each session to your needs make me stand out as a Coach.
I've studied the techniques of renowned coaches, such as LS, MagiFelix, and others, and I've developed my unique coaching approach. So far, my approach has helped countless individuals, and over 20 teams advance their competitive play, across 5 different continents, including members of various College and University eSport Teams.
Some of my notable achievements include:

• Assisting a Diamond 2 player reach Challenger in just five weeks.
• Helping a Silver 2 player climb to Platinum in three weeks.
• Guiding a Diamond 3 player to Grandmaster in six weeks.

I am dedicated to continuously honing my skills and providing the best coaching experience possible to all of my clients, regardless of their rank or location.

Subscription Based Coaching

• One Individual Session (Monthly)
• Group Sessions (Weekly) x2
• Priority Coaching - Price: 99.99 > 49.99$.

Verifications & Certifications

• Certified IFOEC (International Federation of eSport Coaches) Educator & Coach.
• Certified EHPI (eSports Health & Performance) Professional.
• University of Irvine eSport Specialization
• Verified Coachify & Metafy Partner.

Community

In addition to my experience as a Player, I am also the Founder of Noxus Coaching - a rapidly growing, educational community on Discord. Our community is a great place to find new friends to play with, have a good time, and most importantly, improve your skills.
We hold various events on a weekly basis, including 1v1 & 5v5 tournaments, meme contests, and more. There are plenty of rewards to be won, including free coaching sessions with me. To join our community, visit https://discord.gg/RHW9BMxRd5 and message me upon joining to receive your role.

Podcast

• Podcast Appearance > https://youtu.be/4jn4FXOaOlE?si=98POLUJdJeSNnbiW

How Does it Work?

We will schedule an initial Interview during which we can discuss your goals and I can provide a more detailed explanation of my coaching services. This interview will typically last for 3-5 minutes.
The First Session is designed to assess your current level of gameplay and identify areas for improvement. After conducting an analysis, I will create a Personalized Coaching Plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline a series of sessions designed to maximize your improvement.
The Coaching Plan may include various session types, such as:

• Theory sessions: These sessions will cover key concepts such as wave management, vision, decision making, and more.
• Practical sessions: These sessions will either be VOD reviews or live games, and will be used to put theoretical knowledge into practice and analyze gameplay.
• Reviews: These sessions will occur periodically and will be used as checkpoints to track your progress and identify any additional areas for improvement.

All sessions will be personalized and created specifically for each student's needs. By following this plan, you can feel confident that you are taking the most effective steps to achieve your goals.

Personalized Support (Available 24/7)

In addition to the structured coaching sessions, I offer personalized support to my clients on a 24/7 basis. Whether you have a specific question or just want to debrief after a tough game, I am always available to help. Simply message me and I will respond as quickly as possible.

AvailabilityPricesPayments

I am able to cover any server and any timezone! Rates for both Private and Team coaching are negotiable. We will easily get the sessions to fit your budget and your needs.
Payments are usually done through PayPal, however other forms of Payment such as Direct Transfer can be discussed.

Contact

Main form of contact is Discord on which you can find me at shelbion (Or Shelbion#8832)
Feel free to message me either on Discord or through a Direct Message on Reddit and I will come back to you as quickly as possible.

Book Your Free Consultation Today! > Discord @ shelbion

About Me

My name is Shelbion and I've been an avid League of Legends player for over a decade. In Season 4, I reached Challenger for the first time and even considered pursuing a professional career. However, after much reflection, I decided to pursue other challenges within the game.
Some of my notable achievements as a player include:

• Reaching Challenger on multiple positions.
• Participating and winning in numerous SR and 1v1 tournaments.
• Playing for various teams(Amateur and Semi-Professional).

Coaching

With over 7.000 hours of coaching experience, I fall into the category of one of the most experienced individuals in the field. My experience, passion, and ability to identify your flaws and tailor each session to your needs make me stand out as a Coach.
I've studied the techniques of renowned coaches, such as LS, MagiFelix, and others, and I've developed my unique coaching approach. So far, my approach has helped countless individuals, and over 20 teams advance their competitive play, across 5 different continents, including members of various College and University eSport Teams.
Some of my notable achievements include:

• Assisting a Diamond 2 player reach Challenger in just five weeks.
• Helping a Silver 2 player climb to Platinum in three weeks.
• Guiding a Diamond 3 player to Grandmaster in six weeks.

I am dedicated to continuously honing my skills and providing the best coaching experience possible to all of my clients, regardless of their rank or location.

Subscription Based Coaching

• One Individual Session (Monthly)
• Group Sessions (Weekly) x2
• Priority Coaching - Price: 99.99 > 49.99$.

Verifications & Certifications

• Certified IFOEC (International Federation of eSport Coaches) Educator & Coach.
• Certified EHPI (eSports Health & Performance) Professional.
• University of Irvine eSport Specialization
• Verified Coachify & Metafy Partner.

Community

In addition to my experience as a Player, I am also the Founder of Noxus Coaching - a rapidly growing, educational community on Discord. Our community is a great place to find new friends to play with, have a good time, and most importantly, improve your skills.
We hold various events on a weekly basis, including 1v1 & 5v5 tournaments, meme contests, and more. There are plenty of rewards to be won, including free coaching sessions with me. To join our community, visit https://discord.gg/RHW9BMxRd5 and message me upon joining to receive your role.

Podcast

• Podcast Appearance > https://youtu.be/4jn4FXOaOlE?si=98POLUJdJeSNnbiW

How Does it Work?

We will schedule an initial Interview during which we can discuss your goals and I can provide a more detailed explanation of my coaching services. This interview will typically last for 3-5 minutes.
The First Session is designed to assess your current level of gameplay and identify areas for improvement. After conducting an analysis, I will create a Personalized Coaching Plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will outline a series of sessions designed to maximize your improvement.
The Coaching Plan may include various session types, such as:

• Theory sessions: These sessions will cover key concepts such as wave management, vision, decision making, and more.
• Practical sessions: These sessions will either be VOD reviews or live games, and will be used to put theoretical knowledge into practice and analyze gameplay.
• Reviews: These sessions will occur periodically and will be used as checkpoints to track your progress and identify any additional areas for improvement.

All sessions will be personalized and created specifically for each student's needs. By following this plan, you can feel confident that you are taking the most effective steps to achieve your goals.

Personalized Support (Available 24/7)

In addition to the structured coaching sessions, I offer personalized support to my clients on a 24/7 basis. Whether you have a specific question or just want to debrief after a tough game, I am always available to help. Simply message me and I will respond as quickly as possible.

AvailabilityPricesPayments

I am able to cover any server and any timezone! Rates for both Private and Team coaching are negotiable. We will easily get the sessions to fit your budget and your needs.
Payments are usually done through PayPal, however other forms of Payment such as Direct Transfer can be discussed.

Contact

Main form of contact is Discord on which you can find me at shelbion (Or Shelbion#8832)
Feel free to message me either on Discord or through a Direct Message on Reddit and I will come back to you as quickly as possible.

I'm finishing a Cybersecurity, and I'll start an internship in a few weeks.
During the course, we saw a lot of different stuff such hardening, forensics, etc, being Pentesting and DevOps my favourite things, as I have professional experience as a web developer (both front and backend).
Initially, I was partial to Pentesting/Bug Bounty, as working from home in my own hours is my focus. But in the last week, I had to use Google Cloud and I liked it, and now I'm thinking about the possibility of working as a DevOps cloud engineer as a freelance.
So, my question is: If I like Pentesting, I can take the Bug Bounty route, working from home, on my own hours. There is something like that but for DevOps cloud engineer, where I can take jobs that will take me hours/days, or the classic 9-to-5 is the only way?

I have purchased an item off vinted and after doing so, it states the seller is preparing my order with a tracking link, however when clicking on the tracking link, it shows the status as 'We're expecting it' but has not moved passed this status for the past 5 days. I have messaged the seller to which they responded to say they thought they had posted it, and then went on to say that they could use the spare pair they have and re-send (sounds fishy I know!). Bare in mind that the seller is in the same area as me so in the beggining I did ask if I could collect to save the hassle and cost of postage to which they said they have a few things to post at the same time so it's OK. Alarm bells ringing at this point but thought I'd give it the benefit of doubt.
Anyway, supposedly the seller has a spare pair of the exact same item I originally purchased and they've advised they would repost yesterday. It is now the day after and still no tracking status update. I have re-messaged the seller and have received nothing back since. I kind of expect this to be some kind of scam now, however I want to leave a review on the sellers page to advise anybody else looking to purchase something as I only did this myself because the seller has 59 positive reviews so thought all would be OK, obviously not.
If I cancel the order with the seller, am I still able to leave a review or is it best to wait until vinted auto cancel the order? I've read that if vinted auto cancel, the seller will automatically receive a 1 star review, but am I able to add my experience to this review or not? Seems a bit silly if I'm not able to provide other people with the experience I've had.

Hi guys, long time lurker here,
(Excuse the formatting, I've slept for about 3 hours, which is what has prompted me to ask for help from the people who know best.)
A bit about me: I am 5ft2, 150-ish lbs, I have diagnosed EDS which causes a lot of pain and discomfort, major thyroid issues which contribute to overheating, I wake up at the smallest noise/change, and I run way way too hot when sleeping. Other words, I'm a delight in the bedroom hahaha!
I'm currently sleeping on an IKEA VATNESTROM mattress, which I bought for the natural latex and wool materials. I was an idiot and bought it in 'firm' because I was sleeping on a memory foam beforehand which was killing my back, hips, even my ankles, to lay on. So I thought I'd double down and go for as supportive as possible. Looool.
I sleep mostly with cotton or bamboo bedsheets, I believe the cotton is 400 threadcount, they are crisp and cool to touch - so whatever they are. I also sleep with a fan on mostly for sound, sometimes pointed at me sometimes not. I changed my duvet to the GRUSSTARR 2.5 tog from IKEA so it's thinner. However I pointed the fan at myself last night as I woke up boiling hot and I then got far too cold. Can't bloody win.
The main problem is that the mattress is too hard for my shoulder, and after a year of sleeping on this mattress something has to change. The firm has meant that my neck, hips, back, and legs don't hurt anymore, which is AMAZING, but my shoulders are so painful in the middle of the night that I then can't get back to sleep.
I am a lifelong side sleeper. I have tried to change it, but I just can't sleep on my back and when I do I get sleep paralysis, so I'd rather avoid that if possible.
I can't do memory foam as I do not like the sinking feeling, and I need something supportive but soft due to my condition, as well as being super breathable because I turn into lava at night.
I've been looking at:

• Talalay standard double topper - worried re: latex not being soft enough & running warm
• Wool only mattress topper - conscious that it will compress after a year or two so not sustainable
• IKEA TUSTNA mattress topper
• Cotton only topper (?)
• Microcoil topper - for support and breathability but can't find a natural one that's not wool based (compression)
• I saw the IKEA cooling pad and though that could help (??)
• Cotton or merino wool "Mattress Enhancer" and forgoing the topper altogether
• Or just giving up and resigning myself to not sleeping forever

I can't afford a sleep system or a bedjet, and we don't have AC in the UK. I also can't open the windows as I live on a freight train line so it gets really really loud at night. I have to keep my bedroom door closed as I have cats that like to jump on my head when I'm sleeping so I have to keep them out (as much as it breaks my heart).
My boyfriend has to sleep in another room due to my terrible sleep and he has the TUSTNA topper and it has made his sleep much more comfortable from his shitty landlord special mattress, but he did say that it runs quite warm for him, so it might be an absolute disaster for me.
I feel kind of stuck really. I've been looking at this reddit and also researching mattresses on/off for the last few years and I'm at the point of information overload to where I'm just paralysed and not doing enough to fix it. I wake up feeling like I've barely slept even on the nights that I sleep 9 hours, and feel like a little old lady. Whomp whomp.
Hope you're all having a lovely day! <3

Hi, my husband leaves for Bootcamp soon and the rate he chose will either make him an ET or an FC and I have gotten some yes and some no’s on this but will the navy move me to great lakes for the schooling? it’s roughly (at least it says online) 7.5 months in great lakes for ET but online it says ATT 11 weeks and A school 19 weeks and C school is somewhere else and FC is 31 weeks in great lakes as one not split up at all. But I keep getting told that since the ET schooling is split up they wont move me up but then I know people did get moved up even though it was split up. Thank you in advance I am just trying to prepare and make this transition as smooth as possible.

(Machine translated from German)
Several years ago, at the age of 34, I was struck by Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS). During my acute illness, it greatly helped me to read personal accounts from others affected by MFS on the internet. For this reason, and also for my own recollection, I would like to share my story here.
It all started on a Friday in early December with a nearly painful tingling sensation in my fingers, almost like the feeling you get when warming up extremely cold hands too quickly by a heater. The next day, I noticed a change in my taste, and my morning honey suddenly tasted rather bitter. In addition to a general feeling of discomfort and uncertainty due to the initial symptoms, I experienced a slight, nonspecific vision disturbance on the third day. All of this prompted me to visit the hospital that day. What I later learned, and it is important to mention here, is that I had a severe gastrointestinal illness about 10 to 14 days prior.
In the hospital, several tests were conducted, primarily targeting a stroke. Sensory disturbances in the hands, taste disorder, and slight vision problems did not lead to a concrete or sufficiently dangerous diagnosis, so I was sent home. Unfortunately, it was late Sunday evening, and only an assistant doctor was present, who, in consultation via phone with a specialist or chief physician, made this decision. So, I went to bed with a very uneasy feeling.
That this uneasy feeling was justified became clear the next day. In addition to the previous symptoms, which had all significantly worsened, I now had difficulty articulating verbally. The vision disturbance had developed into clear double vision, and I went straight back to the hospital. There, a doctor recognized the severity of the situation and transferred me directly to a hospital specializing in neurology without giving a diagnosis. After the chief physician there heard my story, he immediately suspected MFS, particularly because he asked about my history before the first symptoms (gastrointestinal infection).
On the same day, I was given immunoglobulins based on this suspicion, starting the therapy. By then, my senses were severely impaired, and I had a constant, though not painful, tingling in my hands and feet. When I touched something, the sensation was delayed. Walking felt like I was moving on an extremely soft carpet. Walking was generally difficult because I had severe coordination problems (nevertheless, I went for a walk every day from day one). My taste was completely off, and everything tasted disgusting and somewhat bitter. Swallowing was almost impossible as my soft palate was also affected by paralysis, which led to the articulation issues. The double vision kept worsening.
This condition persisted until Tuesday, and from Wednesday onwards, the symptoms began to stabilize. Over the course of a week, during which I received a daily dose of immunoglobulins in the hospital, several examinations were carried out (MRI, spinal tap, and a type of nerve conduction study), and my condition further stabilized and perhaps even slightly improved.
After the hospital stay, I went directly to a neurological rehabilitation clinic, where I stayed for about 1.5 to 2 months. During this time, I engaged in a lot of physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, and my impairments significantly improved. Upon discharge and subsequent reintegration into work according to the Hamburg Model, I only had minimal restrictions from the remaining symptoms, apart from the double vision, which only resolved after almost half a year.
Afterwards, for about 2 to 3 years, I experienced occasional episodes where my body felt very strange, and I feared it was related to the syndrome. Perhaps it was, even if only psychosomatically. In any case, I suffered greatly from these episodes, even though nothing serious ever happened. Even today, I still occasionally have similar feelings, but they hardly worry me anymore.
Throughout this time, I had a strong urge to heal and was actively engaged in movement, starting with small walks every day in the hospital and later much more intensively with sports in rehabilitation. The movement helped me and showed that things could improve or weren't as bad as they seemed.
If you are affected, I wish you or your loved ones a speedy recovery and optimism. From my experience, I can say that both are absolutely possible, and I am very grateful for our healthcare system in Germany, which worked superbly in this case (except for the Sunday assistant doctor issue, which was not cool at all). MFS definitely made me stronger :)
Further information:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24138-miller-fisher-syndrome

Please help, lol. I started Levothyroxine 25mcg about 10 weeks ago as I had been experiencing symptoms of both hyperthyroidism (edit: symptoms of hyper were back in 2017, since then it's been a steady decline to hypothyroid and for the last four years particularly symptomatic and all over the place) and more recently hypothyroidism for years and hadn't tried treatment yet - my TSH levels have naturally fluctuated between 12 and 3.7 since being monitored four years ago. When I began treatment my levels were as follows: TSH: 5.370 (ref low: 0.350, ref high: 5.500) FT4: 16.10 (ref low: 11.90, ref high: 21.60) FT3: 5.65 (ref low: 3.10, ref high: 6.80) Anti-Tg: 375 (ref high: 115) Anti-TPO: 222.2 (ref high: 60)
After 10 weeks of medication I'm now hyperthyroid and can feel all the telltale symptoms of being overactive returning, albeit it has been very nice to not be fatigued. Levels as of yesterday are: TSH: 0.007 FT4: 31.10 FT3: 10.70 Anti-Tg: 486 Anti-TPO: 84
I don't have access to an endocrinologist of any specialist. I'm in the UK and had to seek the help of a private GP just to get anybody to remotely take seriously my symptoms and request to try medication. But looking at these results and my emerging symptoms of being hyper I'm at a loss of what to do. I see the GP tomorrow and 1) I'm worried she'll stop the medication completely and 2) I can understand why but I don't want to go back to feeling how I did before I started Levo.
Is it possible to take a lower dose of Levothyroxine by taking an alternate day dose? Should I stop taking Levothyroxine completely for now to help my levels even out? I'm so lost.
Thanks for any information/sharing of experiences.

TL;DR: I’m juggling the ownership of two homes and seeking advice on how to optimize my financial strategy.
Background: I currently own a home valued at approximately $550,000 with a remaining mortgage of $300,000 at a fixed rate of 1.99% until February 2025. My savings have been funneled into a high-interest savings account, and I’ve been making minimum mortgage payments. The plan was to subdivide and build a second dwelling on the property within the next decade.
New Development: A career move necessitates relocation, and I’m eyeing a property worth $800,000 in the new area.
Goal: I’d like to retain my first property as a rental. I believe the rental income will sufficiently cover the mortgage, even post-February 2025 when interest rates are anticipated to increase.
Financials: I’ve estimated about $200k in usable equity from my current home, which could serve as a deposit for the new property. If I can manage a $600k mortgage (factoring in the $200k deposit), I should be able to secure the new home while retaining the old one.
Seeking Guidance On:

1. Transition Timing: When is the ideal time to switch from owner-occupier to IP status, especially considering the fixed interest period?
2. Feasibility: Is retaining the current property while acquiring a new one a viable option?
3. Timing for Pre-Approval: Should I seek pre-approval before or after my fixed interest period concludes?
4. Professional Advice: Would it be more advantageous to discuss this with a broker or directly with my bank?
5. Property Improvements: Is it better to upgrade my current home (repairs/improvements) before or after converting it to an investment property (IP)?
6. Tax Implications: Post-transition, would holding ‘bad’ debt lead to more deductible expenses and the possibility of negative gearing?
7. Expert Consultation: For comprehensive financial advice, should I consult a financial planner, an accountant, or a mortgage broker?
8. Additional Income Consideration: If I plan to lease out a room in the new house, will potential rental income be factored into my loan serviceability by the bank?

Additional Queries: Have I overlooked any critical aspects in my plan? Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Gave clat 2024 and got an air of 424x and obc 54x. I have not been allotted any nlu till the 3rd list. Maybe i can get t3 nlus. Didn’t give olets except mhcet which is on 30th may. Don’t have any high hopes for mhcet also. So here are my some queries. 1. Is there a possibility of me getting bscllb in nliu or nujs in vacancy and more importantly will there be vacancies like last year because it seems pretty bleak to me. 2. What do you think of du 5 year law ? Should I prefer it over t3 nlus ? Will i get into du? 3. Is a drop year advisable in this case. Will i be fine if a graduate from du instead of a tier 1 nlu?

Hello,
I am having a heck of a time figuring out my conversion options (term whole) for my current Transamerica Super Trendsetter 15-Year Level Term Plan, and any help about what the boilerplate in this specific plan says would be appreciated. My goal is to convert it as close to the end of the convertibility period as is safely possible, in order to pay the lower term premium while I can, without triggering the need for another medical check-up/physical.
I asked my agent about convertibility and he said that they are typically convertible for 5 years after being written. I wanted to be sure so I called Transamerica and the rep said it's convertible for the whole 15-year term. With this discrepancy, I asked how to request a copy of my policy be emailed to me, since I couldn't find it in the customer portal. Prior to building a relationship with a "real life" agent, I originally bought it online through an online 3rd party broker (PolicyGenius) and never received a physical copy -- I'm a pack rat with vital records, auto/home records, etc.! I requested my policy online and they sent me a confirmation of insurance. Not good! Then I called and they sent me a form that I either needed to fax or mail in with a $25 check. I initially faxed the form in a couple months ago... nothing! Then I mailed it with a physical check about a month ago... nothing again!
So here I am, trying to figure out what my options are because I do *NOT* want to miss my window to convert without a health update, due to certain changes in my health.
Here are some relevant details from my Transamerica portal... Thank you for any help! I'm getting confused/frustrated by the inconsistent answers I'm receiving and the lack of responsiveness from Transamerica.
Policy Information
Policy Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Policy Type:
TERM LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
Product Name:
SUPER TRENDSETTER 15 YR LEVEL
Policy Date:
AUG 04 2020
Financial Details
Face Amount:
$500,000.00
Paid To Date:
AUG 04 2024
Premiums/Billing
Last Premium Deposit Date:
AUG 14 2023
Annual Premium (next 12 months):
$220.00
Modal Premium Amount:
$220.00
Payment Frequency:
ANNUALLY
Payment Method:
DIRECT BILLING
Coverage Information
Information As Of:
MAY 15 2024
Policy Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Policy Type:
TERM LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
Kind Code:
N/A
Plan Code:
TD549B
Product Name:
SUPER TRENDSETTER 15 YR LEVEL
Risk Class:
PREFERRED PLUS NON-SMOKER
Face Amount:
$500,000.00
Policy Fee:
$30.00
Issue Date:
JUL 27 2020
Status:
INFORCE PREM PAYING

I’m 24F, 5’6 and 150lb. Although I have 37% body fat so I look like a lot more. I’ve always been at this weight since 14 even with yo-yo dieting fluctuations. I was anorexic a few years ago and dropped down to 130, lowest I’ve ever been. Fixed my mental health issues, but I just can’t lose the weight in a healthy way.
My body comp analysis says years of restrictive eating has put my BMR at 1100. The recommended deficit for me to lose weight is 1300 calories a day. I just can’t so I’ve been trying to stick to 1500, tend to land at 1600 with a lot of difficulty.
I work out 6 days a week, 45 mins of cardio (spinning or run a 5k in 45), and do 45 mins of strength training. For my mental health, not calories. I don’t eat back calories to avoid going over limit.
I learned about nutrition. I love fruits and veg but was then still consuming too many carbs for my blood sugar so cut most apart from leafy greens + 1 banana a day. I try to eat clean keto. So now I eat 120g protein a day, 100g fat, 15g fibre, and under 40g carbs. I try to start my day with 30g of protein for fullness. I add fat for satiety. No matter what, I’m just fucking hungry every hour after eating. And the food noise takes over my life. I tried volume eating, but it made it worse, so I’ve been trying to adjust to smaller frequent meals.
I’ve been doing this for 2 months consistently, and no change. I’ve committed to continuing no matter how long it takes, it’s just affecting my mental health that nothing changes. I guess I might be recomping. Yes I’m tracking every calorie correctly, I eat 100 under to account for mistakes (+ some additional leftover from workout). I have just 20lbs to lose but I feel like my whole life has been a battle I’ve lost against it. Fad diets, crazy workout regimes, even the healthy way. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I was my happiest at my skinniest because I just felt comfortable in my skin - but I care about my longevity and gut and I know such restrictive eating will harm that.
I just can’t see how I could eat less to get to my goal weight, let alone sustain it. 1500 is hard and miserable but I get through it with distractions and 0cal energy gels for my workouts. Eating less triggers bingeing for me. I just want something sustainable and healthy and don’t know what else to do. I feel like there’s something wrong with me.
TL;DR: I eat high protein, high fat, drink 2l of water, an electrolyte mix, yet I’m still hungry all the time. I don’t know what else I could possibly do to curb my appetite so I can go lower and lose weight. What am I missing? I’m desperate.

Hello,
Today i finally succeed to beat Ethernatos on my Phone (apk pokerogue offline) in a Classic run but there is a freeze at the end of the fight and i can't do anything. I try to wait several minutes but no change. So i retry the fight and have the same problem every time (5 ou 6 retry). I think it's because i play on smartphone ans it's not enough powerfull to end the battle but i'm not sure about that (i cant's succeed to defeat Eternathos on m'y laptop so i Don't know..) Does anyone have got the same problem and if yes, do you know how to solve it ? Unstead, do you know if it's possible to transfer this run on my account ? Because you can export our data in the offline version but i Don't know if i can transfer my data from the offline version to the online one
(sorry for my english..)

I wanted to share a thought experiment that helped me explain the idea of why the belief in empiricism alone is flawed.

1. We’ve created relatively lifelike simulations in games already, imagine we fast forward 200 years and virtual worlds resemble our world, and mimic all of our laws of physics with precision.
   
2. Now imagine there is an AI in this game world. It’s has a body and is a character, the AI is its consciousness. When the AI looks around at his world, everything seems just as real as when we look around our world - with all the laws of physics being replicated down to the quantum realm.
   
3. Now imagine the AI is incredibly smart and quickly notices that the laws of physics of his game world started to emerge at a single point in the distant past, and the fundamental building blocks of his reality is binary code (the Zeros and Ones that make up reality).
   
4. Confident, the AI uses empiricism to explain its own emergence via evolution, and follows the equations of its physical world to determine that time itself began with the binary. He concludes that it doesn’t make sense to ask about a time before the binary because time started with the binary and the binary code must have always existed.
   
5. Further, even though he notes its highly unlikely that the binary code could have ended up in the precise configuration it is to give rise to his laws of physics, he theorisez that an infinite number of permutations of the binary code are possible so there is a multiverse, so of course he must expect to arise in one of the few universes that could give rise to him: the anthropic principle.
   
6. The AI becomes comfortable in his deductions, feels that he can explain his existence, and is arrogant in his assertion that nothing exists outside of what he can empirically test and his reality is the only and therefore the ultimate reality that always existed.
   

Now imagine that you are that AI, that this world is the simulation, and that God is the ultimate reality that we deny because of our cute logical deductions.
The truth is the AI could not test for our existence from within his reality because he is confined to his physical reality, there is nothing of our reality in his reality for him to test. His expectation of using empiricism to search for the ultimate reality is flawed.
A priori - if he was less arrogant he could have deduced that the binary is not a self-sufficient cause - why does it exist instead of nothingness. He could have further concluded that his reality may be an illusion, a simulation. He could have finally concluded that there must be an eternal, self-sufficient, self-explanatory ultimate reality that gives all reality its presence. He could have believed in God.
I bring up this example to make you question your comfort in denying the existence of an ultimate reality due to lack of physical evidence within our reality - it’s an illogical expectation. The only way we can learn something more about the ultimate reality beyond what we have logically deduced a priori, is if the ultimate reality communicated with us and told us - therefore demonstrating the need for revelation.
If you are in doubt about God, or have questions or a response to this, I’d love to hear from you and can drive this argument further. (It’s far more detailed than the above, this is the cliff notes version).

Hi everyone,
Just a quick question for the community that is better versed in these things than I am.
So I have been using stremio on my firestick 4k max 2nd gen in combination with RD and torrentio, plus a couple other backup addons and it has been amazing.
Now my question is: Is there a way to set up an external HDD with the firestick that auto stores watched content on it? So I don't have to sit down at my pc and download it.
I want to basically build a content library the lazy way by just downloading what I watch with minimal effort.
Is this possible or is there another way to do this?
Any advice is appreciated. :)

I have a 5 year integrated masters in the uk in CS
I then have 3 years work experience as a software engineer post graduation
I kind of don’t like software engineering that much because I feel I am spending lots of time on high level problems, looking at stack overflow, fixing errors, always feel im blocked, it doesnt feel theoretical which I like, while I like leetcodes I don’t feel any resemblance of it, i dont think I am doing well and feel unmotivated by work and on a low pay.
When I looked back at uni, my favourite courses were Parallel Architectures which is stuff on cache coherence and cpu architecture, i found that very fun. I really liked the assembly coursework, I really liked computation and logic which was my masters project. I also like C and I found playing with Arduinos pretty fun. My whole life I loved maths, logical thinking and problem solving.
Only thing is I am 3 years out of uni and feel I cant change fields unless i do a masters
I also want to make as much money as possible, the us seems like the place to be to earn that and also doing something i enjoy would help too.
I have an offer from USc which is in LA to study MS Computer Engineering and I have till tonight to pay the deposit, should I?
An alternative would be Ai, ML, quant stuff but no idea if ill get into those fields
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