So ... I was a bit late to finishing the books, and then when I started looking up fan discussions on here, I was pretty surprised to see so little speculation about Brienne's future as a major hero of ASOIAF. It seems to me that GRRM has been hanging all kinds of hints on her without explicitly calling attention to them, kind of like how there are zillions of clues about the Red Wedding that become more obvious on re-read.
Here is (probably) a not even comprehensive list of interesting plot details about Brienne of Tarth:

• Brienne is set to inherit the title of Evenstar, which is an allusion to a very heroic character from LOTR
• She wields a fiery red sword made from Ice
• Bloodraven or Bran or someone weirwood-related seems to want her to wield this sword, judging first by Jaime's ASoS weirwood dream (which encouraged him to give her a sword) and second by Brienne's (very likely) weirwood dream sequence at the end of AFfC (in which she kept being reminded that she needed her sword, right before her "sword or noose" confrontation with Stoneheart)
• Brienne and her sword have already been compared in the text to another legendary hero, Galladon of Morne
• Brienne is one of very few "true knights" in the series, of course with the irony that she isn't a knight at all. But this isn't a minor point -- a major theme of ASOIAF is whether and when violence can be justified, and the deconstruction of chivalry plays a central role in exploring this theme. Brienne, as a warrior whom the story has so far presented as righteous, therefore occupies an honestly very unusual place in the narrative.
• There are many obvious allusions to Brienne in the Dunk and Egg novella series -- to an almost ridiculous degree, with of course the cherry on top being that Dunk is Brienne's ancestor. I wondered for a while why GRRM was motivated to write this spinoff series -- like of all the topics he could've written about, why focus on these characters, and this time period -- and it struck me that the main-series characters who are most closely connected with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are Bran (via Bloodraven) and Brienne (parallel to Dunk). And the novella series grapples with a lot of the same themes about chivalry and honor and knighthood that Brienne's own POV chapters do. If I had to choose a single POV whose chapters are most in conversation with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it's Brienne, easily.
• The weirwoods have shown a major POV character a vision of Brienne wielding a burning sword against ice zombies (and the fire in Brienne's sword does not go out).
• ASOIAF is a series about duality (it's in the title) and it's interesting that Brienne's whole shtick as a character is that she is constantly faced with either-or choices and chooses both. She is loyal to both a Stark and a Lannister; exhibits both conventionally masculine and feminine traits; is honorable and idealistic, but is also learning more about the world and developing a more complex moral code. You can see this duality in the two uses of Oathkeeper in AFfC, in which the first use represents a loss of innocence, like the death of chivalry, while the second use is a rejection of nihilism. Also notice how Brienne, who has been trusted by both Starks and Lannisters to carry out conciliatory missions, is faced with enemies and foils who, like her, ride on both sides of this divide (Bloody Mummers, the Hound), but whose nihilistic opportunism is contrasted with Brienne's sincerity.
• Brienne is also a foil to literally everyone -- Sansa in the first half of AFfC, Arya in the second half of AFfC, Jaime in ASoS, but also, as noted by Jaime, to Tyrion; to Samwell Tarly as made obvious by her many interactions with Randyll in AFfC; and to Cersei obviously; and maybe most interestingly and most overtly, to Sandor throughout AFfC.

I honestly don't know what the endgame plan is for this series with respect to the Others and Daenerys and Euron and Bran etc, or what kind of heroism is in store for Brienne. But it is really strange to me that so many really important themes for the series are explored with her character, and a not-insignificant number of fire-ice imagery is associated with her, and yet she still plays so small a role in fan conjectures about where all of this is headed.
All I can say is, if I had to bet on the plans of an author who likes to surprise us and deconstruct and reconstruct common fantasy tropes, but who also still drops a lot of hints about his intentions (a la Red Wedding), my money would be on Brienne and probably also Sam to do some heroic shenanigans in the endgame.

We are finishing our basement, and the framing is up. Planning on using HomePods for audio/voice control, Ecobee thermostat, and Lutron Caseta switches for lights.
Are there any other things I should consider pre-wiring before the drywall goes up? Most of whatever else I want to add is wireless, I think. Just wondering if anyone else super regretted not wiring for something?

I’m 24 years old just finishing off my first year. I’m required to work for a Title I school for 4 years minimum or pay back my scholarships. I think I’ll give it another 4-5 years before I start transitioning to a new career.
Although the job has been stressful, I do enjoy working with the kids and I feel much more confident about giving it a couple more years and learning as much as I can in the process.
So here’s where I am with retirement, which I don’t understand much about if I’m being honest. I contacted HR and I’m enrolled in CalSTRS, which I should be able to receive benefits from upon retirement with a minimum 5 years of service I think.
They also told me they offer a voluntary 403 (b) and 457(b) plan which I’m trying to research but I’m left with more questions than answers. This is all very confusing.
I plan to stop teaching after about 4-5 more years because I don’t think this job is family friendly. Yes we get summers off, but we don’t get paid summers off, and many teachers have to work. We don’t get enough prep time for all the work we have to do and work often gets brought home. I know my work life balance will get better with experience but I see teachers at my school who live and breathe for this job sacrificing time with their spouses and children in the process. They’re all stressed out of their minds every day and I don’t want that for me.
To those who have had experience with a 403 (b) and 457(b) plan, is it worth for me to invest in either one or both given that I don’t plan to teach for the rest of my life?

Currently I'm someone in the trades who works in the service industry in a small metro area.
Let me tell you this the boomers have not just kicked down the ladder but also set it on fire in the residential service trade, partly in the commercial space, and maybe barely in the mechanical side of things.
Example? One of my bosses since the 70's Said his starting wage in 1970 was $8.6/hr for residential service work in his first year being a journeyman. Adjusted for inflation its $57.47 his first year a journeyman plumber. Working 60 hours a week in residential service.
What happens though as time goes on though is as these guys get old, they can't do plumbing or ac anymore. Then they get promoted to management, oh no someone has to pay their salaries though, they up prices. Oh, wait though the customer does not want to pay that price, and because of the laws of supply and demand they bring in more revenue by actually reducing prices, but they do not want to make less so they take money from the techs.
This cycle happens over and over again, it gets to the point where I'm at. 7 technicians, and 4 managers. Average labor for a residential service company in a major metro with a lot of overhead? $300-$400/hr for residential service work whether it be ac, heating, plumbing, or electrical. Parts back then used to be 40-60% the value of the ticket. Now the median is like 10% the value of a ticket to a max of 30%.
They would rather spend $8,000 to bring in a sales trainer to train a bunch of people to sell a $1,500 kitchen sink faucet to an old, retired couple than themselves retire; They can't though, they blew through all their cash and did not save it or just want to work forever.

Hi, I have a friend that for unforeseen horrible circumstances will most likely be unable to physically attend commencement this week. I was just wondering if anyone knows if they’d be able to walk at the August or December commencement instead, since they’re devastated to miss their own grad date.
I plan to call grad services tomorrow morning, I just couldn’t wait and wanted to post here. Thanks.

I've been the secretary of the service unit for the last three years. The only other officer is the manager, who is a complete mess. I'm tired of having to remind her multiple times that I need an agenda to send out. I started not reminding her, just to see what would happen . . . lots of meetings cancelled the day they were supposed to happen. I honestly wonder if she is beginning to suffer from dementia.
Every meeting was, "Oh, the treasurer didn't show up again. We'll get a report next month." "Oh, we don't have anyone to plan World Thinking Day. We'll do that next year." "Oh, I have the cashier's check in my purse. I'll deposit that next week."
I volunteered for what I could, but really my strength is in writing. I have health issues so taking on more than that isn't in the cards. It was just so frustrating to watch things fall apart and have people associate it with me (as the person sending the emails).
So I'm done. If they get their act together, I'll attend meetings when I can.
Likewise, our Council seems to be struggling. No one is really overseeing the leaders (I guess that's what the SU is supposed to do). They rarely offer the trainings we need. They don't get the yearly programming out until October. We seem to have fewer options for Council-run events, which cost more, than neighboring Councils. If I hadn't been a teacher, I think I'd be totally confused about how to put together a meeting plan because goodness knows the half an hour that someone from council spoke to me in a Starbucks did not teach me.
So anyway, this is just a vent. It's frustrating. And the Service Unit is a poor use of my time. It causes me stress and provides almost no benefit to anyone. I wanted to be the change and all that, but it's beyond me.
In happier news, I had a good meeting (working on the Amaze journey) with my 6th graders today. They did skits on how to resolve conflicts (after doing funny "how not to" skits) and had a long conversation about technology addiction and self-image. I feel energized to plan fun things for next school year. And we go to Savannah in a few weeks!
I feel a weight lifted now that I'm not trying to bail out a sinking ship with the service unit.

Recently, I was rejected from my top choice of university program. The program I was interested in is considered a "one-way ticket" to medical school (my country doesn't have traditional pre-med programs, but this program is the only one that consistently sends a large amount of students to medical school). I feel like the rejection has left me questioning my entire future and what Allah has planned for me. I try my best to keep faith in Him, but in moments like these, I can't help but feel hopeless. My entire life has been trying to become a doctor. I can't imagine myself in another field. So in being rejected, I don't know whether I should interpret this as a sign from Allah that becoming a doctor isn't for me, or that I will just need to work harder to become a doctor.
I find myself comparing myself to a friend I have. Masha'Allah, she is one of the smartest, most hardworking, and faithful girls I know, and I do not wish her any ill intent when I say this. But I look at her (she consistently is at the top of my class, she is Valedictorian, she is the only person I know who got accepted to my top program) and question if I am meant to be a doctor, because the amount of faith she has in Allah is beautiful and it seems that Allah has only ever pointed her in the direction of becoming a doctor. I obviously don't know her personal situation, but it has always seemed like she's been given clear guidance as to what she is supposed to do for her future. Whereas in my situation, especially after my rejection, I don't know whether that is the case. And what hurts even more is seeing someone get to live out the one thing you've prayed for your entire life.
To summarize, I guess I am just confused and a little frustrated. If being a doctor is not meant for me, why has Allah allowed me to dream about it, to yearn for it, as much as I have? Or am I being too dramatic in assuming that one rejection has dictated that I won't ever become a doctor. I've interpreted it that way because I've instilled it in myself that this university decision would be a major sign from Allah.
This was mostly to vent, but I suppose I'm not sure where I am sitting in regards to my faith or what my future is meant to be.

Hey everyone. I've been dabbling with Linux for a long while (started with Mandrake way back when)...with full installs, dual booting, experimented with different distros, etc. But now I need help with something:
I own a 2014 MBP. This thing has been rock solid since I bought it brand new. Had the battery replaced, swapped the original internal SSD with a bigger one (used to be 250 GB, now 1 TB. Still going strong). However, the absolute last version of MacOS it'll take without tinkering is Big Sur. Now that this version has been officially out of support, it's only a matter of time before the apps I use on the regular will stop getting security updates (planned obsolescence, I know it sucks, but that's how the cookie crumbles I guess). The other day I got the idea of dual booting the machine and putting Kubuntu on it. I chose this distro because I'm very familiar with the Ubuntu family since the beginning, and I prefer a KDE-style UI where I can get up and running quickly. Mind you, my days of experimenting with Linux have dwindled, and now I just want an environment where I can get work done. Most of my tasks are:

• Web surfing (Reddit, YouTube, eBay, Amazon, etc)
• LibreOffice for editing documents
• VLC for watching videos
• Networking tools in case I need to troubleshoot (Wireshark, FileZilla, Angry IP scanner, etc)
• VPN utility for masking my IP in case I need to
• Terminal
• Thunderbird and FireFox
• And one of the most crucial, an RDP client capable of managing multiple remote connections to the Windows family simultaneously.

Now, even though the OS is retired, everything works perfectly fine. My question is, should I go ahead with it? Or should I just hunker down and keep using it as it is? Since I'm still not 100% there, I need at least some reassurance to get it set up and gradually migrate my data to Linux, eventually replacing Big Sur completely.
Thanks in advance for any feedback. It's much appreciated.

I work as an independent contractor for a US based startup. It is a software developer role, so "export of service". No domestic transaction, the whole income is from export of service.
For FY 24-25, my income will cross 20L. So I'm planning to register for GST and file LUT.
Few questions:

1. Should I do it myself or involve a CA? I read it at multiple places that the process is simple enough to do it myself. If I involve a CA, what should be a genuine charge range for this.
   
2. After registration what details should I include in my invoice apart from GSTN.
   
3. Since I have already received one month salary for FY 24-25, but I will register for GST now, do I need to do something special here? -- The law mentions to register for GST before you do such transactions.
   

Chapter Two - Part One
Second Half
__________________
Beginning of Entry…
StarDate: Redacted
Perspective: Major Commander Michael Irons
Species: Human, Humanoid Mammalian Species, no tail.
Description: 5 feet 2 inches [1.6 meters] to 6 feet 9 inches [2.1 meters] average height. 185 lbs [84 kilograms] average weight.
Longevity: 70 to 500-year life expectancy with life extension medical tech.
Unique Trait: Resilience and Indomitable Will.
Place: New Paris (Capital City)
Location: New Eden Prime
In the early hours, as the dawn cast a pallid light over New Eden Prime, the situation unfolded with urgent clarity. Major Commander Michael Irons, alongside Captain Adam Richter, adjusted his Raider armor, his eyes scanning the horizon where the silhouettes of enemy ships began to materialize. Both men were seasoned veterans, their faces etched with the lines of many battles, their demeanor calm yet alert. They awaited instructions as they stood amid the bustling rally point filled with soldiers and militia.
Their focus shifted as Colonel Nick Estrada approached, his imposing figure cutting through the morning mist, the tension palpable in the air. The urgency of the situation had drawn commanders and soldiers alike, all responding to the blare of alarms that had roused the colony from sleep and into action. Colonel Nick Estrada approached, his presence commanding immediate attention. His frame was not just physically imposing but carried the authority of a man who had seen countless skirmishes and emerged victorious. The commanders snapped to attention, though the informality of the crisis allowed for a quicker exchange.
Colonel Estrada, known for his strategic acumen, surveyed the gathered officers before speaking. "Gentlemen," he began, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Major Commander Irons, Captain Richter, the enemy fleet is now visible. We're seeing a full spectrum—we're up against a formidable enemy. Reconnaissance has identified a significant fleet composition—strike craft, corvettes, frigates, and troop transports. They're not just probing our defenses; they're here for a full-scale invasion."
Major Commander Irons nodded solemnly, absorbing the gravity of the situation. The enemy's intentions were clear: to overwhelm and conquer. "Do we have any intel on their motivations, sir?" he asked, his mind racing through potential strategies.
Estrada's eyes narrowed as he reviewed the latest data on his tactical pad. "Current assessments suggest their primary objective could be resource acquisition or territory expansion. Given the organized nature of their fleet, we can't rule out the possibility of them establishing a forward operating base," he explained, his finger tracing possible invasion routes on the holographic display before them.
Irons' jaw tightened at the assessment. "Have we identified their point of origin or any specific markings that could tell us who we're dealing with?" he asked, his mind racing through the catalog of known hostile factions and their usual tactics.
Captain Richter, ever the tactician, chimed in, "If we can disrupt their landing operations and take out their troop transports, we might slow their advance and buy us some time to fortify positions."
"Not yet," Estrada replied, turning to gaze at the display screen that showed the advancing ships. "Their configurations are unfamiliar, which suggests they're not from any known hostile group within our usual conflict zones. This could be a new player or a proxy force from a rival colony. But it's clear they want New Eden, as the orbital forces were obliterated in minutes."
Estrada, after careful consideration, turned to face the digital map highlighting strategic points around the colony. 'That's a start, but we need a comprehensive plan,' he declared. 'Irons, your units will be crucial in the eastern sector, where their fleet appears most concentrated. Richter, your teams will be our shield in the orbital defenses; we cannot allow them to establish a foothold there."
Richter chimed in, his voice steady despite the escalating tension. "We need to assess their capabilities and intentions quickly. Are they aiming for strategic locations, or is this an outright attempt to overwhelm and occupy?"
Estrada nodded, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. "Our immediate objective is to hold them at bay and protect civilian areas. I've already ordered evacuations where necessary. Irons, I need your units to fortify the eastern sector. It's closest to their projected landing sites."
"And I'll take the western approach," Richter added quickly. "It has fewer natural barriers, so I'll set up mobile defenses there."
Estrada approved with a brisk nod. "Good. I'll coordinate the orbital defenses to cover your flanks. We can't let them gain a foothold. Whatever their motive, it ends here."
The officers acknowledged their orders, understanding the critical nature of their tasks. Estrada continued. "We'll use the tram system for rapid redeployment. Keep your communications lines open, and expect dynamic orders. We need to be as adaptable as they are aggressive."
As the meeting drew to a close, Major Commander Irons felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. The survival of New Eden Prime hinged not only on their military prowess but also on their ability to outmaneuver an enemy whose capabilities remained largely shrouded in mystery.
With a final nod from Estrada, Irons and Richter dispersed to relay orders to execute their assignments; Irons felt the weight of the imminent conflict pressing down. Each step they took was heavy with the resolve to protect their home, knowing the enemy loomed just beyond the horizon, ready to test the mettle of New Eden's defenders. This wasn't just another border skirmish or a pirate raid. The scale of the invasion suggested a well-planned offensive by a formidable enemy.
Returning to his command post, Irons pulled up the tactical displays, which showed live feeds from drones and satellites tracking the enemy's advance. Each ship was marked in red and moved steadily towards New Eden's defensive perimeter.
"Let's show them what New Eden is made of," he muttered to himself, a mix of resolve and anticipation coursing through his veins.
This was his colony, his home, where his family and millions of others lived and dreamed of a peaceful future among the stars. Today, the peace and survival of the colony depended on his actions and those of his comrades.
As the first enemy ships entered range, Irons gave the order. "All units, engage at will. Prioritize frigates and anything making landfall. We hold the line, no matter what."
Back at the rally point, as shells began to crisscross the morning sky and the first explosions blossomed in the distance, Estrada and Richter coordinated their sectors' defenses, adjusting to the flow of battle. Each report, each burst of static on the comms, added to the day's growing chorus—a chorus filled with the sounds of a colony defending its very existence.
Above them, the sky turned from morning gray to the dark of smoke and fire, the battle for New Eden truly underway. As the alien forces made their ground assault on New Paris, Major Commander Michael Irons quickly marshaled his defensive strategies. The invaders had exploited a slight weakness at the equator of the planet's shield, where the northern and southern fields met, allowing a fraction of their invasion force to penetrate. This strategic breach had permitted several enemy corvettes and frigates to support the ground troops as they marched toward the city.
The morning sky, once clear and promising, was now darkened by the presence of enemy ships. Their shadows cast an ominous pall over the city as their engines roared menacingly overhead. Irons, stationed at the command post just on the outskirts of New Paris, observed the advancing enemy through his binoculars, his heart racing with adrenaline and cold determination.
Despite the thinning of their numbers due to the shield's resistance, the invaders pushed forward with relentless determination. Their landing crafts, equipped to penetrate the weakened shield points by slowing their descent, deployed troops directly into the fray. This strategic insertion allowed them to bypass the stronger defenses and land a significant force just outside the protective barrier of New Paris.
Irons, stationed at the command post, monitored the unfolding chaos through live drone feeds. The images displayed a grim tableau: columns of alien soldiers advancing toward the city, their movements methodical and unhurried, supported by the ominous silhouettes of their air support. The enemy's tactical acumen was evident in every maneuver, challenging the defenders of New Eden to adapt swiftly.
"Prepare all air defense units and activate the aerial defense batteries," Irons commanded into the comm, his voice steady despite the escalating threat. The air around him buzzed with the hurried movements of soldiers and the crackling of radio communications. The colony's air defense force, though robust, was significantly outnumbered without the support of their orbital fleet, which had been decimated in earlier skirmishes. "Target their air support first. We cut off the head, and the body will falter."
Acknowledgments crackled through his earpiece as his orders were relayed down the chain of command. New Eden's air defense force, though robust, was not designed for such a multifaceted assault. The absence of fleet support from orbit, a disadvantage painfully felt by every soldier on the ground, meant that each shot from the aerial defense batteries had to count.
On the battlefield, the sounds of warfare escalated. Explosions rippled across the early morning sky, painting it with streaks of fire as the colony's defenses engaged the invading air units. Irons watched as each successful strike brought down an enemy craft, each plummeting vessel a small victory in the shadow of an overwhelming threat.
Yet, even as they held the line against the aerial assault, the ground forces braced for the inevitable confrontation. The alien troops, undeterred by the resistance from above, continued their steady march towards New Paris. Their ranks, though reduced, remained formidable—a sea of figures clad in armor that glinted under the rising sun, their weapons poised for battle.
"The shields are holding, but we can't let them gain any more ground," Irons muttered, analyzing the tactical map that glowed with indicators of enemy movement. The slight gap in the shield at the equator was a glaring risk, one that could not be ignored. "Reroute additional units to the southern sector," he instructed, pointing to the area where the shield's weakness was most pronounced. "Fortify our positions there. I don't want a single invader breaking through."
His focus then shifted to the city's defenses. New Paris, a symbol of human resilience and ingenuity on the frontier, was fortified with multiple layers of defenses designed to repel invaders and protect its citizens. But today, those defenses would face their greatest test.
"We're on our own," Irons acknowledged, his gaze sweeping across the room filled with operators and strategists. "Every soldier, every pilot—we're what stands between them and the city. We hold them here, at the edge, before they can reach the heart of our home."
As the enemy's ground forces drew closer, the clash became imminent. Irons could see the front lines through the drones—human soldiers taking positions, their bodies tense with anticipation, their weapons trained on the approaching threat. The air crackled with the energy of impending combat, a mixture of fear, determination, and the indomitable will to protect their planet.
"Engage at maximum range," Irons commanded. "Use the terrain to our advantage. Make them come to us through the kill zones."
The enemy's corvettes and frigates hovered menacingly, coordinating the ground troops as they continued their relentless march toward the city's defenses. Irons could see the troops adjusting their formations and a tactical maneuver meant to optimize their approach under cover of their aerial support.
"Focus fire on those corvettes flanking to the east," Irons directed, pointing to the screens displaying satellite imagery. The operators quickly relayed his commands, adjusting the colony's firepower towards the threatening vessels.
Despite the heavy onslaught, the morale among Irons' men was resolute. They were well-trained and prepared to defend their home against all odds. The sound of anti-aircraft fire filled the air, a relentless symphony of defiance against the invading forces. Explosions lit up the morning sky as some of the enemy crafts took hits, their debris raining down and igniting small fires upon the rugged terrain of New Eden Prime.
Irons turned his attention back to the ground troops, noting the enemy's attempt to regroup after each barrage. "They're testing our defenses, looking for weak points. Make sure all sectors are covered and reinforce any undermanned positions," he instructed his lieutenants.
The battle was fierce, with every moment critical. The enemy's numerical advantage was evident, but the defenders of New Paris were determined to make every shot count. The city's aerial defense batteries worked in overdrive, targeting the enemy's air support in an attempt to level the playing field. The city's shield generators protected the city from any aerial bombardment from the frigates. Only the ground forces were a threat as long as the city's shield generators held, but with every strike from those frigates, the shield became weaker.
As the enemy advanced, a sudden and intense firefight erupted at the southern barricade. Irons watched through surveillance feeds as his troops engaged the enemy, their laser rifles cutting through the morning mist. The ground shook with the impact of heavy artillery, a relentless exchange that tested the resolve of every soldier under his command.
"Keep the pressure on! Push them back!" Irons shouted over the radio, his voice a beacon of command amidst the chaos. The troops responded with renewed vigor, their shouts and gunfire merging into the cacophony of battle.
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I bought a 22' pontoon with a 2012 90hp Merc 4S and I went to service it recently. There is a broken bolt by the previous owner, bottom right of the T stat housing. The boat ran fine and I never noticed it. Not sure if it leaked or not as I didnt check... I just ran the motor with muffs for a few mins before I bought it. Fires on first crank and purrs like a kitten.
https://imgur.com/YgcySsG
The one on the upper left had blue loctite. I think the lower one must have had red + thread damage, or something.
No service history so I ordered the 300 hour rebuild kit and changed the impeller + all the gaskets, plugs, etc. It included a new T stat which I went to install, and then I noticed this.
The T stat does not have a gasket, but instead a rubber ring on the inside of it where it pops into the block.
Looks like this https://d3365vf2odvlwg.cloudfront.net/Bildeassets/REC892864T06.jpg
This broken bolt is right behind the starter and it would be a bear to try to extract... I welded a few nuts on it but that did not work either. Even had a buddy who is welding certified try with his 208V machine and no go. Tried heating it with a torch also. Liquid wrench. Nope. That bolt is STUCK. The only option would be to remove the starter, drill it out, and tap/helicoil.
I have no experience with outboards. I would think the water cooling system is pretty low pressure. What do you think the odds are it will seal with "Right Stuff" gasket maker (cleaned beforehand, for good measure) and just relying on the upper left bolt to secure the T stat? I ran the motor for about 5 mins with a hose + muffs and the tell-tail output looks great. No apparent leaks at all.
https://imgur.com/gDpISyY
But I've read you should only run them that way for 5 mins or so, so no long term testing until she is on the water.
Thoughts? I dont want to get stranded but I dont want to spend $1k on a boat mechanic if its a non issue.

After recently changing from a carer payment to jobseeker ( marriage separation) I had an initial interview with Centrelink in December and due to health concerns they gave me a six month exemption from mutual obligations. Im 63 years old and separated. That six months is up and I had a second phone interview with Centrelink last Sunday for a Service Assessment to discuss the future, I explained my health problems ( both mental and physical health) and they assessed that I had a reduced capacity to under 8 hours. So another six months exemption was granted and I was given the advice to collect as much medical information (hard copy) as I could. So today I received both a task and a letter to say I have another appointment in a week to discuss mutual obligations due to my reduced capacity. I’m feeling confused when they say I have an exemption from mutual obligations but then I have mutual obligations to discuss job plan. Can anyone throw some light on this.

I accidentally posted this to my username instead of my subreddit so here is is:
The Mortgage, Part 3
“Fuck,” I said as I drove to work in the old beater that only started on the fourth try because it could tell that I was pissed off. Ray’s case started at two o’clock, and I was heading to the office to get ready. “Fuck fuck fuckity fucking fuck. Fuck.” I’d wanted to tell Angela about Ray’s case, and how I was sorry that I hadn’t wanted to help him, but now I would, I would help him, and I would win, but then I’d gotten her all riled up on something else, something totally different, something way more serious.
My wife had given me a triple ultimatum: fix things up with her father, save idiot Ray from Sy-Co Corp., and somehow find a downpayment for the place she wanted to buy, in the little townhouse infill project in Bixity. It was like demanding I do a double bank shot, and then run over to the baseball diamond and hit a home run after first pointing to where it would land, Babe Ruth style.
Angela was mad at me, seriously mad. She’d slipped out that morning before I was even awake, sliding quietly past me on the couch. I didn’t realize she was gone until I heard the faint click of the front door closing. I jumped up, tripped over a blanket, and by the time I got up and my robe on, the elevator down the hall dinged, and Angela was gone before I opened the apartment door.
I swore at myself some more and pounded the steering wheel, “I fucked up,” I said, several times as I hit the wheel over and over again, until I accidentally honked it, and then looked all sheepish when the guy in front of me gave me the finger. I reached my office without further incident, but instead of walking in the front door, I went further down the hall, and into the office of Mark Cecil-Rowe, Barrister, LL.D, the man with the finest speaking voice I ever heard. When I entered his office I forgot for a minute about Angela and her father and sleeping on the couch the night before. I forget about everything, except the reason that I had come to Cecil-Rowe’s office: to stump him with a legal problem that I had solved, but which I was pretty sure he could not. In other words, I had come to preen and to brag and to boast. No one likes a showoff, and I had come to show off. I put my hand on the door and turned the knob. After a brief pause, I flung open the door.
“I’m a goddamn genius,” I said as I strolled into the older man’s office.
I noticed the echo of a hastily closed desk drawer hanging in the air. In Aaron’s office, where I rented space, a sudden act of concealment implied cocaine, but with Cecil-Rowe, the item in question was probably a mickey of vodka. I had the sense that he’d been drinking a bit before I arrived, but his powers of observation were unimpaired, and when he looked into my face, his expression showed sympathy, and actual pain.
“What have you done now?” he said, as set the papers before him to one side, and readied himself to hear my latest tale of legal brilliance.
“I’m a genius,” I said.
“Oh dear. Have a seat.”
“No really, I am. I’m a genius. I got this case that everyone says you can’t win, but I’m gonna win it, and when I do, I’m gonna look like a genius.” Cecil-Rowe gave me a sad indulgent smile.
“Whenever you tell me you’re a genius, I am always concerned about what is to follow. When you get wrapped up in what you call your genius, you tend to ignore the more mundane things we lawyers have to do to win a case. You think you’re going to win by genius alone.”
“Let me tell you why I’m a goddamn genius.” With effort I wiped the smug, self-satisfied expression that was on my face.
“Tell me why you’re a genius,” Cecil-Rowe said, “while I pour us a coffee.” He heaved his bulky body up from his chair and shuffled over to a counter. He picked up a carafe of hot coffee sitting on a hot plate, and poured two cups. “Speak,” he said, handing me one. I took a sip of the coffee, and told Cecil-Rowe the tale of Cousin Ray: his purchase of a franchise from Sy-Co Corp, its swift demise, the crash and burn in Commercial Court, the Minutes of Settlement, the seventy-one kilometer limit, and lastly, Sy-Co’s motion scheduled for two p.m. that very day, seeking an interim injunction shutting down Ray’s place.
Cecil-Rowe absorbed all this without the need to take notes. Instead, he sat back while he eyed me, taking the occasional sip of coffee, and smiling at the extravagant flourishes and details that brought out Ray’s story to full effect.
“Obviously Ray is dead on arrival,” he said, “but I guess this is the part where you tell me how you’re going to win.”
So I told him how I was going to win, but it didn’t have the desired effect. “I told ya I’m a genius, Mr. C,” cueing him to applaud, to admit what a brilliant lawyer I was. But there was no applause from Mark Cecil-Rowe. He looked at me without so much as a smile.
“You can cling to that genius notion as a consolation prize, after you get whipped this afternoon in court.”
“No way,” I said, “not a chance. I got this thing won hands down. I’m gonna kick ass in court today and--”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that, if you don’t have evidence?”
“What?”
“Evidence, Calledinthe9os. It’s what lawyers like me use to beat geniuses like you.”
“But I’m gonna win without proof. I don’t need proof. The argument I’m gonna make, relies on simple facts that are totally obvious, so the judge is gonna--” Cecil-Rowe stuck up his hand.
“Stop right there. I know what’s coming. You’re going to ask the judge to take *judicial notice.”
And he was right. That was exactly what I was going to do.
There are some things so obvious that you didn’t have to prove them, things that everyone knew. You didn’t have to prove that water froze at zero degrees and boiled at a hundred, or that Bixity was between West Bay and East Bay.
“You got it,” I said, “judicial notice all the way.”
“You’re going to tell the judge that the centerpiece of your argument, the lynchpin of your case is a fact known to pretty well everyone, and so you don’t need proof.”
“Exactly,” I said. Cecil-Rowe took another sip of his coffee, and left me hanging in the silence for a while before he spoke.
“If that’s true, then why does coming up with that argument make you a genius?”
“Oh, I said,”I didn’t think of that.”
“It is acceptable to rely on judicial notice for minor, ancillary points. But you never should walk into court thinking that the court will take judicial notice of your entire defence. It’s just too risky.”
“But how am I going to rustle up a witness in time for this afternoon?”
“Worry about that after you leave my office. I can’t help you with that. What I want to know, is why you’re doing this at the last minute.”
“What makes you think I’m doing this at the last minute?”
“Because you never would have resorted to judicial notice if you were properly prepared. If you’d opened this case a bit earlier, you’ve have everything lined up. But you got to work on it late, and so you want to rely on judicial notice. You’ve messed up, Calledinthe90s, and you know what my rule is when you mess up.” Cecil-Rowe didn’t extend aid to me, until I admitted the error of my ways. It was infuriating, but he was inflexible. So I fessed up.
“My idiot cousin Ray’s been trying to retain me for almost two weeks, but I was putting him off because I was mad at him. So now my wife’s mad at me, and if I don’t win this case, I’m dead. Plus her dad’s mad at me too and --” My brain roared into overdrive, a mess of family and law and fear, and at the centre of it, thoughts of Angela’s anger and her father. My mind took off, and then came to an instant halt at a helpful destination.
“Yes?” Cecil-Rowe said.
“Sorry. I just realized how to solve the evidence problem. Look, can I ask you about the thing I actually came here to ask you about?”
“You have a problem that’s worse than having no evidence? What could be worse than -- oh. You don’t have a retainer. Your client doesn't have any money.”
“Exactly. How do I get paid? That’s the problem.” I explained that Ray had no money, as in none, and that if he did have money, he wouldn’t spend it on me. Instead, he’d go back downtown and throw his cash at some big firm, who would take on his case, and proceed to lose it in a calm, careful, sober manner, ending in a reporting letter to Ray telling him that he’d lost.
“Now that’s a problem I can solve,” Cecil-Rowe said.
“Really? ‘Cause I can’t see a way around it. I think I’m gonna have to do this for free, and that really pisses me off.” Cecil-Rowe shook his head.
“You may or may not get paid, but you can set things up so that if you win, you’ll win pretty good.”
“How? Ray’s a deadbeat. Tapped out.”
“But is he desperate?”
“Totally. The first time he failed, he lost his own money, but if he goes under this time, he’s taking family money with him, and he’ll be the black sheep forever.”
“And he’s using family to emotionally blackmail you into helping him?’
“Like no shit. That’s the part that pisses me off the most. I’m like a goddamn slave, being forced to work for free.”
“Never fear, young apprentice. I have just the thing in mind.” He reached into a drawer, and pulled out a form. “Fill in the blanks, and have him sign.”
I looked it over, and saw that the document was a retainer agreement. I whistled. “Holy shit. If he signs this, he’s almost my slave.”
“Close, but not quite” Cecil-Rowe said, “the Latin term for this is "contractus pro venditione animae"”. It’s the ultimate retainer agreement. Once Ray signs that, you own any cause of action he has against the person suing him. You can settle the case on any terms you like, and you get to keep whatever proceeds there are.” Cecil-Rowe placed the folder back in a drawer, and from his manner you could tell that the interview was over.
“Awesome, Mr. C. I’ll call you from Commercial Court when we’re done.”
“Commercial Court?” he said.
“Yeah, Commercial Court.”
“This just keeps getting worse. Take notes, Calledinthe90s, while I school you on Commercial Court. Commercial Court is a jungle, and without preparation, you’ll get savaged.”
“That’s what happened to Ray when--”
“Take notes, young apprentice,” he said, tossing me a pad and a pen. He started to lecture, and I took notes that I have with me to this day, in a safe deposit box downstairs in the vault at Mega Bank Main Branch.
* * *
By the time Cecil-Rowe finished schooling me, it was close to ten, and the case started at two. I didn’t have much time. I ran down the hall to my office, and called Ray’s restaurant. No answer. Then I called Ray’s house. I expected to get Ray’s wife, but the man himself answered.
“You’re not at work. Why aren’t you at work?”
“Sy-Co Corp served all my employees with a cease and desist letter. They all got scared and took off. The place is shut down.”
“You gotta fax machine at home?” He did, and asked why.
“I’m taking your case, but only if you sign the paper I’m about to send and fax it back.” I sent the fax, and five minutes later it came back signed, and it was official: Ray had sold me his legal soul.
I went out to the parking lot, got into my beater and drove fast. In less than thirty minutes I reached my destination. I knocked on the door, and when it opened, my diminutive mother-in-law poked out her head. “What a pleasant surprise,” she said.
“Sorry, Mrs. M, but I’m in a super hurry. I gotta rush to get to court to help Ray. But first, I gotta speak to Dr. M.”
“He’s not here,” she said.
“Not here?”
“He’s on his way to his bridge game. He left just a few minutes ago.”
“Where’s the club?”
“He’s walking there,” she said, and pointed down the street.
“Thanks.” I got into my car and headed where Mrs. M had pointed, passing big houses and new project with an “Opening Soon” sign. And walking past it was the figure of Dr. M.
“Hey, Dr. M,” I called out the window. He stopped and looked around, startled. But he didn’t see me, not at first.
“It’s me, Dr. M. Me, Calledin90s.” He leaned forward as if to see me better. I got out of the car.
“Is something wrong with Angela? Or the baby?”
“No, no not at all, sorry to scare you, it’s nothing like that. I need your help.”
“Oh.” He started walking again, and now it was my turn to be a bit stunned, watching my father-in-law walk away from me. I caught up with him in a few quick strides.
“Listen, I really need your help.”
“And I really need to get to a bridge game.”
“This isn’t about me. It’s about Ray.” That brought him to a halt. He turned to me, angrier even than he’d been the night before.
“Did you drive all the way out here just to make fun of me? To remind me of how you won, distracting me with nonsense about Ray’s case?”
“I mean it,” I said, “I can win Ray’s case. I can prove it in a few words.”
“Prove it, then.” So I did. I spoke words, only a few words, but they were the right words to speak to Dr. M, for the words I spoke were in his language, words that he understood perfectly.
“I understand,” he said, “you’ve come to boast some more, to prove that you were right after all.”
“I want to win Ray’s case, but I don’t have any proof of what I’m saying.”
“You don’t need to prove that two plus two is four.”
“This, I gotta prove, and I need you to help me prove it. I need you to come to court with me, as my witness.”
“I can’t do that. I didn’t witness anything.”
“As my witness. My expert witness.” Unlike a normal witness, an expert witness can give an opinion. An expert is there not to advocate, I explained to Dr. M but to instruct, to teach.
“My bridge partner won’t be very happy,” he said.
“But Ray will, and so will Mrs. M and Angela and--”
“Very well. Do you have a cell phone? We can call the bridge club from my car.”
* * *
We were on the highway getting close to the downtown exit, when my wife called my cell phone. Back then cell phone service was super expensive and my wife only used it for emergencies. Or when she was really angry. I picked up the phone, wondering which it would be.
“I’m so happy that you made things up with my father,” she said.
“How did you know?”
“My mother called. She says you took him with you, that you went out together.”
“He’s with me right now,” I said.
“Where are you going?”
“To court. Going to court to win Ray’s case for him.”
“And you brought my father with you to watch?” She was so happy, I could hear in her voice that she was smiling. “That’s a great way to bond with him, Calledinthe90s. Look, I’m sorry I got so mad at you earlier, I really am. My dad’s a bit too sensitive and--”
“Sorry, Angela, your dad’s not coming to watch me.”
“Why is he with you, then?”
“He’s my witness,” I said.
“What?”
“His expert witness,” Dr. M said, loudly enough for Angela to hear.
My wife’s anger exploded into the phone. She wanted to know how I could expose her elderly, vulnerable father to the stress of a court case. I tried to tell her how I needed him, how there was literally no one else I could turn to, that her father was an expert, a true expert, and the judge was legally bound to believe him, but Angela heard none of this.
“Look,’ I said, “I promise you that--” And then I lowered the phone and pushed the red button, terminating the call. I’d learned that the best way to hang up on someone, was to do it when I was doing the talking. That way it looked like the call had dropped.
“I’m going to steal that move,” Dr. M said.
We rolled into the parking lot. I grabbed the cloth bag out of the back of my car, the bag that held my law robes and shirt and tabs, plus the other stuff I needed for court. It was one-thirty, still thirty minutes to go, not a lot of time to get robed and ready for court. It was just past one-forty five when I, with Dr. M in tow, opened the door to a courtroom on the eighth floor of an old insurance building that had been converted into a courthouse, the home of Commercial Court.
“Commercial Court is an exclusive club,” Cecil-Rowe had explained to me earlier that day, “the legal playground of the rich and powerful. They’ll know instantly that you’re not one of them.” And he was right. It was clear from the moment I walked in that I did not belong, for I was the only lawyer in robes. Everyone else was wearing a suit, and not some cheap thing off the rack like I wore.
There were a half-dozen lawyers present, and after they saw me, they exchanged knowing looks about the stranger amongst them. I ignored them, and walked up to the Registrar. I told him the case I was on, and he signed me in.
“First time in Commercial Court?” he said, eyeing my robes. “You know you don’t have to be robed in Commercial Court.” In other Superior Courts, you always had to bring your robes and get all dressed up. But Commercial Court had its own set of rules, and in the court for rich people, their lawyers did not have to wear robes.
“You’re here on the Sy-Co case?” a young woman asked. She was a junior like me, give a year or two either way. She was dressed in the finest downtown counsel fashion, some designer thing that Angela would know if she saw it.
“Just got retained,” I said.
“You know there’s no adjournments, right? We don’t do adjournments in Commercial Court. I’m just trying to be helpful, because I don’t think you've been here before. You know you don’t have to be robed, right?
“So I heard.”
“So where’s your material? You haven’t served anything, so how do you plan to argue your case?”
“I gotta witness,” I said.
She smiled. “There’s no viva voce evidence, either. Affidavit only.”
“We’ll see what the judge says.” There was a knock from the other side of the door to the judge’s chambers, and then the man himself entered.
I was amazed to see that even the judge wasn’t wearing a robe; instead, he was wearing a light coloured suit and a bright blue bow tie. He was dressed as good as the lawyers, all part of the downtown Commercial Court club, the playground of the richest and most powerful corporations in the City.
“Commercial Court’s not like other courts,” Cecil-Rowe told me earlier that day, explaining that most cases were over in fifteen minutes or less. A plaintiff showed up with some papers, and had a short consultation with the judge. The judge signed an order granting an injunction, or taking away a man’s business, or freezing his money. Commercial Court is where you went to get quick and simple court orders that eviscerated your opponent before the case even got going.
Defendants would appear sometimes in Commercial Court, Cecil-Rowe explained, but it was usually their last time up. Defendants always died a quick death in Commercial Court.
The judge took his seat, and then looked over the lawyers before him. His eyes moved along, and then stopped when they reached me, the one lawyer who was not like the others.
“You don’t need robes in Commercial Court,” the judge said to me.
“I’ll remember that for next time,” I said.
“What case are you on?”
I told him.
“He’s filed no responding materials,” my opponent said, “nothing at all.”
“I’m just vetting the list,” the judge said, “I’ll circle back to you two in a few minutes.” I listend while the judge vetted the rest of the afternoon list: a Mareva, plus a Norwich order, with counsel on those cases sent away in a matter of minutes.
Now the courtroom was almost empty, just the judge, two lawyers, the registrar and my star witness and father-in-law, Dr. M, who sat in the back of the courtroom dressed in an old business suit, put on hastily at his place two hours earlier, when I urged him to hurry it up, to not waste so much time on picking a suit.
“Back to you,” the judge said, addressing my opponent, “I thought this was an uncontested matter. That’s what your confirmation sheet said.”
“I’m sorry, Your Honour, but I didn’t know until I got here that the case was defended.”
“I got retained at the last minute,” I said, “barely three hours ago, the day after I read the papers. But I’m ready to go, ready to argue the case on the merits, so long as you grant me an indulgence, and let me call my witness, to let him testify in person instead of by affidavit, there being no time for me to draft anything.”
Opposing counsel was on her feet. “That’s not how things are done in Commercial Court,” she said, “or any court that I know of, for that matter. My friend (that’s what they make lawyers call each other in court, ‘my friend,’ even though you might hate the other guy’s guts),” the lawyer said, “my friend should have served his responding materials and filed them with the court. Instead, he’s taken us totally by surprise.”
“I’m sorry my friend is surprised by opposition,” I said, “but then consider, it’s my client’s livelihood that’s at stake. If my friend gets her injunction, Ray Telewu’s business is dead, and he loses everything. So yes, my client opposes the injunction, and yes, I’d like to call evidence.”
The judge didn’t consult the papers before him nor the books, but instead, he looked up at the big white clock on the courtroom wall. Its hands said two-fifteen.
“How long will your witness take, counsel?”
“In chief, ten minutes.” I’d practiced with Dr. M on the way in, and I was pretty sure he could do it in five, but I gave him a bit of extra time, just in case.
“We’ve got about two hours,” the judge said, “but I want to be fair to you and your client. Let’s take a fifteen minute recess so you can get instructions. Either we go ahead today with viva voce evidence, or we adjourn, and that will give Calledinthe90s time to file responding materials.”
When everyone came back, the junior’s boss was there, Senior Counsel, a heavy weight, one of those big guys downtown. Plus they brought this guy from Sy-Co Corp, the head of some bullshit division, with some bullshit title, Head of whatever, so that’s the title I’ll give him here. He was The Head. He was the man, the big cheese, the signer of the affidavit on which Sy-Co relied that day.
“What’s he doing here?” I asked Senior Counsel.
He stared at me, all lean and steel grey, looking every inch the hard hitting lawyer that commanded the biggest fees. “If you’re calling a live witness, then so can we. The Head will give evidence today, in advance of your client, so that the judge hears it from him first.” His junior smirked at me, and the two of them sat down, delighted that they’d thought of a way to one up me.
Except that they’d done it by exposing their client to cross-examination. The judge came in, allowed the Head to testify, and when he was done, I stood up.
“Just a few questions,” I said. Senior Counsel was stunned for an instant, and then he stood.
“This serves no purpose, Your Honour. The witness has confirmed the simple facts of his affidavit, and there’s no disputing it. Ray Telewu opened a restaurant less than seventy-one kilometres from Bixity City Hall, and that’s in breach of the Minutes of Settlement he signed.”
I did not bother to respond. Instead, I just stood, and I started to ask questions.
“Have a look at that map in your affidavit,” I said, and he did. I picked up my copy, and tore the map out of it. I passed it up to him.
“What do you notice about this map?”
“That it’s accurate,” the Head said, repeating his evidence in chief, amplifying it, talking about how the map contained perfect measurement.
“You will notice that the map is flat,” I said, laying it on the witness box before him.
“Of course it’s flat. That’s what maps are. Maps are flat.”
“But the earth is round,” I said, “or more properly, a sphere.” Senior Counsel was on his feet in an instant.
“What difference does that make?” he said.
“What you’ll hear from my expert witness, is that a flat map cannot accurately show Earth’s curves. A flat map distorts distances, and in this case, reduces them.”
“But that can’t be by very much.”
“In this case, by just over twenty meters,” Dr. M said from the back of the court.
“That’s my expert witness, the esteemed Dr. M.” I didn’t actually say Dr. M. Instead, I said his real name. But I’m not going to use the real names of my family here, so I’ll just keep calling him Dr. M. “Dr. M was a professor of Physics at the University of Bixity for almost thirty years. He has published numerous papers on particle physics, and is the first Canadian winner of the Wolf Prize for physics.”

• * * *

It went downhill after that for Sy-Co Corp. My father-in-law testified, explaining in simple language, language that even a child could understand, that the Earth was a sphere, that the shortest distance between two points on Earth was a curve, not a straight line. He summarized his calculations in plain English, dumbing down the math, so that everyone present imagined, if only for the moment, that they shared his understanding of a difficult mathematical equation.
Senior Counsel tried to cross-examine Dr. M, but it did not go well, my father-in-law indulging him, gently chiding him, continuing his explanations until the lawyer sat down, defeated by Dr. M’s mastery of the subject,his own lack of preparation and his inability to improvise. When counsel said that he had no further questions, the judge addressed us all.
“I’m not going to reserve, and I don’t think I need to tell everyone why. I think it will take about a minute for me to write a decision saying that the Earth is not flat. I’ll give you some more time after that, but after fifteen minutes, I”ll be back to render my decision.” He rose, everyone bowed, and he disappeared behind the door to judge’s chambers.
I pulled a piece of paper out of my file, and slammed it on the desk before Senior Counsel and his junior. “Fill in the blanks, and sign,” I said.
Dr. M’s head shot up at the commotion, and he shuffled over to see what was going on.
“What’s this?” Senior Counsel said, picking up the paper I gave him..
“Minutes of Settlement. You fill in a number, a big number, for the costs you gotta pay me. Your client signs, and then we’re done.” Senior Counsel opened his mouth to bargain, but I overrode him.
“You know your client’s going to lose; the judge made that obvious. Hurry up if you want to settle; we don’t have much time.”
At the end of most Canadian court cases, the loser has to pay at least part of the winner’s legal fees. That’s the way it’s been since forever, and I think it’s a good rule. Sy-Co Corp had lost, so it had to pay a good chunk of Ray’s costs, and Ray’s costs were somewhere between whatever bullshit figure I claimed they were, and where they actually ought to be. Senior Counsel took the paper over to his client. There was a brief discussion, and then they came back, with the form signed, and a number written in the blank space.
I’ll give it to Sy-Co Corp and their lawyer. It wasn’t a bullshit number, a low ball number. They gave me a real number, a number more like something I’d actually accept, a number that made sense to pay me in costs, in light of the success I’d had, and how I got it. It was a respectful number, a common sense number, and I appreciated it an awful lot.
I tossed the paper back at them.
“Add a zero,” I said, continuing on when Senior Counsel blanched, and his junior retreated a step. “I know what’s going on here. Your client sold mine a bullshit franchise, one with a history of failing.” The franchise had opened up again under a new owner not long after Ray had lost it and then it promptly failed again. Like I said at the start of this story, it’s an old story. It’s how some franchise companies make money. “Your client makes more money selling bullshit franchises doomed to fail, then it does from the honest ones that make money. So add a zero to that number, or Ray’s gonna sue you, class action and all that, for all the people you’ve fucked.”
The Head stepped forward from the benches and spoke to me.
“We get threats like that all the time, but no one follows through. They don’t have the money to fight us, and neither does your client. So go ahead and sue.”
“It’s true that Ray doesn’t have jack shit,” I said, “not a pot to piss in, but he’s my cousin, Ray is, and even if he doesn’t have money, he’s got me. Ray’s family, and for Ray, I’ll sue you guys for free. Hell, I’ll even pay the expenses. Plus I’m gonna put a jury notice in, too, come to think of it, ‘cause juries--”
Senior Counsel cut me off, and moved his client to the back of the courtroom. There was a brief discussion, and then they came back. I watched as Senior Counsel wrote a single digit on the Minutes, a zero, written right where I wanted it.
“You’ll have to initial the change,” I said to the Head of Sy-C0, and it gave me great satisfaction to watch him sign.
“Don’t forget,” I said the moment his pen stopped moving, “for the settlement to be valid, I need to get the money today. Right now.”
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” the Head said.
“Not if you want the settlement to stay in place. I’ll follow you back to your office, and you can put a cheque in my hands.”

• * * *

“What’s this?” my wife said when I entered the apartment later that day, after I’d driven Dr. M home, stopping first at a local pub for beers.
“It’s an absurdly expensive bunch of flowers,” I said, “although no flowers, however beautiful, however expensive, could expiate my--”
She took the flowers, and gave a kiss.
“My mom called. She told me what happened. You fixed things with my dad.”
“Yup,” I said. I had certainly done that. I’d made Dr. M a professor again, if only for a few minutes. Not only a professor, but an expert witness. The judge had declared him an expert in plain terms and Dr.M had beamed when he’d heard those words.
“And you won Ray’s case, too. But my mom didn’t know how, and I don’t know how you did it either.”
“I’ll tell you over dinner tonight,” I said.
“But we agreed no more dinners out; we have to save money, now that a baby’s coming.”
I passed her the envelope that I’d received a few hours before. She opened it, and took out a cheque, a cheque drawn up for an amount I specified, made payable to Mr. and Mrs. Calledinthe90s.
The moment I got that cheque, all I could think about was how my wife would react when I put it into her hands. I could not wait to see her eyes bulge, to hear her voice say “oh my god,” to hear her laugh.
She did none of these things. Instead, she cried.
“Does this mean we can buy a house?” The money wouldn’t be enough to buy a house, not nowadays, with prices being so crazy. But things were different back then in the 90s. Sure, the internet was barely a thing and cell phones were super expensive and a lot of things sucked, but I’ll give the nineties one thing: houses were cheap.
“I think so,” I said.

After one hour of unsuccessfully troubleshooting a no-service problem on my own, I called Tracfone tech support to request assistance. They informed me that the problem was that all my balances were zero. I informed them that the last time I checked, I had 10,129 minutes, 9,556 text messages, and 19.82 GB of data, with a service expiration date of 3.1.25. I mentioned that it was my backup phone that was rarely used, and that I had a screenshot to document my current balances. I spent one hour on the phone with the rep, but she was unable or unwilling to help, and she refused to transfer my call to a supervisor or manager. I requested a callback from a supervisor or manager, but did not get one. Her solution was for me to buy a new plan.
What next? Would reporting this to the FCC and the BBB help? Is there any way to recover my lost balances? Or are they gone forever?
Thanks for your help.

Capturing User Location in Google Forms Seamlessly

Integrating geolocation functionality into Google Forms can significantly enhance the data collection process, enabling a more dynamic and context-aware approach to surveys and forms. This capability allows form creators to automatically capture the geographical location of respondents without requiring manual input or verification of email addresses. The process leverages Google Script, a powerful tool that extends the functionality of Google Apps, including Forms. By embedding custom scripts into Google Forms, developers can programmatically retrieve geolocation data at the moment of form submission, enriching the dataset with valuable location-based insights.
The application of geolocation data in Google Forms is vast, ranging from academic research to customer feedback and beyond. This approach not only streamlines the data collection process but also opens up new possibilities for analyzing and utilizing the collected data. For instance, understanding the geographic distribution of survey responses can help in tailoring services or products to specific regions. However, implementing this feature requires a careful consideration of privacy and consent, ensuring that respondents are aware of the data being collected and have agreed to share their location information. The following guide aims to demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate geolocation capture into Google Forms using Google Script, without the complexities of email verification or additional permissions.

Command	Description
HtmlService.createHtmlOutputFromFile()	Creates and serves HTML content from a file in the Google Apps Script project.
google.script.run	Allows client-side JavaScript to call server-side Apps Script functions.
Session.getActiveUser().getEmail()	Retrieves the email address of the current user (not used for geolocation, but relevant for context).
Geolocation API	Web API used to access the geographic location of a device.

Deep Dive into Geolocation Integration

Integrating geolocation into Google Forms through Google Script offers a compelling way to enhance data collection by embedding geographical intelligence into responses. This technique allows form creators to capture the respondent's location data automatically, adding a new layer of depth to the insights that can be gleaned from the responses. The process involves the use of client-side JavaScript for geolocation detection, which is then passed to the server side via Google Script. This seamless integration bridges the gap between simple form responses and geospatial data analytics, enabling a myriad of applications such as market research, event planning, and even educational activities. By leveraging the native geolocation API available in modern web browsers, developers can ensure that this functionality is broadly accessible without the need for external plugins or tools.
The application of geolocation data capture in Google Forms transcends mere data collection; it facilitates a nuanced understanding of demographic distributions, behavioral patterns, and logistical planning. For businesses, this can translate into targeted marketing strategies and optimized service delivery based on geographic insights. In educational contexts, it offers a unique approach to field studies, allowing for the collection of data points that are automatically tagged with location information. However, it is crucial to navigate the ethical considerations associated with geolocation data, including privacy concerns and consent. Transparent communication with respondents about what data is being collected and how it will be used is essential to maintaining trust and compliance with data protection regulations.

Integrating Geolocation in Google Forms

Google Apps Script & JavaScript

Enhancing Forms with Geolocation Insights

Implementing geolocation functionality into Google Forms via Google Script is an innovative approach to gather enriched data from form respondents. This method not only captures traditional form responses but also collects valuable geographical information, providing a multifaceted view of the data. The integration of geolocation enhances the utility of Google Forms in various sectors, including research, retail, and social sciences, by enabling the collection of location-specific insights. For instance, researchers can track environmental data submissions across different regions, while retailers can understand the geographical distribution of customer feedback, tailoring services to meet regional demands more effectively.
The technical aspect of integrating geolocation involves utilizing browser-based geolocation APIs in conjunction with Google Script to process and store location data alongside form responses. This process is transparent to the user, requiring their consent to share location data, thereby adhering to privacy standards. The approach not only enriches the data collected through forms but also opens up new avenues for analyzing data through a geographical lens. For example, educational institutions can map out student survey responses to better understand regional variations in educational needs or interests. The ability to automatically collect and analyze location data adds a powerful tool to the arsenal of data analysts and form creators alike.

Frequently Asked Questions About Geolocation in Google Forms

1. Question: Can geolocation data be collected without user consent?
2. Answer: No, collecting geolocation data requires explicit consent from the user as per privacy laws and regulations.
3. Question: Is it possible to collect geolocation data for all respondents?
4. Answer: It depends on the user's device and browser settings. If geolocation services are disabled, it won't be possible to collect this data.
5. Question: How accurate is the geolocation data collected via Google Forms?
6. Answer: The accuracy of geolocation data varies based on the device and the method used for locating (e.g., GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular networks).
7. Question: Can geolocation data collection be integrated into all types of Google Forms?
8. Answer: Yes, with the proper scripting and user permissions, geolocation data collection can be integrated into any Google Form.
9. Question: How is the collected geolocation data stored and can it be exported?
10. Answer: Collected geolocation data is stored within the Google Forms' responses or linked Google Sheets, from where it can be exported for analysis.
11. Question: Are there any privacy concerns with collecting geolocation data?
12. Answer: Yes, privacy concerns are significant. It's essential to inform users about the data collection and adhere to GDPR or other relevant privacy regulations.
13. Question: Can geolocation functionality affect the user experience or form submission rates?
14. Answer: While it may add an extra step for consent, if communicated effectively, it should not significantly impact submission rates.
15. Question: Is programming knowledge required to implement geolocation data collection in Google Forms?
16. Answer: Yes, basic knowledge of JavaScript and Google Script is necessary for integrating geolocation functionality.
17. Question: How does geolocation data collection comply with GDPR?
18. Answer: Compliance involves obtaining clear consent, informing users about the data collection, and providing options to opt-out.
19. Question: Can collected geolocation data be used for marketing analysis?
20. Answer: Yes, with proper consent, geolocation data can be a valuable asset for targeted marketing and regional analysis.

Wrapping Up Geolocation Integration

The integration of geolocation functionality into Google Forms represents a significant leap forward in data collection and analysis. By capturing respondents' locations, form creators can unlock new insights and tailor their strategies more effectively. This approach not only enriches the data collected from surveys and forms but also opens up new possibilities for targeted analysis and decision-making. However, it's crucial to navigate the ethical and privacy considerations associated with geolocation data. Ensuring transparency and securing consent are paramount to maintaining trust and compliance with data protection laws. As technology advances, the potential applications of geolocation data in Google Forms are bound to expand, offering even more innovative ways to harness this valuable information for research, marketing, and beyond. The key to successful implementation lies in the seamless integration of technology while respecting user privacy and leveraging the data responsibly to drive informed decisions.
https://www.tempmail.us.com/en/geolocation/implementing-geolocation-capture-in-google-forms-via-google-script

In modern cities, the medical rescue system is crucial for urban safety. Emergency centers command rescue operations, essential for saving lives. With the advancement of IoT technology, many cutting-edge technologies are gradually integrated into the medical emergency system, enabling ambulances to be networked, digitized, and intelligent. Thus, 5G smart ambulances emerge. 5G-enhanced ambulances look similar to regular ones in appearance. However, by integrating 5G networks into the vehicle, developers instantly endowed it with additional "superpowers".
https://preview.redd.it/1q3sbti4xh0d1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b9c2a877f14c1bb6addb5d8b4286b745c7433f9
For instance, 5G-enhanced ambulances can achieve synchronized transmission of multiple high-definition live videos, leveraging 5G's high bandwidth, low latency, and reliability. Based on this, it can synchronously return the medical images, patient signs, illness records and other information of emergency patients to the hospital emergency center without damage, which is convenient for the emergency center to grasp the patient's condition in advance and give professional guidance to the rescuers on the bus.
Forlinx's 5G Smart Gateway FCU2303 provides reliable support for medical ambulance.
https://preview.redd.it/dnrtu3j5xh0d1.png?width=1600&format=png&auto=webp&s=f4eabd6094b58d14a250cc48978b478af53f3258

Rapid transmission of information

Bridge the gap for medical device information transmission.
Modern ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment such as electrocardiogram monitors, ventilators, and defibrillators to enhance rescue efficiency. Various types of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment can efficiently transmit physiological data to the Hospital Information System (HIS) through the multiple Ethernet ports, serial ports, and DI/DO of the FCU2303 industrial-grade smart gateway. This meets the data collection and transmission requirements of ambulances.
https://preview.redd.it/33bzmqc6xh0d1.png?width=594&format=png&auto=webp&s=25272f2193b6653cd579a3aa0fb819190dfaa279

Enabling high-definition audio and video consultations

Medical imaging equipment such as cameras, microphones, displays, and ultrasound machines are deployed on the ambulance. Through the FCU2303 industrial-grade smart gateway, information is transmitted, providing real-time, lossless transmission of audio-visual images from the ambulance to the hospital emergency center. This setup offers a high-bandwidth, low-latency, and highly connected secure network, meeting the remote video consultation needs of the ambulance. It aims to secure more time for patients by implementing a rapid rescue and treatment mode where patients essentially “Be in the hospital” upon boarding the ambulance.
https://preview.redd.it/j5sqm0i7xh0d1.png?width=1239&format=png&auto=webp&s=d15f3622249b85b176955ab7cfd9d713e91fc195

Enabling reliable integration of multiple technologies

• FCU2303 Smart Gateway, designed based on the NXP LS1046A processor, features a quad-core CPU with a high clock frequency of 1.8GHz. With a fanless design, it ensures stable operation of medical rescue systems for extended periods in environments ranging from -40°C to +85°C;
• It supports 5G and 4G modules, which can be easily switched with a single DIP switch. It provides users with high bandwidth, low latency, and large connectivity services. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, enabling both STA and AP modes;
• FCU2303 supports expandable device storage with PCIe 3.0 high-speed interface, enabling support for solid-state drives (SSDs) using the NVMe protocol (M.2 interface). This meets the requirements for small size, large capacity, and fast speed;
• It comes standard with 8 x Gigabit Ethernet ports (flexible configuration of 2/4/6/8 ports, all with independent MAC addresses), 4 RS485 ports, 4 RS485/RS232 multiplexing interfaces, 2 DI (Digital Input), 2 DO (Digital Output), and 1 USB HOST 3.0 port. This ensures the connectivity of various medical devices, enabling full vehicle networking for ambulances;
• The software integrates a variety of third-party components including Samba, Lighttpd, Docker, IPSEC, OpenSSL, and Python 3 or higher versions. It supports protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, TFTP, FTP, Telnet, SSH, Web, HTTP, IPtables, and provides an open system API for easy user customization and development.

https://preview.redd.it/z072qu88xh0d1.png?width=1043&format=png&auto=webp&s=d959dea6d7a91a1f76659e3152f7955184aae682
In the future, smart ambulances based on 5G technology will undoubtedly provide better full-process services for patients, including pre-diagnosis, during diagnosis, and post-diagnosis.
Forlinx Embedded FCU2303 Smart Gateway, which supports the 5G smart ambulance system, fully leverages the leading advantages of 5G technology, including high bandwidth, low latency, and large connectivity. It will undoubtedly effectively and efficiently guarantee the transmission of information for various medical devices. This will assist medical emergency centers in further improving the efficiency and service level of emergency rescue work, enhancing service quality, optimizing service processes and modes, and winning time for rescuing patients’ lives, thereby better-safeguarding health and life.
Originally published at www.forlinx.net.

So I normally make my rice in the microwave in a big bowl, I wash the rice twice and have the water be twice the amount of rice. With it being 2 cups I microwave it for 8 minutes, check after 6, and microwave it for an additional 5 minutes. Turned out good, and really hot. I figure I can just crack some eggs in, mix it in with the rice and have the rice cook the eggs, and then mixed some butter in immediately after. I've done this before, with me not mixing enough and having the eggs completely solidify and being fully cooked. This time I mixed it more than usual and got it to be a bit of a mix rather than being able to see yolk and white separately. It's all yellow that looks a bit puree-ey and paste like. And then I decided to heat it up further after pouring in a bit of milk to further moisten. And heated for another 3 and then mixed in the sliced turkey bits. Mixed, and then poured a little bit more milk since it seemed a bit dry, and heated it an additional 5 minutes since I'll be honest I was worried about the eggs being a little undercooked. I get done and it looks great, like I said just a bit puree/paste like. It tastes fully cooked, and given the amount of heating and time sitting in very hot rice I think it's cooked well enough. My wife tries some and says it's great, but then asks how I cooked it. Told her, and she got extremely upset with me saying it's unsafe for her to eat. Next time I'm thinking of just taking the rice and mixing eggs in on the stove top instead to make her feel better and more safe, but I want to know for sure if this would be safe, or if I'm an idiot.
EDIT: Looking into it with some further research it seems like it's very likely safe but it's not for sure.
In the future I plan on doing it differently. Cooking the rice in the microwave like normal. But after fully cooking I would then dip it in a pre mixed egg bowl and then cook it off on the stove top

So I need help looking for a new job. I’ve been working in the restaurant industry for 2 years, worked at a concert venue for 2 months (seasonal), and am back again in the food industry for 4 months now. I’ve been looking into government jobs but the pre-requisite for some of the postings really deter me from applying with the little experience I have. I have a high-school diploma and have been in community college for ~2 years and will get my associates in 3-4 months. I’m working towards my Bachelors and have been accepted into a university.
I need some guidance and want out of the food/service industry. I am getting burnt out and I need a job with a salary. What would you all recommend I do and how can I make my resume more appealing with what little I have?

I am an intermediate surfer, can handle anything up to head high (6ft). If it’s firing at 8+ I’m not paddling out.
I am planning a trip to Indo in August for 2 weeks. I am planning at staying a surf camp so I don’t have to worry about what the best spot is to go to each day and could also use some coaching to improve.
I am debating between Ulu and Lombok. This a summary of what I’ve read about each spot.
Ulu: Better, more consistent waves and always offshore but much more crowded Lombok: Hit or miss consistency but more remote and less crowded
How inconsistent is Lombok in August? I am regular but don’t mind lefts. Don’t want to get skunked in Lombok but also not sure how crazy busy Ulu is at this time.
Please give me your recommendations on which place you would go Ulu or Lombok?
If you have been to any of the camps in these places and liked one, please share the name too.

hi girls!
i’m in the very early stages of starting my own company and would love to hear any advice from other founders! how you recommend going about things? how do i write my business plan / pitch deck? where can i find manufacturers , branding agencies, accountants etc. What are all the legal things i need to do? are there any tools / software you suggest to make my life easier i.e. notion?
also are their any events to meet other founders in nyc specifally female founders?
feeling slightly overwhelmed by everything so would love tips <3