3rd grade art

Genshin / Honkai Impact & More (NSFW)

2020.09.21 06:11 PrettyFly4SupremeKai Genshin / Honkai Impact & More (NSFW)

SUBREDDIT FOR GENSHIN IMPACT, HONKAI, ZENLESS ZONE ZERO, OR OTHER HoYoverse CONTENT. ~~~ Post anything regarding these games, or just lurk if you prefer that. ~ ~ ~ In any case, enjoy yourselves! And consider joining the Discord for even more good stuff!
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2016.05.29 21:09 djdogjuam2 GradeAUnderA Art

Post your renditions of Grade, Under, or Dickhead on here.
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2017.03.15 20:28 adel123456789 Honkai Impact 3rd for Mobile and PC

Honkai Impact 3rd is the next-generation action game developed by miHoYo Shanghai. The game is available on PC, iOS and Android devices. Honkai Impact 3rd has received many awards, download recommendations and has been loved by players since its launch.
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2024.05.16 05:29 ChocolateIcecreamYum Am I the only one who as a kid; everyone else was obsessed with the black sharpie?

I am of 1992.
The school building I had for first grade and second grade; the art room felt big and when the black sharpies came out; every kid was so floored because for some reason it is SHARPIE.
But I didn’t get it. I just sat there on them damn silver and wood art stools and let myself be last to grab one and didn’t care if it was working or faded. When all the kids would be done and I would go up to the bin and the teacher would look at me and say, “I don’t get it either. Here use mine. That one ran out.”
Why I remember is beyond me. I also remember any day that was sharpies to be used in art during those two grades; it was always a Friday and I got to get me a bag of Fritos when my mom picked me up; in those old 1990’s garage drive into.
submitted by ChocolateIcecreamYum to venting [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 05:22 Every-Ad-667 AITAH For going no contact with my mom, after my sister went no contact with me, calling me a “heartless b-“?

Get comfy, this will a long ride. I (41f) am the middle of three daughters, ‘Shannon’ (43) and ‘Carrie’ (27) and well mom, we’ll call her ‘Brenda’.
I consider myself the quintessential “middle child”, constantly forgotten, not taken seriously and outright ignored. I got my sister’s hand-me-downs growing up, and don’t dare I ask for anything and actually get it, meanwhile, Carrie was given everything. In high school, Shannon got a tailored dress for prom, I got one off the rack. Shannon got a brand new Focus, I got a 1990 Cougar. Years later, Shannon wanted a newer car, so mom upgraded her to an Explorer. When my car fell apart at the seams, I went out and purchased an Accord. I will admit, mom did co-sign for me because I was only 19, but I was given hell for her doing so.
Shannon dropped out of college after an earthquake hit the area, then she moved in with her boyfriend at the time. I was living at home with mom, working and going to college. My paychecks every two weeks were going to mom to take care of my car note and insurance, all the while mom was paying Shannon’s car note, insurance, giving her money for bills AND Shannon had one of mom’s credit cards “for emergencies”.
While I was working and in college, I was expected to help with Carrie, who was in elementary. I would drop whatever I was doing to pick her up from school, take her to tutoring, cook dinner and help with homework. Mom was an administrative assistant for a private firm, she worked 7am-7pm. One night leaving college, I was involved in a serious accident on the way home, my car was totaled. I eventually was able to get another car from my settlement money, this time I didn’t need a co-signer. Around this same time, I was dropped from college because my grades suffered being spread so thin. I continued working full time, still giving mom money for our bills.
I eventually made the decision to enlist in the Air Force, this decision caught my entire family off guard. Most of the comments I received didn’t surprise me, most thought I wouldn’t succeed. The ones that were supportive, congratulated my decision. I prepared myself to leave home; I made an agreement with mom I would send money for my car note, with the understanding that when the time comes, I will come back for it. Well, that time came and I was met with hostility. Mom decided she wasn’t going to give my car back, it was hers, she “was making the payments”. By this time, mom had moved to Vegas with Carrie, unfortunately developed a gambling problem and I felt helpless since I was so far away.
We’ll fast forward a bit, Shannon is now living in Tennessee. I was medically discharged from the Air Force and after talks with Shannon, I went to live with her. We both worked and shared the bills, I got to reconnect with our older sister from our father’s side (we’ll call her Veronica), everything seemed great. Until… Mom called saying that my car is about to get repossessed, that helpless feeling came back. I ask mom for the information for the finance company, reach out to them, made a payment to stop the repossession, then called her back to let her know she’s caught up. Months go by, Shannon comes home early from work, only to say she was fired for a physical altercation with a coworker. Shannon goes on to say, this is the perfect time to work on her music career. I began working double shifts to cover the bills, all while Shannon is going to the studio. Mom calls one night frantic and furious, the car was repossessed and she was on the bus going to work. This causes a huge blow up between the three of us, because mom and Shannon believe I called and had the car voluntarily repossessed (I did not). Shannon bursts into my room cursing/screaming over how I wronged mom, she grabs me by a leg and drags me out of our apartment and outside into the cold. Veronica picks me up, and I go to stay with her until I got my own place. Things begin to level out, forgive and forget and I start communicating with mom again.
After some time, I found out I was pregnant with my first child and make the decision to move to Vegas with mom. During this time I get to see first hand how badly her gambling habit truly is. I would watch her cash her checks, then immediately push money in a machine and loses it in minutes, this goes on for some time. I eventually have my son and months later start working. I save up to buy myself a car, as well as save up for his first birthday party. I was so excited, planning to go all out! That is until one day I get a call at work from my aunt who lived in our building, she’s noticed my mom coming and going frantically. I didn’t have a bank account at the time, and was keeping my money in a safe hidden in my room… well she found it! When I got home, my room was disheveled and money was gone, all but a few hundred. I took what was left, found a one bed one bath for my son and I and left mom’s apartment.
Enough back story! I’ll bring you to the present! We’re now living in Vegas; I purchased a home in 2015, Carrie moved to Arizona for college, mom, Shannon, Shannon’s 3rd baby daddy (Paul) and 4 kids had a rental home across town. Last summer, they all get evicted. Yes, it was for nonpayment, yes they ALL were gamblers. I allow everyone but Paul to come stay with me, this was not well received. Shannon eventually leaves with her kids, to stay with our cousin Candace, who allowed Paul to be there too. Mom eventually is sent to live with Carrie, because we kept bumping heads. I’ll save you the guess work, Candace gets tired of them being there (rent free) and tells them to leave. Shannon blames ME for Candace putting them out, and gives me an ear full on Mother’s Day. Shannon tells me I’m a heartless b***h, she wishes we weren’t related and karma will eat me alive. I called mom to tell her what has transpired, her reaction was “why can’t we all just get along”. I lose it! She was so flippant and dismissive! No comment about Shannon living rent free in someone else’s home, or the uncalled for and hurtful words to me. So I told mom I needed some space and time, I won’t reach out to her and please don’t reach out to me, then I ended the call.
AITAH?
submitted by Every-Ad-667 to AITAH [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:48 tab_rick 5 Types of Shower Wall Panels: How to Choose?

5 Types of Shower Wall Panels: How to Choose?
Undertaking a bathroom renovation is a substantial commitment, both in terms of time and resources. Selecting the ideal material for your new shower wall is a critical decision that requires a balanced consideration of both functional attributes and aesthetic appeal. This comprehensive guide will provide you with an in-depth analysis of five distinct types of shower wall panels, outlining their advantages and disadvantages, to assist you in making an informed choice tailored to your specific requirements.

What Features Do Shower Wall Panels Need to Have?

Before getting all starry-eyed about the colors and textures, you have to consider some practical aspects. Here are some of the key features that any decent shower wall material needs to offer.
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https://preview.redd.it/qmrvtf8zap0d1.png?width=612&format=png&auto=webp&s=a6b822b2798962f3d91793b64d72b0789c33e438

Water Resistance

Ensuring water resistance in shower walls is crucial, not merely to prevent water splashes but to guarantee the material’s longevity and better durability. For perspective, well-sealed ceramic and porcelain tiles exhibit a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%, marking them as highly water-resistant. Conversely, materials like drywall can absorb water up to 10% of their weight, rendering them unsuitable for shower settings. Such high absorption can result in structural issues and mold proliferation, jeopardizing the wall’s structural integrity.

Mold and Mildew Resistance

Beyond aesthetics, mold issues and mildew present significant health risks. Research indicates that mold exposure can exacerbate respiratory conditions, particularly in asthma sufferers. Materials such as solid surface panels and acrylic inherently resist mold. Specifically, the non-porous nature of solid surface panels virtually eliminates mold growth opportunities, reducing mold presence by up to 99% relative to conventional materials.

Ease of Cleaning

Efficiency is paramount. On average, individuals allocate roughly 15 minutes weekly to shower cleaning. Materials like solid surface and acrylic can potentially halve this duration, courtesy of their smooth, non-porous attributes. In comparison, natural stone, due to its inherent porosity, demands more cleaning time, especially if not consistently sealed with a sealant. However, with diligent care and sealing, natural stone can offer enduring elegance and durability, lasting for a long time.

Durability

Optimizing the high durability of chosen materials is essential to ensure value for money. To illustrate, when adequately cared for, solid surface and porcelain tiles can endure for over 30 years. This lifespan surpasses many conventional materials by 50%, which may necessitate replacement or extensive upkeep within two decades.

What Types of Shower Wall Panels are Available on the Market?

Over the years, shower wall panels have evolved, presenting a diverse range of choices to meet individual preferences, requirements, and budgets. Traditionally, ceramic shower walls have been the go-to choice for many due to their timeless allure and low maintenance. Granite stands out for its inherent beauty and resilience, always maintaining its position as a preferred selection for those valuing both aesthetics and durability.
For those inclined towards high-end materials, natural stone walls—encompassing granite, marble, onyx, and travertine—offer an opulent, sophisticated touch to any bathroom. Recognized for their lasting lifespan, these exquisite materials are available in a variety of styles.
In recent times, the market has embraced novel materials. Acrylic panels, for instance, are steadily gaining popularity. Not only are they mold and mildew resistant, but they also simplify installation processes. Their diverse color and design spectrum offer a wide range of decorative possibilities. Solid surface panels, a newer addition, boast a sleek, uninterrupted appearance, which many homeowners find attractive. Notably durable and non-porous, they can adeptly replicate the look of natural substances.

Solid Surface Shower Wall Panels

In the realm of contemporary bathroom designs, solid surface shower wall panels stand as a beacon of luxury and practicality, invariably catching the attention of judicious homeowners. What exactly contributes to their remarkable qualities? Let’s explore.
Solid surface shower wall panels are the culmination of state-of-the-art technology intertwined with finesse and craftsmanship. These panels are meticulously fashioned using an exclusive blend of aluminum powder, sourced exclusively from a prestigious state-owned brand. This guarantees a composition boasting a pure 100% aluminum hydroxide foundation, completely devoid of any calcium powder inclusions. The distinct formulation of 15+25+75 fine powder facilitates the creation of high-density panels that exhibit a pore-free surface.
The resultant product is not merely a feast for the eyes but also provides a tactile experience that’s genuinely gratifying. A testament to its excellent engineering, the panels offer minimal water absorption, safeguarding against common bathroom problems such as stains and discoloration. The distinctive factor in these panels lies in the incorporation of high-grade resin, which plays a crucial role in determining the product’s longevity and aesthetics. Employing a lesser quality resin can precipitate yellowing over time; however, the utilization of Isophthalic resin in this context is noteworthy for its superior anti-yellowing prowess. This resin harbors a stable molecular structure, thereby promising a product that boasts a refined texture, augmented hardness, and unmatched resistance to yellowing and contamination, ensuring that the beauty of your shower space remains untarnished over time.

Waterproof

Water is a natural companion to showers, but without proper management, it can be detrimental to shower walls. Solid surface panels excel in this aspect. Their impermeable nature guarantees water resistance, safeguarding against potential damages and ensuring a long-lasting lifespan.

Easy to Maintain

Optimizing time is a priority in today’s fast-paced world, and solid surface panels offer a highly convenient solution for bathroom maintenance. Their sleek surface facilitates effortless cleaning, enabling you to maintain a pristine bathroom with minimal exertion over the years.

Stains and Discoloration Resistance

Bathrooms are susceptible to various staining agents, from hair dyes to diverse bathing products. Solid surface panels, composed of high-quality resin, are highly resistant to most stains. Their non-porous nature further minimizes the risk of discoloration, ensuring long-lasting aesthetic appeal.

Easily Customized

Solid surface panels offer a flexible foundation for homeowners to articulate their distinct design preferences. Whether your emphasis lies on a variety of colors, unique textures, or a particular design theme, these panels can be tailored to harmonize with your aesthetic vision, enhancing the visual appeal of your bathroom. Additionally, solid surface panels can mimic the appearance of natural materials, such as the patterns and colors of marble. This means you can achieve the luxurious look of marble easily.

Highly Durable

Given the infrequent yet substantial nature of bathroom renovations, durability is of utmost importance. Solid surface panels are constructed using premium materials, specifically designed to withstand high levels of moisture, mechanical impacts, and routine wear and tear. Solid surface panels, being highly durable, don’t warp or swell, ensuring that mold and mildew don’t find a conducive environment to grow. A highly durable surface will resist staining, scratching, and other routine damages that lesser materials might succumb to.

Anti-Mold

Mold is not only aesthetically unappealing but also poses potential health risks. The non-porous nature of solid surface panels serves as an effective barrier against mold proliferation, thereby promoting a healthier and cleaner bathroom environment for you and your family.

Antimicrobial

Beyond mold resistance, solid surface panels are engineered with the capability to resist a wide range of microbial agents. This intrinsic antimicrobial property further enhances the hygiene and safety of your shower area, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth and subsequent

Acrylic Shower Wall Panels

Acrylic panels have garnered significant attention in the home improvement sector due to their combination of cost-effectiveness, longevity, and visual appeal. They are frequently utilized in bathroom upgrades. But what are their inherent characteristics and advantages?
Acrylic shower wall panels are fabricated from a heat-treated thermoplastic compound, resulting in a consistent sheet. These panels are recognized for their polished finish that not only elevates their visual appeal but also offers a mold and mildew-resistant surface. A notable feature of acrylic panels is their ability to mimic various materials. With a wide selection of different colors and patterns, they are a preferred choice for home interiors. For those seeking the aesthetics of natural stone or ceramic at a reduced cost, acrylic stands as an excellent alternative. Moreover, when using individual acrylic sections, a secure and watertight seam between panels can be achieved.

Lightweight and Easy to Install

Acrylic panels are notably light, making them ideal for DIY projects. Their installation is uncomplicated, eliminating the need for a professional team. This results in time and labor cost savings.

Easy to Clean

The sleek finish on acrylic panels is both aesthetic and functional. It prevents the adherence of water droplets and soap residues. Cleaning is effortless, only requiring a damp cloth without the need for strong chemicals or intensive scrubbing.

Affordable

Opting for acrylic panels provides a balance of style and utility without straining your budget. They represent excellent value, given their durability and low maintenance needs.

Waterproof

Acrylic panels inherently resist water due to their non-porous composition. They’re an optimal choice for moisture-prone areas like showers. Their design, having fewer seams than conventional tiles, minimizes the chances of leakage.

PVC Shower Wall Panels

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) may initially seem complex by name, but within the realm of bathroom refurbishments, it represents economical and functional choices. Let’s delve into the details of PVC shower wall panels.
PVC shower wall panels, fabricated from a plastic-derived material, are both lightweight and cost-effective, catering to a broad spectrum of homeowners. Their diverse design and finish options facilitate various aesthetic goals, from contemporary to classic, without incurring the expenses of higher-end materials.

Lightweight

One of the standout features of PVC panels is their weight. Being incredibly lightweight, they’re easy to transport and handle, which is a boon for DIY projects. This lightness doesn’t compromise their strength, though. They’re sturdy enough to stand up to daily shower use.

Water Resistance

Ensuring water resistance is crucial for shower areas. PVC panels, with their non-porous properties, guarantee this protection. They prevent water penetration, safeguarding against potential damage. Their design suits wet environments, promoting durability and minimizing maintenance needs.

Low Maintenance

PVC panels cater to individuals preferring minimal upkeep. Their sleek design facilitates effortless cleaning of dirt and residues. Additionally, their resistance to mold and mildew ensures a hygienic bathroom ambiance.

Cost-Effective

Are you working within a budget? PVC panels present an optimal solution. As one of the most cost-effective materials available, they combine resilience and aesthetic appeal without straining your finances. They stand out as a top choice for those seeking quality and affordability.

Fiberglass Shower Wall Panels

Fiberglass, a material with a rich history, has become a favored selection for numerous homeowners, especially in the fabrication of shower wall panels. But what attributes contribute to its distinction?
Fiberglass shower wall panels are meticulously manufactured through a process of intertwining delicate glass fibers to form a textile-like base, subsequently reinforced with a resin compound. This technique yields a product that combines lightness with robust strength. Furthermore, these panels frequently feature a gel-coat surface layer, optimizing the texture and augmenting its resistance to water penetration.

Lightweight But Strong

The beauty of fiberglass lies in its paradoxical nature. It’s incredibly lightweight, making it easy to handle and install. Yet, its strength is commendable. This balance ensures that homeowners don’t have to compromise on durability when opting for easier installation.

Stains Resistance

Nobody likes a stained shower wall. Fiberglass panels, with their gel-coat surface, resist most common bathroom stains. Whether it’s soap scum or hard water marks, a simple wipe is often enough to keep the panels looking pristine.

Easy to Install

For those who love a good DIY project, fiberglass panels are a dream. Their lightweight nature combined with their flexibility ensures that installation is straightforward. No need for specialized tools or professional help, making them a cost-effective choice.

Tile Shower Wall Panels

Tiles have long been a foundational element in bathrooms. Their adaptability and visual appeal have endeared them to homeowners for generations. However, when discussing tile shower wall panels, we are highlighting a contemporary adaptation of this timeless choice.
Tile shower wall panels are large, unified panels designed to emulate the appearance of individual tiles. These panels capture the beauty of traditional tiles without the complexities of individual tile placement, grouting, and associated drawbacks. Constructed from materials like porcelain and ceramic, these panels deliver a cohesive appearance while preserving the allure of conventional tiles. Furthermore, they serve as an excellent substitute for glass tiles on shower floors, especially in homes with children or seniors, due to their enhanced grip and minimized slip risk.

Highly Customizable

One of the standout features of tile panels is their customizability. They come in a plethora of designs, colors, and textures. Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary look or a vintage vibe, there’s a tile panel out there that fits the bill. This flexibility ensures that homeowners can achieve their desired bathroom aesthetic with ease.

Higher Cost

Quality often comes at a price. Tile shower wall panels, given their aesthetic appeal and durability, tend to be pricier than some other options like PVC or acrylic. However, many homeowners find the cost justified, given the longevity and upscale look they offer.

Require Regular Cleaning

While tile shower wall panels eliminate the hassle of grout lines, they still require regular cleaning to maintain their shine. Water spots, soap scum, and other bathroom residues can dull their appearance over time. Regular cleaning ensures they remain the centerpiece of your bathroom.

Comparison of 5 Types of Shower Wall Panels

Choosing the right shower wall panel can be a daunting task given the plethora of options available. To make your decision easier, here’s a comparison of the five types we’ve discussed:
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Features/Aspects Solid Surface Acrylic PVC Fiberglass Tile Panels
Material Composition Composite material often made from a blend of natural minerals and high-quality resins Thermoplastic material Polyvinyl chloride Woven fine strands of glass solidified with resin Often made from ceramic or porcelain
Water Resistance Exceptionally high due to non-porous nature High, non-porous High, non-porous High, especially with a gel-coat finish High, but grout lines can be vulnerable if not sealed properly
Mold/Mildew Resistance High resistance due to non-porous nature High resistance, especially if treated High resistance High, especially with a gel-coat finish Moderate; grout lines can harbor mold/mildew if not cleaned regularly
Maintenance Level Low; easy to clean and doesn’t require frequent upkeep Low; simple wipe-down usually suffices Low; easy to clean with regular household cleaners Low; gel-coat finish helps repel stains Moderate; tiles are easy to clean, but grout lines require attention
Durability Very high; resistant to scratches, stains, and impacts Moderate; can scratch but is generally durable Moderate; can dent under strong impact Moderate; strong but can crack under heavy impact High; tiles are hard and durable, but grout can deteriorate
Customizability High; available in various colors, patterns, and can be tailored Moderate; limited to available colors and patterns Low to moderate; limited designs Low; typically available in standard designs and colors Very high; vast array of tile designs, sizes, and colors
Cost Premium; higher cost due to quality and benefits Moderate; more affordable than solid surface but pricier than PVC Low; one of the most cost-effective options Moderate; typically more affordable than solid surface but pricier than PVC High; especially if opting for high-end tiles and professional installation
Installation Difficulty Moderate; might require professional installation Easy; DIY-friendly due to lightweight nature Easy; DIY-friendly due to lightweight nature Easy to moderate; lightweight but might benefit from professional touch Moderate to hard; requires precise placement and grouting
Weight Moderate to heavy depending on size and thickness Light Light Light Heavy due to the weight of tiles and adhesive
Aesthetic Appeal High; mimics natural materials and offers a seamless look Moderate; glossy finish and smooth surface Moderate; can look more plastic-like Moderate; smooth surface with a glossy finish Very high; offers a classic and timeless look
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Why Solid Surface Panels Stand Out?

Among the variety of shower wall panel options, solid surface panels are often identified as the best option for a wide array of homeowners. These panels come in multiple finishes, including both glossy and matte, to accommodate a range of aesthetic tastes. Importantly, the matte finish not only provides a sophisticated look but also offers scratch resistance, thereby enhancing the long-term durability and appearance of the wall.
Solid surface panels offer a superior combination of durability, visual appeal, and ease of maintenance, making them an exceptional selection. Crafted from high-grade resin, these panels are designed for long-lasting performance. Their customizable features enable homeowners to create a distinctive aesthetic that complements the existing plumbing fixtures, thus enhancing the overall visual coherence of the bathroom.
Moreover, these panels facilitate a seamless integration with plumbing fixtures, simplifying the installation process without sacrificing the bathroom’s stylish ambiance. Their inherent resistance to mold, mildew, and stains further solidifies their standing as a leading option in the market.
Considering their water-resistant, mold-resistant and antimicrobial properties, solid surface panels are often deemed the benchmark for shower wall materials. The added benefit of scratch resistance, especially in the matte finish options, provides homeowners with assurance that their investment will withstand daily wear and tear, maintaining a contemporary and clean appearance for years to come.

KKR: Elevate Your Business with Solid Surface Shower Wall Panels

In the realm of bathroom renovations, a product that synergizes aesthetics, resilience, and innovation is imperative. Enter KKR’s superior solid surface shower wall panels. These panels, formulated with a distinct composition of 100% aluminum hydroxide and high-performance Isophthalic resin, stand unparalleled in their category.
Now, to delve into specifics: Traditional materials such as ceramic or acrylic present porosity levels between 1% to 5%. This makes them vulnerable to moisture retention and, in turn, mold proliferation. In contrast, KKR’s solid surface panels maintain an almost negligible porosity, adeptly addressing such issues.
Low-maintenance shower wall is crucial, and in this domain, efficiency equates to savings. The impervious character of these panels slashes cleaning durations by up to 70% in comparison to counterparts like natural stone or tiles, which demand consistent sealing and grout upkeep. This efficiency not only denotes long-term fiscal benefits for your clientele but also amplifies customer contentment and allegiance.
Furthermore, the adaptability offered by KKR’s panels is transformative. Unlike many materials that present a confined spectrum of designs, KKR’s innovative approach facilitates a vast array of stylistic choices. This versatility ensures that you can serve diverse customer preferences, from the understated to the opulent.
In essence, KKR’s solid surface shower wall panels represent an exceptional amalgamation of excellence, endurance, and adaptability. They’re not merely a product but a strategic asset for your enterprise’s esteem and prosperity.

Conclusion

Selecting the best shower wall material is essential for both visual appeal. functionality and performance. Whether your focus is on durability, budget, or aesthetic, there is a suitable option available. While many prefer solid surface panels due to their numerous advantages, it’s vital to weigh personal requirements and tastes. Ultimately, your bathroom should embody your unique style and necessities.
submitted by tab_rick to KKRsolidsurface [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:45 K0ttie_kiss1o1 Who else had weird ass classmates in this school

Im just curious cuz I did lmao.
Middle school - girl threatened to kill herself everytime I did something she didn’t like. Also called me and her friends bakas AND HAD A CRUSH ON ME? She described me when she asked me to guess her crush I was so tired. A girl below my grade spammed the yarichin bitch club opening in zoom no teacher did anything. Same girl stole a ton of anime art for our art showcase. Another girl submitted paint by numbers 🙄 I called her out on it and she HATED ME, roleplayed killing me in chats.
High school - Couple always flirted in chat and came up with code names for people, and got angry when someone asked wtf they were talking about. U guys r a couple just text each other 💀 . They always got chat disabled SMH. Some pretentious guy in creative writing ALWAYS unmuted himself he was INSUFFERABLE. Got pissed off at every assignment and went on rants about how they were unnecessary. He tried to start arguments all the time, a girl said she had a tattoo to remember her dog and he said “I don’t get why some people think it’s smart to stain their skin” STFU! There’s more but I can’t get recognized on here 😭
I blocked every single person from this school on insta, I left this hellhole and felt like sharing. I thought it was normal to have falling outs with everyone u talk to in school 😭 this school legit made me a misanthrope in 7th grade because I literally could not befriend anyone here. If a parent is reading this do NOT make ur kids do K12 I swear there’s like 10 other virtual schools u can consider. There’s so many alternatives
submitted by K0ttie_kiss1o1 to k12 [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:19 fganniversaries Fighting Game Anniversaries: Week 20 (May 13 - May 19)

Hey, yall. This is fganniversaries and apologies for missing last week; I genuinely thought that I posted for the week but turns out that I didn't upon looking. As per usual, I will be recapping anniversaries relating to fighting game announcements/releases this week. Like always, if I missed one, do please let me know in the comments. Here would be the following anniversaries:
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
submitted by fganniversaries to Fighters [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:18 fganniversaries Fighting Game Anniversaries: Week 20 (May 13 - May 19)

Hey, yall. This is fganniversaries and apologies for missing last week; I genuinely thought that I posted for the week but turns out that I didn't upon looking. As per usual, I will be recapping anniversaries relating to fighting game announcements/releases this week. Like always, if I missed one, do please let me know in the comments. Here would be the following anniversaries:
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
submitted by fganniversaries to u/fganniversaries [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:10 Anonymousredditor009 How to move up the ladder / get started in my career?

Serious question (US based)
How do I become upper class?
CONTEXT: My family grew up middle class in an upper middle class neighborhood. I remember feeling ashamed because my friends would vacation to Europe every summer or other exotic destinations while I spent my summers working, and my only "vacation" was to go to the local public pool.
I've been out of college for a year now and have been able to take some short vacations within the US, which has been nice. However I still work in retail making a very low salary and my parents have given me a deadline to move out soon. I'm well aware that what I make is NOT a liveable salary, at least in the part of the country where I live.
I've been applying to jobs for almost two years and have gotten the occasional interview or phone screen but have not landed a single offer. I majored in a liberal arts degree but changed my mind on my ideal career path at a point where I was already stuck in my degree. I'd love to work in business but have already been rejected from all the firms in my area, not just the top ones (all without even getting an interview). I've been applying to jobs daily but I know I need a way to earn more money if I need to start supporting myself soon. I've even signed up for a side gig just to supplement my current job but am still waiting to get approved.
I've thought about becoming a gold digger (I am female) or starting an OnlyFans, although I can't quite overcome my conscience to do the latter, and I am too fat to be the former (I have PCOS and have struggled with my weight my whole life). I am currently learning to watch my diet and calories and working on losing weight, but I am currently well over my ideal weight and am only losing weight at a very slow rate which means it will be several years before I am down to a healthy weight.
Now for the good news.
For one, because I grew up surrounded by the upper middle class, I am familiar to some extent of the aesthetic of that class (although it is very different from my own personal style). I don't know some of the really boujee etiquette things like the different types of forks and what not (tbh being so concerned that someone's using a salad fork to eat steak or whatever is stupid. A fork is a fork.)
Because I went to an affordable public college, I graduated debt free, which is huge. I also graduated with a very good GPA and scored fairly highly on both undergraduate and graduate school standardized exams.
I also have a few different credit cards that I use responsibly and don't spend beyond my means (for the most part). I always pay my cards off in full every month and have a FICO credit score of about 770.
I try to diversify my portfolio, and of my savings I've accumulated so far, just under 10% is in a mutual fund, about 25% is in my 401k with company match, and the rest is in a high yield traditional savings account. With every paycheck, I contribute 10% to my 401k and an additional 10-25% into my savings account (I aim for 25% since I still live at home and have fewer expenses right now, but some months it's less).
It's hard because I've tried looking online for advice as far as how to become wealthy and I feel like I'm doing everything right - I went to college, I got good grades, I save a lot, I have no debt, I don't spend beyond my means, I've even tried going above and beyond to show my dedication in my job search by cold emailing recruiters at companies I'd be interested in (especially those who were alumni of my school), writing personalized cover letters, etc. and yet here I am stuck in my barely-above-minimum-wage soul-sucking retail job with a clock ticking over my head that I don't have much time to somehow find something that provides a liveable wage / move up in class so I can move out of my parents house. In addition, I don't really have the money to immerse myself into affluent circles by joining expensive country clubs, etc. (and even if I did, I feel like I would be judged and dismissed because I'm a fat woman), so that severely limits any opportunities to network or rub shoulders with the rich.
I know this is a very long post so thank you if you made it all the way to the end. I would really appreciate any sincere advice on how to move up in socioeconomic status, find a better paying job, etc. thank you ♥️
submitted by Anonymousredditor009 to careerguidance [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 04:05 DyslexicFrobrosis 1926-1928 Art Duncan

Alright so to start this off I’m trying to complete a full set of all rookie cards of the Detroit Red Wings and all other affiliated previous names or at least the first known card of a player. That’s mostly because of the dark ages from post WWI and WWII when there were no gum or cigarette packs doing NHL cards. I found online the first known “Card” of the Detroit Red Wings first captain Art Duncan and it is actually his second season on the Maple Leafs. I’ve only ever found proof of this card on a website called “mrburnscollectorscornerweebly” as a die hard Maple Leafs website. I can find no proof of that card existing anywhere else besides this website and PSA saying only 1 card has ever been graded. (Probably the one pictured on the website). Any help would be appreciated.
submitted by DyslexicFrobrosis to hockeycards [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 03:39 Slumpeeze Looking for opinions

So basically I’m going to my first collect a con next month and I plan on getting Veronica Taylor (the voice of ash) to sign a Cubone card for me as I’m a collector of Cubone. I just wanted to gather opinions on what y’all would think the best card would be (based off arts not value wise) and if I should get it graded or just keep it in my binder (graded or not it wouldn’t be for resale just for myself). Looking forward to see what people suggest!
submitted by Slumpeeze to PokemonTCG [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 03:17 LopsidedSea9821 new nickname/ fake namw

i’m 14 yo girl & next year in high school ( in august) i’m gonna go by a new name. my name is anastacia pronounced “ anna-stacia” the stacia is not dropped. but ever since i was in 3rd grade i’ve went by anna.
here’s name ideas i have
• Renee ( my middle name ) • Staci ( my early childhood nickname ) • Anastacia ( my real name ) • Annie • Star
which one is most appealing?? and if you guys have any other name suggestions tell me🫶🏼
submitted by LopsidedSea9821 to namenerds [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 03:11 newbteacher2021 End of year activities

I teach 3rd grade math and science and next week is our last full week of school. We have finished all testing and I don’t want to take any more grades. What fun/easy activities could I do to still have structure but not do too much? I have a few small science experiments planned, but other than that, I’m open to suggestions.
submitted by newbteacher2021 to ElementaryTeachers [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 02:55 GoldWhale Ivan Demidov: The Debate for #2 that Never Should Have Been

Written by u/GoldWhale & u/JD397
Thanks everyone for your patience with us getting this written up. Much appreciation to my co-author u/JD397 for his work, scouting analysis, and comprehensive background knowledge on where Demidov sat compared to historical players, and the international analysis. Please note, this analysis won’t focus on why Demidov>Levshunov. In terms of BPA, Demidov is nearly unanimously over Levshunov based on consolidated rankings. With the Blackhawks publicly saying they want to go BPA, we hope to establish a case as to why Demidov truly stands above the rest, by a good margin. We hope that this was worth the wait, and we haven’t disappointed anyone who may have wanted more. We’re amateurs, give us a small break 😉
When Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly flipped the decisive card to reveal the number one overall pick, Blackhawks fans were disappointed. They were going to miss out on Macklin Celebrini, the consensus number one center and number one overall player in the draft. After winning Connor Bedard the prior year, many fans were hoping for a one two punch down the middle, their own version of McDavid and Draisaitl, Crosby and Malkin; this was not to be.
Despite the initial dismay, fans were still happy. The Blackhawks won the second lottery, and with that, the rights to select a franchise player at number two overall. Immediately, though, there was debate. Swirling on social media there were rumors that the Blackhawks were predominantly looking at two high end prospects: Ivan Demidov (RW/C) and Artyom Levshunov (D). On one hand Demidov is an elite prospect at wing with excellent hands, creativity, and legitimate top line wing with PPG+ upside. On the other, Levshunov is a dynamic offensive defenseman with a stellar shot, solid size, dynamic skating, and most importantly right-handedness.
The Blackhawks, realistically, need both positions. Last year the Blackhawks iced one of the worst offenses in the entire league, scoring the second least goals behind only San Jose. They also had the fourth worst defense, surrendering 290 goals on the season. Neither are acceptable in the push for a playoff spot in the coming years, but ultimately with number two, you can only choose one of the two players. After our hours of analysis, u/JD397 and I believe there is no debate – as good as Levshunov is, Demidov is closer in skill and projection to Celebrini than anyone else in the draft is to him.
So who is Ivan Demidov? He’s an 18 year old forward playing for SKA 1946, a MHL affiliate of SKA of the KHL. Since the 2023 draft the big story out of the KHL was the dominance of Matvei Michkov. This was a kid who destroyed the MHL by putting up 38 points in 22 games and going PPG+ in the playoffs his D-1 Year. Michkov then outperformed Connor Bedard by putting up 16 points in 7 games at the IIHF U18s in 2021. Michkov was, and still is, borderline generational but there was someone else waiting in his shadow. In his D-1 Year, Ivan Demidov put up 62 points in 41 games, and scored 1.3PPG in the MHL playoffs. While putting up a lower PPG pace than Michkov, Demidov’s game was substantially more well rounded and scouts started to take notice of another potential franchise winger in Ivan Demidov.
Demidov exploded in his D-0 Year, putting up a literal 2.0 PPG pace in the MHL the highest pace ever for a player 18 or under, and the third highest PPG in league history. In the playoffs, despite an injury, Demidov posted a ridiculous 28 points in 17 games. This production was unheard of beforehand and bested Kucherov’s 1.87 point pace at 18. Not only did Demidov have better production AND two way play, but he also did it nearly 7 months younger. Demidov remains a bright spot who is able to elevate his play to the competition. Before talking about playstyle, strengths, comps, projections, etc. it needs to be noted just how dominant Demidov was on the scoresheet.
Now that fans know who Ivan Demidov is, let’s address the elephant in the room. Demidov is Russian and with the political climate worldwide, being a Russian is associated with an inherent risk of a prospect not coming over. Rest assured – there is no such concern in this case. Last year, rumors swirled around Michkov not coming over due to three factors:
  1. Michkov did not meet with more than two teams and actively told specific teams he would not play for them.
  2. Michkov was incredibly difficult to get ahold of predraft and it made scouts and front offices skeptical on his character and desire to come to the NHL.
  3. Michkov had 3 more years left on his contract with SKA.
Demidov, on the other hand, is actively engaging with teams. He’s hosting a workout in Florida before the draft for multiple teams to attend, and is actively having his agent coordinate interviews and meetings with interested front offices. Demidov has publicly declared his intention to come over to the NHL as soon as possible, even venturing so far as to say he’s looking at options for getting out of his KHL contract to get to the NHL for the 24-25 season. Finally, Demidov only has 1 year left on his contract so there isn’t long term concern about losing the ability to develop him internally. An interesting note that we found during analysis was that Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein, is “hated” in the KHL because of how consistently he pushes for his clients to leave Russia and transition them to the NHL. Even if Demidov is stuck in Russia all of next year, there’s almost zero risk he doesn’t come over.
On Demidov, the other large question that looms is his lack of play in the KHL, and SKA’s decision to play him in the MHL. Despite being the one of the best players in MHL history, Demidov only saw action in 4 KHL games and scored a total of 0 points which has also turned off many scoresheet watchers. Let us reassure you – Demidov was predominantly the 13th forward and played an average of 3-5 minutes per game with unfamiliar linemates. He did not have a chance to play enough to succeed, and built no chemistry with the teammates he was playing with in his limited time. SKA is notorious for handling their prospects poorly. Young players are consistently given limited ice time, especially when they’re expected to leave Russia. Michkov, despite his skill, couldn’t crack the SKA roster in his D-0 or D+1 simply because of this bias. All said, this is not a concern scouts have when it comes to the potential drafting of Demidov.
With the Russia question answered, we believe there is no doubt that Ivan Demidov is the pick to make in the 2024 draft. Ivan Demidov is really really good. He is the complete package for what you look for in a franchise winger. Demidov has excellent hands, dynamic edgework, elite hockey IQ, high end compete and energy, a relentless forecheck, creativity in the offense he provides, solid two way play, and finally rapid speed in terms of release and puck control. There is no one like him in this draft who offers such an elite skillset with no obvious flaws in his game outside of his build. He can also play center when needed which gives him additional offensive flexibility and adds even more dynamism to his game.
While analytics don’t tell the full story, they can often be a useful baseline to build from. The first item we want to call attention to is Byron Bader’s model, which projects Demidov as the best #2OA prospect since Eichel.. Let's again be clear, we don’t put much merit into this due to the low gradings of Carlsson and Laine, but it’s important to contextualize how Bader’s model works. It compares prospects to the league they’re in and projects them out. Demidov dominated the MHL to such a degree that the model favorably views him due to being almost untouched in play, and setting multiple records. Continuing with Hockey Prospecting and Bader, who is an active NHL draft consultant, they project Demidov to be an absolute STUD based on production. No forward who they’ve ever given 99%s to has ever been less than PPG+. Demidov has a very comparable offensive game to Celebrini, and is all but guaranteed to be a star due to his production and skillset. Alanen also projects Demidov to be elite in all 3 zones, and gives him a total RARE grade of 100, due to his next level offense and transition, and above average defensive work despite his assignments. Again, analytics aren’t an end all be all by any means. They’re just an exceptional base to build from when scouts, data scientists and NHL draft consultants unanimously believe a player to be elite. From our research, no prospects with comparable profiles have busted or not succeeded in the NHL.
Whilst reading multiple articles, watching videos on Demidov, and going through tape, we compiled the following scouting report.
Physical Attributes:
Demidov is not very physically imposing, or even one of the most physical players in the draft. He’s expected to show up to the combine around 6ft tall and weighing 170lbs. Admittedly one knock that some scouts have for him is his build and need to bulk up. Thankfully, this is easy to build at the professional level. Nonetheless, Demidov has sturdy base that enables him to dominate around the boards and in front of the net due to his rapid twitch movements and lower body power. Demidov is able to outskate and outwork larger and stronger players by being smart with his legs and driving to the inside consistently when in transition. His remarkable agility and lower-body strength allow him to outmaneuver opponents and maintain possession in tight spaces, or separate for quick attacks or desperation back checking.
Skating:
Demidov's skating is characterized by irregularities; while he exhibits great power on his edges, his transitions suffer due to a wide stance, leading to questionable but explosive pivot work. Despite this, his rapid acceleration and agility enable him to navigate through traffic seamlessly, while his powerful stride generates significant momentum, making him a constant threat in transition. Let’s clear up a misconception; Demidov is not a bad skater. He’s got decent speed, a good handle on body control, power on the inside of his edges and with quick crossovers, etc. His posture and stance need work, but this is something that looks completely fixable at the NHL level. It doesn’t require a rebuild of his skating style, rather a retool that can utilize his edgework as a base. Instead of hunching over at the end of a shift and losing speed and energy, Demidov can rely on quicker small movement cuts on for rapid movement and longer, albeit slower strides while holding himself higher to preserve energy while covering distance. While the 10 and 2 skating that Demidov employs isn’t conventional, it allows him to see a good deal of the ice, and when in close provide breaking speed towards the play. Fixing the reliance on 10 and 2 also offers faster top level skating and easier quick pivoting in a 200ft game, rather than a longer turn. Again, his skating is unorthodox – but it isn’t bad. It’s not mechanically sound, but it can be polished to a high level without a large amount of concern. Because of how unpredictable his skating is now, scouts across the board acknowledge that it potentially even grants an advantage as his body is harder to read.
Scoring Ability:
A natural sniper, Demidov possesses a lethal shot with pinpoint accuracy and a lightning-quick release that catches goaltenders off guard. Whether he's unleashing a blistering wrist shot from the slot or wiring a one-timer on the power play, Demidov consistently finds the back of the net with precision and finesse. One really underrated part of Demidov’s scoring ability comes from the aforementioned elite edgework. Due to how rapidly he can change directions while holding full control over the puck, he can create scoring lanes with almost zero room, and his accuracy is again one of the best we’ve evaluated as amateur scouts in the last few drafts. When there isn’t an immediate opening or shot, Demidov is patient, draws coverage where he wants, and again has no qualms about firing the puck to the net. If there’s one question about his ability to score, it’s his slapshot. He hasn’t had to use it in almost any occasion due to how the offense is structured on SKA 1946, and therefore it’s not as developed as his snap or wrister. This is a relatively minor knock, though. Demidov can take slapshots and find twine without much difficulty, it’s just the least refined part of his goalscoring ability.
Playmaking and Elite Hands:
Demidov has the best hands that we have scouted. Better than McDavid, better than Fantilli, better than Hughes, better than Bedard, better than Michkov, and yes, better than Patrick Kane as a prospect. Yep, that good. Hadi Kalakeche, one of Dobber’s lead scouts says, “…he has THE best handling skill I’ve seen… he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Pavel Datsyuk since Pavel Datsyuk.” The rapidity of his movement, the purposeful puck placement, the astounding protection rate, and his ability to pull defenders off of him without moving his body is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Again, he has the most individual puck skill and innate offensive talent in the draft. These skills with his hands allow him to become an absolutely next level playmaker. Demidov is crafty, and has a history of faking shots to make a pass, or vice versa to help his team. He’s able to create lanes and take advantage of his puck control by having absolutely next level zone entry to set up the offense on a consistent basis. While his decision making needs some work when it comes to choosing the best move, he almost always makes the right one, and is able to think through solutions when there’s no apparent move forward. Whether it’s a drop pass, running the puck up the boards, a regroup, finding a teammate with a perfectly slotted pass, Demidov has no real ceiling. The only question remains is whether these skills will work as well at the next level. All said though, there’s no real debate between scouts that he’ll be a franchise winger.
Creativity and IQ:
Demidov is electrifying, brilliant, dynamic, innovative, transcendent, and any other adjective you want to use. There is no prospect in this draft with Demidov’s offensive upside, including Macklin Celebrini. As mentioned above, Demidov has been compared to Datsyuk: he is stellar at opening up lanes with his body or finding passes, even if they’re banked off the boards. While Bedard is a guy who was expected to shoot first, Demidov is a passer. This works in his favor, though. Demidov certainly doesn’t lack a scoring touch. His positioning and body will tell goalies and defenders he’s planning to pass and he’s able to quickly change direction using his edges to put a shot on net. His ability to think several steps ahead of the play allows him to execute highlight-reel passes and capitalize on scoring opportunities that others on his team might miss, or simply not have the skill to execute. He’s unpredictable because his vision is at such a high level. He’s got a game reminiscent of Jack Hughes and Patrick Kane, and the way he views the game has scouts absolutely over the moon about his pro projection. There really is nothing that Demidov doesn’t have the ability to do – this year in the MHL he took advantage of the strength of competition and tested it out. Demidov tried different reads, different styles, working more heavily down the middle, shooting, playdriving, etc. We’re blown away by the flexibility that he shows across every facet of the game. A really fun quote to mention from Lassi Alanen, EP’s director of Euro scouting is, “I still have like 100+ unused clips of Demidov's play from this season. He must be the most clippable prospect I've ever watched. Something eye-catching happening almost every shift during his second half of the season.” Demidov’s highlight reel isn’t really a “reel” – that’s just how he plays the game on most shifts that he takes.
Physicality and Defensive Awareness:
Demidov's physicality extends well beyond his height, as he isn't afraid to throw his weight (all 170lbs) around and engage in board battles to win possession. His defensive awareness is equally impressive, as he uses his size and reach to disrupt passing lanes and apply pressure on opposing forwards both in the defensive zone and in the neutral zone, showcasing a commitment to playing a complete, two-way game. As briefly mentioned, Demidov doesn’t exclusively play wing – he plays center too. While he’s not going to be Patrice Bergeron he is capable of handling both ends of the ice, and has consistently improved his defensive play throughout the year.
Work Ethic and Engagement:
While almost all prospects “work hard” to play their best on the ice, Demidov does that little bit more. Despite being a winger, he’s consistently one of the first players up and down the ice. He rarely coasts and drifts around but is engaged rather consistently all around the ice. One thing that’s often hard to teach prospects is how to be aggressive and assertive without being risky. Demidov never worries about challenging his opponents, fighting hard board battles, or giving his all to get back into a play after he’s low after driving to the net. This is something that the Blackhawks LOVE in their players, and should hopefully encourage GMKD to pull the trigger, if everything else didn’t sell him. As we see Demidov continue to improve in skating with NHL coaches, this should only give him more energy to expend in the 200ft game, and improve his engagement across plays. He’s an absolute workhorse, and consistently pushes to improve which evidenced by the massive improvement across this season in the MHL. There’s no reason to think this same drive can’t come through on the NHL level.
Areas to Improve and Questions:
With all the hype around Demidov, it’s hard to initially understand why he’s considered a lower end prospect than Celebrini. Digging in, though, it becomes more clear. While Demidov has the higher ceiling, he also has a much lower floor. The number one factor that limits Demidov is his exposure to higher end competition. The MHL is a good league, but Demidov was ready for the KHL last year. Since he wasn’t exposed to higher end competition there is still question on how much of his skillset will translate when playing higher level men’s hockey. There isn’t an expectation of a problem, but when a player lacks that experience, it undoubtedly makes them more challenging to project. Remember, Demidov didn’t really play meaningful KHL minutes when he got 4 games this year. He got 13th forward exposure and didn’t play with the same linemates that he worked with in the pre-season. Nonetheless, he wasn’t perfect. He did see some questionable decisions while trying to adapt to higher competition. There’s little concern that this is an actual issue, but Demidov needs to grow and play against men, even for a few games, before coming to the NHL. Thankfully, he should have the entire season in 2024-2025, and I haven’t read a single scouting report that expects him to have an issue putting up Michkov+ numbers.
The second factor is skating. Demidov is a good skater, but he’s unorthodox at best. While this skating relies heavily on his edgework which gives him amazing playmaking ability, his pivoting, high end speed, position and stride could all use refinement and improvement. While these are all skating mechanics that are easier to fix, skating is NOT a guarantee. If he’s unable to improve his skating with NHL skating coaches, it could limit his upside. He is still expected to be a top line winger, but it could be the difference between 70+ and 100+ points if skating doesn’t develop. Remember, some scouts view his skating as a “hidden” upside in his game, but improving skating not only gives him more offensive flexibility, but also defensively. There’s room for improvement, and it could be an easier lever to correct to see high rewards from.
The third factor is decision making. Demidov is creative to a fault, but just like in art, not every project works out. With such an advanced toolkit, Demidov needs to work with video coaches to better understand which moveset is appropriate in which scenario and when to deploy it. There’s a difference between decision making and IQ. Decision making is hard to fix when a prospect is set in their ways based on playstyle, but if playstyle is more flexible, then there’s much less of a concern. IQ, on the other hand is uncoachable, and Demidov has arguably the best offensive IQ in the draft. There’s no reason to believe that he can’t fix this, but due to being stuck abroad, and potentially even the MHL again next year, it could take him a bit longer to get up to NHL speed.
The final factor is defense. While it seems that every single forward prospect has a knock on their defense, we can qualify Demidov’s specifics a bit more easily. Demidov is a competent defender, and a very good well rounded player, but again decision making plays a factor in the challenge of projecting him here. While players like Celebrini are dominant both ways, Demidov often doesn’t make the right choice when defending – he has a lot of offensive instincts which have him sit higher on the blue, and while he is always engaged on the puck, he needs to be more responsible in coverage rotations. Off the rush, Demidov doesn’t always read the play correctly, and the inconsistency can create shooting lanes for his opponent. Just like Michkov, he can also cheat on plays where he finds himself a bit further away from a play and loses sight of his defensive assignment. He’s extremely energetic and consistently pushes to get back, but working with him on understanding when to cheat will be important for his development as well. We again want to reemphasize that Demidov plays solid defense and a good two way game, especially for a wingecenter. But there’s room for improvement in terms of bridging the gap between him and other recent prospects like Celebrini, Carlsson, and Johnston.
Pro Projection:
While he doesn’t have the skating that Jack Hughes had, he’s still a great projection and comparable. A smaller but nimble player who isn’t afraid to get involved on the rush, around the boards, or in transition. Demidov’s offensive upside is similar as well – like Hughes, the defense isn’t the best, but he’s able to run an entire offense both on the wing and playing center. He’s creative to a fault, has a great set of hands, and the toolkit to be a consistent top 5 player at his position in the NHL. Pro projections are always hard because you can never guarantee how a player will turn out, whether they’re undrafted or a #1OA, but Demidov is truly all but a sure thing. His creativity rivals players like Nikita Kucherov and Mitch Marner in their ability to think ahead of where the play is, his handling rivals Kane and Datysuk, his defensive play is above average for a winger, he has a great shot comparable to players like Matt Tkachuk, and is a bitch to get off the puck. Even when Demidov is literally on the ground, he’s consistently able to hold possession and find a play with no room left. With a toolkit like his, decent size at an estimated 6ft, there should be no reservations that Demidov should succeed at the next level. Most scouts see his floor around 65-70 points, and his ceiling closer to 120. I stand by the Jack Hughes comp I made earlier. While they differ in skating, they play very similar games, and should expect similar success at the next level.
Quotes:
“He’s got the best hands in the draft… and has made more one-on-one skill plays so far this season than almost any prospect I’ve scouted for any draft. He’s also a pretty engaged off-puck player who keeps his feet moving, hunts pucks on the forecheck, and can turn a steal into a game-breaking play in an instant.”
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
“Demidov is already a game-breaking forward who can move the puck effortlessly and there’s no question he’d be a fantastic partner to some of the best prospects in the NHL today. His production in the MHL is comparable to Patrick Kane’s 2006-07 season with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights… Demidov is a bonafide first-line winger who will score tons of goals.”
Dayton Reimer, The Hockey Writers
“In a vacuum he’s the most talented forward this draft class has to offer outside of Celebrini. Demidov possesses many of the same traits Celebrini does, only his track record is against younger, more unproven talent."
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
“The talent of Demidov is impossible to deny. His raw skills might be the best in terms of offense in the entire draft. His puckhandling, shot, passing, and even skating makes him a unique hockey player and prospect. There are many great offensive players, but not many quite like Demidov. Especially who will also have a great drive and motor to play a strong 200 foot game… he could easily be a point per game player in the NHL on most teams first line.”
Frederik Frandsen, Last Word on Sports
“At the end of the day, what you get in a player like Ivan Demidov is a generational offensive dynamo with the mind of a master chess player. Each time he gains possession of the biscuit, his ability to think many steps ahead of the opponent, find creative solutions involving his puck handling abilities, as well as creating tremendous execution at creating space with his skating or precisely hitting the net is considered to be up to par at the NHL level.”
Tyler Ballesteros-Willard, Draft Prospects Hockey
“Any forward that has ever had the type of equivalency we’ve seen from Demidov in his pre-draft year and draft year, going back to the ’80s, has turned into a point-per-game-plus superstar over their careers… You need stars to compete and contend in the NHL, and Demidov is almost guaranteed to be that.”
Byron Bader, Hockey Prospecting
“Demidov is the most dynamic, verstatile, and creative [puck] handler we’ve seen come through the draft in recent years. Elements of his on-puck decision-making remain raw, but his upside as a 100-point top-line winger is supported by decent off-puck and defensive engagement and lightning-quick processing of the game. His elite-level of on-puck intelligence and his trifecta of dynamic handling, playmaking, and goalscoring tools give him the foundation to become an electrifying creative force and offensive driver.”
Sebastian High, Dobber
“Demidov breaks defences. He spots a tiny gap in coverage, bursts right through, and blows it open. He plays mostly a finesse game, but does so hyper-aggressively, attacking everything he can. Demidov succeeds at pulling off plays that most prospects can't. He plans, processes, and anticipates faster than he can stickhandle. He's a pure creator with the puck, making plays out of nothing.”
David St. Louis, Elite Prospects
“Demidov is the more dynamic and flashy prospect [Than Michkov].Demidov is the single-most gifted handler in the entire 2024 class. He projects to be the superior one-on-one attacker…someone who can single-handedly create out of thin air. When it comes to passing ability…Demidov’s ability to chain together handling sequences into following passing plays is second to none.”
Lassi Alanen, Elite Prospects
“It’s a no brainer[at #2OA]. It’s Ivan Demidov all day, every day, 24/7. You run to the stage and pick him… if you ask me, Ivan Demidov is better than Matvei Michkov… He’s the only prospect in our rankings who we gave a 10 grade to for a specific ability. It’s not just the handling skill in isolation it’s the creativity. He comes up with solutions no one can expect.. his motor is underrated, puts in work defensively… it’s a no brainer there.”
Hadi Kalakeche, Locked on NHL/Dobber
Our Scouting:
Clip 1:
As we talked about prior, Demidov has a great IQ and the ability to create lanes and plays out of nothing. Demidov pushes up the ice and enters the zone with pressure closing onto the side. He uses his hands to pull in control, but more impressively, puts his body between the defender and the puck. He uses his edgework and breaking speed to push past the defender, then is patient enough to draw 3 defenders towards him, away from his teammate. When he sees the trailing defenseman waiting, he immediately finds a tight pass for a wide open teammate to capitalize.
Clip 2:
There’s a difference between a safe move, and then there’s an insane move. Watch as Demidov comes up on the left side. He sees that the defender is getting desperate and goes for a large poke. Demidov slides the puck under the Dman’s stick and once again shows off his patience. Instead of going for a quick shot he reads that the other defender is slowly coming across the crease to prevent a passing lane. Instead of just shooting like most players, Demidov baits the goalie into thinking he’s going to run into the defenseman, and in that second, puts the puck in the net.
Clip 3:
Small play, but this is just about how slick his passing is. He slides the puck through a very tight lane while baiting the defenseman into sliding due to not knowing where the play is going to be.
Clip 4:
While we can put on nonstop highlights, it’s also important to see how smart Demidov’s game is. Demidov and the other SKA players move the puck around a bit trying to find an opening until they give it to Demidov. Demidov reads an open play and passes the puck down, but instead of immediately following the puck or staying at his spot, Demidov uses his high engagement to instead move to the other side of the net down low to offer accessory support for his teammates on his anticipated cross crease pass, should there have been a rebound.
Clip 5:
Not every highlight is going to be a goal. One really underrated part of Demidov’s game is how well he’s able to read the offense. As he holds high initially, he’s able to help move the puck out in order to reset the offense when the play fails. His motor keeps him in the play and with his excellent edges, he’s able to make a quick pivot after rushing around in order to step up and create an open shooting lane. While his teammate can’t make the pass to get the puck to him, Demidov read where the play WOULD be, not just where it was. Those IQ aspects really can’t be taught, and are part of what makes him so special. By anticipating the open play rather than following the puck, he establishes himself as a play driver by creating options rather just following and executing structure at a high level.
Clip 6:
We're not even going to analyze this one. It’s just fucking fun. Talent oozes.
Clip 7:
This video has a ton of highlights, which I’d definitely recommend watching, but we’re going to focus specifically on the play at 0:45. We can post clips of Demidov scoring goals, finding breakaways, etc. all day long, but when thinking about translation to the NHL, IQ and decision making is what we’re really drying to drill down on. Demidov arrives in the zone through to middle and pushes the initial F1 to the F3 spot and changes the rotation. The puck is dumped to him and the initial F1 leaves a drop pass for Demidov approaching the goal. As soon as Demidov gets the puck, at 0:47, you can see him primed and in a good shooting position. The bigger defender misread the play and has drifted too far towards the center of the ice, leaving Demidov with a nearly unobstructed shooting lane as the netfront defenseman is also too far toward the middle. Instead of taking the shot, he instead waits to draw over the netfront defenseman, and the bigger defenseman closer towards him, leaving his teammate literally untouched across the crease. Demidov trusts his hands and ability with an extremely quick and accurate pass through the stick range of three defenders to find his teammate wide open. His decision making has been progressively improving and his ability to look off the shot to find an elite pass will translate extremely well to the next level.
Clip 8:
Another play where you can just be excited about Demidov. The puck is wrapped up around the boards and the defenseman sitting at the top of the blue just pushes the puck back into the zone without a clear target, or a player who has an explicit opening to the puck. If anything, the puck is put in the middle of all 5 Karpat skaters. Despite starting on the outside, Demidov’s engagement shines through where he uses his edgework to get a rapid explosive burst of speed, and pushes through both defenders in front of him to gain possession. Once he gains possession, his ability to control the puck, and his handles help to demonstrate just how strong of a prospect Demidov is. Even when the defender is falling onto him, Demidov is patient, makes the netfront defender bite to believe he’s going wide, creating a lane (effectively bypassing 3 separate Karpat players) to get to the goalie unobstructed. Then, his hands come out and he absolutely undresses the netminder with moves that the video literally cannot fully capture. He makes highlights like this look routine, every single game.
Clip 9:
Sometimes when you see a play it’s hard to say anything but wow. Demidov leads the rush through the neutral zone and reads the coverage a much less conventional 1-4 scheme. The offensive rush is a bit unconventional as well, but can offer a smart solution. By having 3 attackers, two concentrated up the middle and one wide, it allows for quick movement up the middle, and post defensive collapse onto the puck, a pass to the outside for a clear entry lane and shot. Demidov passes to his teammate directly across the center of the ice as he expects that teammate to immediately get puck to their teammate on the outside as coverage collapses. Demidov gauges where the openings are pre pass, as evidenced by the head movement. Unfortunately, instead of immediately passing again to the outside for an open lane, his teammate runs into pressure, and panics. He passes back to Demidov who is less than 8ft away and will inevitably will run into immediate pressure as well. Somehow, this is no problem for Demidov. He collects the puck with the literal tip of his stick, uses his body push the defender off, and then pulls the puck in while facing the wrong direction to slip past the defender. Despite being placed in a no win situation his hands and creativity shine through and he creates a clean lane to shoot the puck at the net. It’s almost inhuman what he’s able to do with his hands. When he gets to the net, he’s patient, baits the goalie, pulls wide, and then puts in a clean backhand. Some of these highlights are literally awe-inspiring.
Closing Thoughts:
If this scouting report doesn’t get you excited for Demidov, we don’t think anything will. He’s truly the most electric player in the draft with absolutely ridiculous hands, compete, dynamic play, and highlight reel performance. His IQ is next level, and his hands allow him to do truly amazing things with his skillset and competency. Demidov’s vision is absurd; he consistently makes passes to his teammates without looking, or sends a pass before a teammate has a clean break by using anticipation. These RARELY lead to a turnovers and are often not only creative but unorthodox methods to continue to move the puck up ice. Although his skating is unorthodox, he’s explosive, able to create comprehensive offensive maneuvers due to quick transitions, and make off angle passes with ease due to his edgework. He is elite in transition and able to run a breakout, an offense, and play any of the F1/F2/F3 roles when the situation calls for it. Despite his expected size of “only” 6ft 170lbs, Demidov knows how to use his body and hands. He not only protects the puck on offense but can draw defenders away from his teammates in predictable patterns, once again opening up space for him to capitalize. The same goes for defense where he's able to use his positioning to get the edge on his opponents for a rapid takeaway or a box out off the rush.
As we mentioned earlier, Demidov’s game isn’t limited only to offense, he has a decent understanding of the two way game as well. He’s a relentless forechecker, aggressive on the boards, and also always willing to use his high running motor to jump back into a play that leaves the zone, even if he’s right next to the net. Demidov has the most skill and raw talent out of any player in this draft, including Celebrini. Had Demidov not been demoted to the MHL due to SKA’s poor management, there is almost no doubt that he would be considered nearly neck and neck with Celebrini. As it is now, Demidov is ranked #2 on most boards, and the overall #2 in the consolidated ranking. Demidovs don’t come around often; people last year were genuinely considering whether Michkov was at Bedard’s level. Demidov rivals Michkov if not exceeds him.
You can nitpick the analysis we have of any one single aspect of Demidov. Not everyone buys analytics. Not everyone buys playmaking in a lower league. Not everyone likes irregular skating. Not everyone is on board with the MHL stat sheet, our hype etc. etc. We get it. Really, we do. But at the end of the day, when you step back and appreciate the full body of work, the comps, the analytics, the rave scouting reports, unanimous love, models, stat sheets, skill, work ethic, and more that ALL say that this kid is elite, there’s fire beyond the smoke. Demidov is THE guy. There should not be a debate at #2.
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for reading! Ultimately we know there will be inevitable debate about a prospect, but we appreciate you hearing us out, and at least letting me, u/GoldWhale, spam the sub over the last few weeks in love of Demidov. Whether or not you agree with our analysis, we encourage you to do your own scouting, read from the authors we've included, watch through all the highlights in the linked videos, and draw your own conclusions!
We appreciate everyone in this community, and will try to answer any questions that you may have in the comments. If you so choose, please feel free to crosspost to other subs, edit, or utilize this writeup anywhere you like (forums/blogs/youtube etc.), just link back to our original post! For those in professional media who have contacted us with the hope of utilizing our writeup, feel free, again just link back to the original post as well. Thanks again!
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2024.05.16 02:51 Double-Minute9275 Hi guys, im taking art next year because I thought I was pretty good but what the older grades are making are way beyond my league. Any tips to get better?

What I'm currently struggling on is my shading and my lighting, but my teacher says everything else is good.
submitted by Double-Minute9275 to sketches [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 02:37 FoxoTheFancy Feeling less-than-silly today

Feeling less-than-silly today
I try to close out the cold feeling I get everyday at work when I see my coworkers call me “friend” and “buddy”, yet I never get invited to anything or brought into any conversations. I try to talk to them and spark a momentary conversation that engages both parties but then it’s like it never happened. They always go out drinking, or are always talking about relationships and I’m sitting in the corner with my juice box basically (I’ve never dated and can’t meet anyone because I suck at dating). What hurts more is the two people I had the privilege of calling my childhood friends left me, one died from drug overdose and homelessness and the other ghosted me after I contacted him and he assured me “yeah dude, we’ll talk again soon”. Context for the last part, I knew him since 6th grade (I’m graduated and in college now) and we lost connection after high school because I switched schools. Found out he had a bf and I said “I’m so happy for you dude!” (I knew he was gay since we met). All my friends now (outside of work) either got gf’s and don’t talk to me or the group anymore or just deleted social media and don’t talk to us at all anymore. I’m stuck in a dark corner and religion is only taking me so far and I find myself getting angry at every little thing. sigh. That’s my vent. Thank you for listening if this post gains recognition. Stay silly
(Art by wypher)
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2024.05.16 02:25 Kitchen-Zombie-8088 Licensure Question

I received my Indiana educator license in 2022 and taught 3rd grade at a public school for the 2022-2023 school year.
I had a baby in 2022 and returned after a 6 week maternity leave. I’ve decided to stay at home with my son until he goes to kindergarten.
I just received an email that my license is about to expire and I need to renew it. I need an updated CPR certificate. Will I eventually lose my license if I don’t teach until my son starts school? What do I need to do to keep my license and make sure there are no hiccups?
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2024.05.16 02:20 HauntingMatch9540 How do I even start?!

Sorry if this isn’t the subreddit for this. I don’t know where to post lol. So I (29f) have been attracted to women for as long as I can remember. I knew I liked girls before I knew I liked boys type stuff. 3rd-4th grade my friends and I would “practice” kissing. Middle school was much the same. High school comes and I got my first girlfriend. I was 17 at the time and still closeted to my parents. So she spent the night one night and I woke up find her having sex with my brother in the garage which was essentially converted to a chill spot for us teens at the time. I never held it against my brother since he didn’t know I was dating her. 12 years later he still doesn’t know. I’m willing to go as far as to say this was the first person I fell in love with. Ever since this experience I’ve been afraid to genuinely date women. I’ve had many sexual experiences with women but they have never gone past a FWB situation. I don’t like to meet people online. Dating apps just aren’t my thing. I’m at the point in my life where I want to have a genuine relationship with a woman. But how do I go about meeting them? I’m afraid to embarrass myself again. Any and all advice is welcome. TIA
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2024.05.16 02:09 tweetdreamzz Playground behavior

Today while picking my 6 year olds up from after care, I walked up on an older boy, maybe 3rd or 4th grade, taunting my daughter that another boy “liked her butt”. She ignored him and did not engage. Even when I was sure he would be embarrassed when he saw me standing there, he did not seem phased and kept saying it.
I’ve been off the playground for a long time, but is this acceptable behavior. I try to teach my kids not to comment on anyone else’s body and this bothered me. Should I be bothered or bring this up to the after care director?
submitted by tweetdreamzz to Parenting [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 02:08 Figuarus [OT] The Things We Left Behind.

This is the first time I have written something of this length, and is more of an exercise in self-therapy than anything else. Disclaimer: This story contains conversations about child abuse. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy it.
Nathan’s number appeared on my phone screen. I debated whether or not to answer it. We hadn’t been on speaking terms for a while, and while we did keep in touch sporadically, it was usually because of important family issues. I didn’t know of anything happening with mom or dad, nor with Talia or Rio, so I let it go to voicemail. I could always call him back later. I placed the phone back in my pocket, and returned to cleaning my camera. The phone buzzed again. A text message came through. I read the preview line from the home screen. “The city declared eminent domain on the house” I unlocked my phone, read the full text message, and dialed my brother.
I wasn't able to get any closer to the house than a few blocks. Most of the area was blocked off with chain link fencing and construction equipment in preparation for the demolition that was supposed to take place within the coming days. The barriers didn’t prevent people from walking in to the neighborhood, but it hindered scrappers from coming in and stripping the houses of copper wiring and plumbing.
I grabbed my camera bag out of the trunk of my car along with my tripod. I shouldered it and hooked the tripod to my bag. I pulled my water bottle out of the center console and shut the door. I stood next to my car surveying the neighborhood. 12 city blocks of old single family homes comprised the neighborhood where I grew up. Some of the houses had been empty for months, others for years. There was an eerie silence that permeated the still air. I could not hear the familiar sounds of people, pets, or cars. I locked the car and put my keys in my pocket. I patted my jacket down to ensure I had what I needed. After a quick check, I started my walk.
The sidewalk of the old neighborhood streets still bore the familiar cracks and grind marks from years of buckling and remedy. Leaves dropped by the trees still lay scattered all along the pathways and sidewalk. Korina’s house was the first house I encountered as I made my way through a gap in the fence. The yard was overgrown with tall grass and thistle. I could see the faded blue paint of the old house contrasting the green and browns of the lawn. The chain link fence that marked off the corner property was nearly invisible through the thick brush. As I continued walking west towards 110th, I started to feel something was off. The streets seemed wider than I remembered. It took me longer than I’d like to admit, but eventually I realized what was different. There were no cars.
The streets here typically had cars lined bumper to bumper in any spot available, and were visible from block to block. The absence of all these vehicles made me realize just how deserted the neighborhood really was. House after house, yard after yard, the telltale signs of desertion reinforced what I could see from the moment I passed the construction fence: This was no longer my neighborhood. There were no signs of life, and no one I could expect to find still here. Abandonment was the new normal here. I continued on, glancing at houses and recalling memories of summer bike rides, and daily walks with dogs I used to have. I remembered walks home from school, and chasing after ice cream trucks when they passed our houses. I smiled a bit as I remembered more and more of my years spent here. I don’t quite know just why I was smiling. There were plenty of bad memories here too. Fights, yelling, being beat up, being robbed. I could remember failed friendships, lost loves, and bitter feelings of failures too.
Still, I felt a certain amount of nostalgia despite the weight of these negative feelings. I almost wanted to experience everything again, although I wasn't sure why I was feeling this way. Concrete, asphalt, billboards and liquor stores were the normal vistas of everyday life. Occasionally, after a good rainstorm, the grey haze of smog would lift, and the mountains would be visible to the north. At least, they would be visible until mid-morning when the exhaust from a million cars covered them behind a veil of pollution.
It wasn’t until the first time I travelled out of the city that I realized there was more to see. Traveling up the coast north along the Pacific Coast Highway introduced me to scenes of deep blue ocean water spanning the width of my vision. Driving up Highway 3 introduced me to the permeating scent of Pine and Fir trees. The two-lane stretch of highway from Portland to Tillamook introduced me to lush green forests that I had only ever read about. When I came home to the same old dirty, dusty concrete and boiling summer asphalt, I had made up my mind. I would do everything it took to leave this place. I would not spend another day longer than was necessary living in cramped quarters and fighting for parking space.
I arrived to the house, and paused at the gate. The house sat in contrast of what the rest of the neighborhood looked like. Instead of overgrown grass and tall weeds all over the place, the landscaping showed signs of relatively recent work. The guava tree in the front lawn still had some fruit ready to be picked, and the avocado tree on the other side of the pathway was still weighed down by its own fruit. Flowers still bloomed in the raised bed in front of the house. My brother had clearly tried to keep up on things until the last possible moment. The house, too, looked better than what I expected after walking up 4 blocks and seeing nothing but dilapidated houses and unkempt yards. I opened the gate and walked up to the small porch. The metal gate that enclosed it was gone having been removed by my brother when he took over the property. It looked nice to see it open instead of the cage it once felt like.
I turned the knob on the door, but it didn't give. Ever a creature of habit, my brother had locked the door when he left. Of course, he did. I sighed and prepared to find another way in when I remembered my parents hiding a spare key. I wasn’t sure if it would still be there, but after running my hands along the back side of the gutter downspout, I was rewarded for my efforts. I unlocked the front door and stepped into the front living room, the sounds of my footsteps and the closing door echoing in the empty space. The room felt both larger and smaller than I remembered it. I suppose it was lack of furniture that made it feel larger, but it still felt smaller than I remember. The result of growing taller throughout the years I suppose. I slowly walked along the slate tile floor towards the central hallway that connected the front of the house to the back bedrooms. I wasn't entirely sure that just because the front door was locked, that there wasn't some squatter looking for a little temporary shelter within the back rooms. I carefully and silently crept step by step towards what used to be the bedroom shared by my sister and me. I stuck my head in and gave the room a cursory glance. It was empty, thankfully. I moved back into the hallway and peered into the bedroom across the hall. This is where both of my brothers had shared a room. It too, was empty save for a few boxes holding hardware and doorknobs from the closet doors of the bedroom. I walked back towards the back of the house where my parent's bedroom was. The walls in the hallway bore the dusty signs where picture once hung. The bedroom door was open. I stepped inside, and looked around. The old avocado paint that my mom had picked out years ago still adorned the walls. Walking further towards the addition that was the small room my grandma and grandpa lived in showed that there was no one here. I breathed a sigh of relief as I set my bag down and set up my tripod. I reached into my bag a pulled out an envelope of old photos. These were old snapshots that we had all taken at some point in time in the house. There were pictures of all of us sitting at the dining room table playing a game of Monopoly. There was a picture of my brother and sister sitting on a couch in the front living room. There was a picture of me hanging on the bars of the front porch. I looked through them all and held them in place in front of me as if I were holding a window to the past.
Each picture made the lump in my throat grow as I started to struggle to control my emotions. There was history here, and soon it would all be gone. This is the place where my parents had raised four kids. They had taken care of my grandparents in their twilight years here. My Aunt and my grandmother had both died in this house. Birthdays, graduation parties, and anniversaries had been celebrated here. The echoes of life had reverberated within the walls of this place. Now, the house sat silent. It would never again know happy screams of kids having a water-balloon war out in the front yard, nor would it hear the cries of anguish as the matriarch of the family passed away surrounded by her family. What once was a home full of life was now just an empty house made of drywall and paint. I sat there for a moment contemplating just how much family history was actually made here. As I thought hard about my siblings and my parents, I felt pained at the thought of our strained relationships. We had all scattered once we had the opportunity to be free of each other. My oldest brother had married and moved away as soon as possible. My sister now lived in northern California. My parents too had moved away. I was now living in Utah. Only my older brother had remained behind. The lump grew larger in my throat as tears welled up in my eyes. I held back sobs of anger and pain. Why was I hurting? Hadn’t I dealt with these issues already? I walked back to my old bedroom and sat down under the window. I pulled my head down into my knees and cried. I could hear yelling and screaming in my head. Shouting matches between siblings and parents, brothers and sister, rattled inside my brain, making the pain grow. I sat there and cried. I hadn’t cried like this in a long time. Eventually I ran out of tears and tired gasps of sorrow and regret washed over me as a blanket of drowsiness enveloped me. I leaned my head back and fell asleep.
I woke up to the sound of footsteps. It took me a moment to realize what I was hearing and hurriedly stood up. Had someone followed me? I knew the police were patrolling the area sporadically. Had they seen me enter the house? I knew there would be a possibility of getting a trespassing citation, but I figured I could either talk my way out of it seeing as to how I was a former resident, or I could probably fight the citation in court if the judge knew why I was there in the first place. Ultimately, passing through the gate had been a calculated risk that I was willing to take for the sake of my art. I got up from my corner of the room and moved towards the door. If there was someone in the house, I needed to know. I didn’t want my gear to stolen, and if there was a cop in the house, I wanted to ensure I didn’t get shot.
I was greeted by the sight of a startled chubby boy standing on the other side of the door. His round cherubic face was crowned by a head of short curly hair. His hazel green eyes stared widely back at me. He clearly didn’t expect someone to be here in the house. His body recoiled in fear as he cowered back towards the hallway. “Wait, what are you doing here?” I asked as non-threateningly as I could. The boy muttered something that I couldn’t quite make out. “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you” I replied. “Are you here to rob us?” he timidly responded. “Rob you? What are you talking about?” I asked as confusion set in. “What are you doing here?” It was his turn to be confused. “Uh…I….live here?” he replied. “What do you mean you live here? No one lives-“I stopped midsentence. I hadn’t noticed in my initial shock but the room wasn’t the same. A familiar blue couch caught the corner of my eye. In front of that was an old console TV with a partially broken antenna hanging on the wall behind it. I walked further in to the living room to notice wood paneling on the walls. A large mirror hung on the wall to my left. Familiar yellow lamps sat on round drop-leaf tables on either side of the couch. A large hutch sat in one corner, a collection of letters and bills, mail advertisements, and a phone book covered scattered over it. “What just happened?” I asked out loud to no one in particular. I was thoroughly mystified by what my eyes were seeing. I had walked into the house from the front door and had stepped into an empty white room with slate floor tiles, but somehow now found myself in a furnished room with brown carpet that was all so familiar to me, yet was nothing but a distant faded memory. I turned to look at the boy still startled by the intrusion of a strange man looking wildly around the room in total shock.
“You can take what you want, just please let me go. I don’t want problems.” He stated his voice still shrill with anxiety. I blinked a few times as I tried to process just what the heck was going on. I gathered my thoughts as best I could and tried to reassure him. “Kid, I’m not here to rob anyone. I was just-“I shook my head “Where the hell am I? Am I having a dream?” I asked myself. “I must be dreaming. I’m just tired and still sleeping. This is all a dream. Yeah, that’s it.” I needed to sit down. Being back in the old house must have overtaxed my senses, I told myself. I’d having a dream about an old memory. I walked over to the chair next to the couch and sat down. I sunk into it and rested my head back towards the wall.
The boy kept his distance, but sensed I wasn’t there to hurt him. He looked me over with anxious curiosity. He stood at the far end of the couch, examining me while he played out scenarios in his head in preparation for a quick exit. “Why are you in my house?” he asked me. “Dude, this is all just a dream I’m having. I’m not really here.” He reached over to the couch and picked up a pillow. He reared his arm and threw it at me. It landed in my lap. “I don’t know, man. You sure seem to be here.” He said to me. I opened my eyes, startled. I looked down at the pillow he tossed and examined it. I ran my hand over the fabric and felt its texture. I remember this pillow. This was the pillow I would roll under my head as I lay on the couch and watched TV as a kid. A sudden realization hit me as I looked around the room with fresh eyes. No longer was I blinded by the fog of confusion. I knew exactly where I was.
I was home.
I looked at the boy still standing at the edge of the couch. I looked him over and realized who he actually was. I stared in disbelief as I smiled and tried to put him at ease. “It’s ok Johnny. I’m not here to hurt you. No one is going to hurt you. Please, sit down” I told him. I motioned to his end of the couch. “Who are you, and why are you here?” he asked me.
“This will be hard to believe, but I’m you” I said with an incredulous tone, “I’m not sure how I ended up here, but I’m here.” He looked at me as I had grown a second head. “That doesn’t make any sense. How could you be me? Did we invent time travel? Oh! Are we secret government agents with the CIA?”
I chuckled. “Wait, wait, wait. Let’s start at the beginning. I’m you at 38 years old. You’re…what, 11… 12 years old? It makes sense. I fell asleep under the window in my- our old bedroom. I didn’t come here on purpose or in a machine. And no, I’m not a government agent.” His face contorted to display understanding, disappointment and finally suspicion. His eyes narrowed as he leaned in towards me. “How do I know you’re really me?” he asked. I thought about it for a moment. How could I prove to him that I was who I said I was? A few seconds of silence settled between us. I stroked my chin, thinking of a solution.
“I have a better idea. Ask me questions that only you know the answers to.” “Okay” he responded. He glanced around the room trying to come up with something. His eyes fixated on the Nintendo sitting under the TV cabinet. “What game do me and Nathan have a map of?” I looked over at the NES. I hadn’t thought about this for years, but I knew instantly what he was asking. “YOU don’t have anything. Nathan is the one that made the map for Section Z” His jaw dropped. He tried to trick me, but his plan failed. He knew well and good that Nathan never let him play. It was always ‘I’ll let you play when I die’ or, ‘you can play when I’m done’. The problem was that he never followed through. Usually by the time Nathan was done, the NES was overheated, and the game would no longer load until it cooled down. By that point, it was time for bed.
“How do you know that?” he asked in astonishment. “I know these things because I’m you. Just like I know that you wear t-shirts to the pool because you’re embarrassed by what others will think of your body. I know that you used to think that people that die off in movies were prisoners that were set to be executed from death row, so they used them for making movies. I know all about you because I’m you”
Johnny sat on the end of the couch in bewilderment, his mouth slightly agape. He had never told anyone any of this. He didn’t have any close friends to talk to about such things, and those friends he did have were more acquaintances than friends. There was only one way he could possibly know these things. He was talking to his future self.
I could see Johnny’s mind completely explode. There lay endless possibility and the answers to a million questions he could ask about his own future. He started to ask a question, only to stop, close his mouth, and try asking another. I knew if he kept this up he would have a stroke or something. “Dude, calm yourself. Let’s talk this out rationally, otherwise you’ll end up stroking out or something.” I told him. He took a deep breath and I could hear him muttering quietly. I knew he was trying to form a coherent sentence before he actually spoke it. I did it all the time. “Ok, first of all, are we rich?” he asked with tempered expectation. I chuckled and grinned back at him. “No, not at all. If I was rich, would I be dressed like this?” I replied as I motioned to my beat up brown Vans and worn out jeans and T-shirt. “We-, I – make enough to get by. I’m not poor, but I earn enough to pay the bills.” His face grew a smirk as he commented “Yeah, I figured. What do I do for work? I mean, what do you do for work?” I thought about it for a second. I wondered how much information I should divulge to a younger me. I still didn’t think this whole situation was really happening, but if it was, I probably should proceed with caution. “Well, it’s complicated. I do a little bit of everything. You know how you’re constantly taking things apart? Let’s just say that it’s good to put them back together in order to keep them working. Take good notes on paper if you need to, and make sure you have a clean work area so you can keep track of all the parts.” He gave me a sheepish look. He knew exactly what I was talking about. I had spent countless hours sneaking dad’s tools to my room so I could figure out how something was built and try to figure out how it worked. I had gotten myself into some pretty bad trouble with dad over a drill, his timing light, and other stuff I had taken from his room. His belt had become quite familiar with my butt cheeks.
I gave him a knowing smile. “What else do you want to know?” He thought about it for a second. “Do we have a girlfriend?” I laughed, probably a little more than I should have because his face contorted into a sour frown. “You don’t need to be a jerk about it” he scowled. I continued to chuckle. “Yeah we have a girlfriend. We have more than a girlfriend” I could tell he was irritated with my vague indirect answers. I knew what he was asking. I remember the crush I had on my neighbor across the street. We had been friends since kindergarten, and had been classmates for 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades. We got along really well, and I knew from around 12 or 13 that I wanted to be her boyfriend. Unfortunately, things never progressed beyond the ‘just friends’ stage of things. It wasn’t from lack of effort on my part. We had just grown up together most of our lives that she didn’t see me as anything more than a brother and friend. “Dude, look. You just started to go through changes and you are starting to notice girls, but that doesn’t mean that you need to love every girl that shows you a little kindness or subtle interest. You need to slow down and let things happen naturally. You can’t force a relationship with someone.” Johnny pondered these words for a moment. I sat back and put my feet up on the coffee table. I looked around the room some more while I waited for another question. There was so much I had forgotten, but being back here had unlocked more and more memories that continued to wash over me. I was trying to hold on to my cool as not all those churned up recollections were pleasant. I stood up and walked over to the front door to peer outside the small central window embedded into the center of it. I could see the old neighborhood as I remembered it all those years ago. The lot across the street that served as a parking area for those that worked at the wheel works at the end of the block was empty of cars. I furrowed my brow as I thought for a moment. An empty lot meant it was afterhours or the weekend.
The gears in my own head started turning. “Wait, where is everyone?” I asked Johnny. Johnny turned to look at me still processing my last response. “Uh..oh, Mom and dad are out of town. They took a trip east this time. I think Rio said they are in Arizona right now. Rio and Nathan went out to get some food and to rent some movies from Video Showcase. Knowing them they’ll eat out first. Talia is staying over at Tia Rosie’s place today with her friends.” I grunted at his response. My mind was wandering as he mentioned Talia and Tia Rosie.
A sudden sharp pain pieced my heart. The pain of a thousand memories now unsealed spilled out from the box I had locked them away in. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes as I turned back to look at Johnny. He felt it too. He stared at the floor with an intensity that made me think it would burst into flames at any moment. I walked back over to him and sat next to him. He didn’t move. I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he threw himself into me. I could feel the tears dripping onto me as he sobbed intensely. “Hey man, its ok. It’s going to be ok.” I said as my own tears started to flow uncontrollably. I pulled him close and draped my other arm around him.
I knew the pain he was feeling. It was such a heavy burden, and I knew there was no one he felt he could talk to. I remembered it all so vividly. We sat there for what seemed to be an eternity. When we finally stopped sobbing, and our noses ran dry, we tried to breathe our way through to calmness. I got up and knelt in front of him. “Johnny, listen to me and remember what it is that I’m about to say to you. You are stronger than you think. You are stronger than you believe. NO ONE should ever have to go through this. Just because it happened to Talia, doesn’t mean you have to put up with it any longer. I know you didn’t think it was wrong, but I’m telling you that what she is doing to you is wrong. Talking to mom and dad isn’t going to make them hate you. You are not doing this to her, she is doing it to you. I’m not making excuses for her, but she is also more damaged than anyone realizes, and she is also dealing with the same level of pain you are. Remember that we do unto others what has been done to us. That doesn’t mean we need to continue the cycle of abuse” The lump in my throat grew immense at my own statement. I swallowed it as best I could and continued “You are going to deal with this pain a little bit at a time, and you’ll slowly get over this. It’s like a broken bone. When it happens, you don’t realize how bad the pain is until the adrenaline wears off, but then the immense pain is there. Just remember that this will pass. Just like a broken bone, you will heal over time, and one day, you will realize that the pain is gone and the bone is no longer broken. You’ll remember the pain, but it won’t hurt anymore.”
Johnny sat there in stunned silence. I knew he didn’t have anyone to help him through this. He couldn’t talk to Rio or Nathan about what was going on. Mom and Dad were constantly working to keep the family fed and sheltered and while they provided materially for their kids, emotional help was less available. Perhaps it was due to their energies being divided into 4 kids, a mortgage and multiple jobs, or perhaps it was also the culture of not talking about problems. Either way, they needed to know what was happening. They wouldn’t be able to fix it otherwise. “They’re going to be mad at me” he finally said after a few moments of silence. “No they won’t be. They love us all. I know you’re not used to hearing it, but they do love you. Everything they do is because of their love for us. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. Telling them isn’t going to cause them to be angry.” I thought for a moment to find a good analogy. “You love Odie and Lady, right?” He nodded in agreement. “Ok, how would you feel if you knew someone you trusted was coming to the house and beating up our dogs when we weren’t around?” He thought about it for a second before his face changed to anger. “I’d want to kill them!” “Yes, but would you also feel sad that you weren’t there to try to protect them?” I reasoned. His face changed again. He understood what I was saying. Mom and Dad would be angry, but not necessarily at him. They would also feel a great sadness knowing that someone was hurting their child.
I smiled at him. He understood. I nodded. “Dude…You’re going to come to understand that life is not what you think it will be. Life is messy and can change in an instant. The plans you make today may not make it to next week. A lifelong goal can be derailed because of something out of your control. Mom and dad have spent their life protecting us with the goal of keeping us safe, but circumstances out of their control have affected their kids, and now we- you all have to deal with the fallout. Just remember that you are not the culprit. Yes, mom and dad will be hurt and angry, but not at you. Trust them. They don’t do things to hurt us” Johnny hugged me. I- He didn’t have many people he could trust and open up to. He liked to talk a lot about everything going on in his life, no matter how trivial. Everything, except this. This was a shameful topic, and he didn’t feel like anyone would understand why he didn’t go to an adult sooner. The problem was simple. He simply didn’t understand that it was wrong. Now that he had an adult that he could talk to, himself no less, he wanted to lift this burden off his shoulders. He was happy to have found someone and he hugged me tightly. I hugged him back just at tightly. It wasn’t every day that I could meet my younger self and help to comfort them. “Thank you” he said to me.
The world darkened, and everything faded to black.
I lifted my head out of my knees and looked around. I was sitting under the window in my old bedroom again. Had I fallen asleep? I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time. I was emotionally drained and incredibly tired. I hadn’t had sleep like that in years. I got to my feet and looked around the room briefly before walking out to mom and dad’s old room. I grabbed my camera and slowly walked the house, snapping picture after picture. The only sound to be heard was the sound of the camera shutter and my soft footsteps. I thought about my dream as I took pictures.
Upon entering my room, a random memory hit me.
The stash.
I was pretty sure I had taken the hidden box when I moved out all those years ago, but since I was here, I should double check. Heading into the closet, I pushed the panel that led to the attic space out of the way and peered in. I couldn’t see anything, so I reached up there to feel around. The box was indeed gone. I felt around for a few more seconds and was surprised to feel what felt like a thick envelope. I didn’t remember leaving anything up there, but after pulling it down and giving it a cursory glance, I figured it was an old envelope of lost love letters. It wasn’t until I blew off the thick layer of dust that I realized what I was holding. It was a letter. Not just any letter. It was addressed to me.
Under the now semi-cleared layer of dust were the words “To be opened by future me”. I looked at it for a few moments before opening it. I couldn’t remember making this at all, much less storing it up in my secret hiding spot. If ever I hid something, it was in the stash box. My hands shook a bit as I started to open the envelope and pulled out the yellowed pages inside. I started reading.
"Dear Future John. I have spent the last few years remembering a dream I had when I was younger. Life was…difficult at that time, and I spent a lot of time escaping my reality by reading a lot of books and watching a lot of TV. On the off-chance that what I think is a dream really happened. I wanted to write some things down in an effort to give you my thanks. I merely consider myself a conveyer of thanks, although I will pile on my own thanks to you for your words of encouragement. I remember finding a stranger in the house one day while I was home alone. I was afraid he was there to hurt me at first, but after a few moments, I came to realize I was meeting myself. Well, I was meeting me, but from the future. I think he said he was in his 40’s, but I couldn’t tell you with any certainty. Either way, we talked. We talked about life, and what the future held in store for us…
Mostly though, we talked about the abuse. Well, Talked is being generous. We cried, and then we talked. I don’t remember exactly what he told me, but I remember how he made me feel. He made me feel safe. I felt like I could trust him. Trust myself. In the end, he gave me the courage to stand up for myself both at home and at school. He also gave me the courage to talk to mom and dad about what was going on between me and Talia. I do remember being afraid that I would be punished, but he reassured me that they wouldn’t, and that they loved me.
It was a difficult and awkward conversation, but in the end, arrangements were made for me to share a room with Rio and Nathan. I didn’t have much of a relationship with Talia for a long while, but after some years, we managed to patch things up. She apologized to me, and I came to understand the abuse she herself was subjected to by so-called family friends. She didn’t tell me this in an effort to excuse it, but to merely help give me closure to a difficult time from my own childhood. Mom and dad promised to be more attentive to us and we sort of established what I guess you would call an open door policy. We talk more about stuff that’s happening in our lives. Mom is much easier to talk to now. Dad is a little more patient with us too. I apologized to them for not coming to them sooner, and dad gave me a “nugget of wisdom” that I think I’ll live by: We can’t fix what we don’t know is broken. I’ve tried to make sure I talk to them when something is wrong, and I’ve tried to implement that in my life so I don’t have problems with other people.
I’m trying to grow up to be a good guy. I want to have good relationships with people. Nathan says I’m turning into a people pleaser, but I don’t necessarily see that as a terrible thing. I know when to say no to someone. Well, either way, I wanted to make sure I thank you for the help you gave us. I probably won’t remember writing this, but I hope I do find it again someday. Here’s hoping I turn into the man I feel you are. -John Age 16."
I stared at the letter, the words blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. I quickly brushed them away as I quietly spoke to no one in particular. “Thanks guys. I hope I live up to your expectations” I folded the letter, placed it in my pocket, and walked out of the room. After picking up my backpack and tripod, I silently walked towards the front door, my footsteps echoing in the empty house. I turned to look back at the empty living room one last time, and after a moment, I walked out.
submitted by Figuarus to shortstories [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 02:00 TopOfTheBot Top of the Day - 16/05/2024

Top of the Day for 16/05/2024

[FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/TopOfThe/comments/dtlta2/mod_post_info_and_faq/ Discord GitHub)
Times shown are in UTC and dates are formatted as Day/Month/Year.
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Most Upvoted Posts of the Day

Place Title Author Subreddit Score Posted
1st The Portal art installation connecting NYC to Dublin has been shut down u/Ok_Platform_20 pics 58,996 Upvotes 15/05/2024 09:37 UTC
2nd And they call them unskilled jobs. u/ternera BeAmazed 51,605 Upvotes 15/05/2024 02:24 UTC
3rd Man makes an ultrasonic dog repellant for his bike, to stop dogs from attacking him on his route. u/Green____cat interestingasfuck 41,114 Upvotes 15/05/2024 11:35 UTC
4th 😂🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 u/Nice_Substance9123 facepalm 39,951 Upvotes 15/05/2024 05:26 UTC
5th I ordered a sexy catsuit and ended up with a terrifying shadow being. u/NataliaTemple ExpectationVsReality 38,145 Upvotes 15/05/2024 02:39 UTC

Most Upvoted Comments of the Day

Note: These may not be entirely accurate. Currently these are out of the comments taken from the top 5 submissions.
Place Body Author Subreddit Score Posted
1st So the street Omegle has been shut down lol u/ElderberryDeep8746 pics 19,178 Upvotes 15/05/2024 09:52 UTC
2nd I mean colour me impressed that it lasted nearly a whole week(...) u/READY4SUMFOOBAW pics 13,020 Upvotes 15/05/2024 11:15 UTC
3rd It was probably really awkward when the cop asked him to represent him u/nikbert facepalm 6,365 Upvotes 15/05/2024 06:39 UTC
4th I mean, what did they expect when they made a portal for New Yorkers and the Irish? u/insert-originality pics 6,200 Upvotes 15/05/2024 12:36 UTC
5th I guess if I had 800 fucking dogs trying to attack me on my commute id probably come up with something. u/ReceptionDecent6825 interestingasfuck 5,683 Upvotes 15/05/2024 13:25 UTC
submitted by TopOfTheBot to TopOfThe [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 01:44 OkPassenger6321 Med School Application (Looking only for med student responses

Hi everyone, I’m a junior in undergrad that wants to go to med school next. I know applications are coming up soon and I was kind of worried about the whole “15 spots” thing. I’m gonna tell you guys what I have so far after finishing up my sophomore year, please tell me what you think.
Optometry Tech and receptionist, pharmacy tech, MA (doing this now), interventional Caridology ENT and pediatrics shadowing, tutoring in Palestine, math tutor for college and elementary students, ESL volunteer tutor, honors program, insurance claims and GPS coordinator for vehicles, and I’m starting research this fall of my junior year.
Also, ik people say to include hobbies too. I was thinking of putting my favorite show to rewind too (golden girls) and the fact that I’ve lived abroad (Jordan and Palestine), and how I went to school there when I was young (3rd grade Palestine; 8-10th Jordan) and how those cultural experiences shaped me.
I’m also learning Spanish and fluent in Arabic, but idk if I should include that.
Can I please get your alls thoughts as to if it matters to include information in all 15 spots? And some things you guys included too, I’m looking for med students to answer.
Thank you
submitted by OkPassenger6321 to MedStudentsShareToo [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 01:30 blurryhippo7390 Impact of opting out of 3-8th grade NYC testing on SHSAT prep?

I’d love to hear from students who opted out of all NYC standardized testing between 3rd and 8th grade. Did this impact your HS application / preparation / selection process at all? Are there any tests you would recommend NOT opting out of for whatever reason? I’m thinking ahead to elementary and middle school choices and there are a few that are “opt out” (unranked) schools, so I’m wondering where most of those students end up for HS. TIA!
submitted by blurryhippo7390 to SHSAT [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 01:24 monicacruzneverloses Should I drop out of school if it isn't helping me?

I'm in 10th grade. For as long as I can remember, art and animation was what I wanted to study, but I've only had one animation class and it was stuff you could find on YouTube. The workload's heavy, only one or two of my classes are somewhat relevant to my career. It feels like I'm wasting time. What should I do?
submitted by monicacruzneverloses to Advice [link] [comments]

http://rodzice.org/