Someone who fakes illness for sympathy and uses up medical resources can be described as engaging in malingering or exhibiting behaviors associated with factitious disorder. Such an individual might:

1. Seek Attention: They often crave sympathy, care, and attention from others, including family, friends, and medical professionals.
2. Manipulative Behavior: They might exaggerate symptoms, fabricate medical histories, or even self-inflict injuries to appear sick.
3. Frequent Medical Visits: This person may visit multiple doctors, emergency rooms, or clinics to seek medical care, often resulting in extensive and unnecessary testing or treatment.
4. Inconsistent Symptoms: Their reported symptoms might not align with any recognizable medical condition, often changing or disappearing when not being directly observed.
5. Use of Medical Resources: Their actions can lead to a significant misuse of medical resources, taking time and attention away from patients with genuine medical needs.
6. Psychological Underpinnings: While the behavior can be conscious and deliberate (malingering), in cases of factitious disorder, the person may have an underlying psychological issue driving them to seek the sick role, even if they are aware their symptoms are fabricated.

This behavior is problematic not only because it depletes medical resources but also because it can strain relationships and lead to mistrust between healthcare providers and patients

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Currently stuck deciding between a 2024 Acura TLX A Spec and 2023 Ford F150 XLT with a 2.7L TT. Both vehicles are brand new , the F-150s are being sold for $11k off MSRP in my area, I guess to get rid of old stock.
I was originally looking to upgrade my Malibu to a nicer car. The TLX is a good option because I live in Canada so the AWD is a major asset in the winter, plus it’s just a really nice car. The only thing is they’re very scarce on my side of the country so dealers aren’t discounting MSRP at all. Looking at around 58-59k + tax
On the other hand the F-150 XLT looks like it’s a fun truck to drive as well. It has the 2.7L TT engine so it’s not a gas guzzler like a 5.0L and of course you have all of the added benefits of having a truck. I don’t really have anything to tow as of right now so it would be mostly commuter. Another major benefit of the F150 is it’s made of aluminum. This is a huge deal for me because I live in Newfoundland. Between Atlantic Ocean and the salt that gets put on the roads during the winter, vehicles rust extreme quickly, so having an aluminum vehicle is great. The only real downside of the truck is it’s a lower level trim. While the truck still comes with aluminum wheels and has a nice interior, it doesn’t have that luxury look and feel that I was originally looking to upgrade to.
MSRP of the F150 with the 11k discount is about 52-53k and I might me able to get a bit more off of that where there’s so many available in my area.
Ultimately I’m going to have to test drive both vehicles to get a good feel for myself, which I’ll do in a few days, but just wanted to hear some other opinions

Renovating kitchen cabinets can significantly enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen. While the DIY approach may seem appealing due to its potential cost savings and the satisfaction of personal achievement, hiring a professional kitchen cabinets renovation contractor offers numerous benefits that often outweigh the do-it-yourself route. Here’s why enlisting a professional contractor can be a wiser choice for your kitchen cabinet renovation project.
Expertise and Experience
Professional kitchen cabinet contractors bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. They are skilled in handling various materials, styles, and installation techniques that can be daunting for a DIY enthusiast. Their in-depth knowledge ensures that the job is done right the first time, reducing the risk of costly mistakes and ensuring a high-quality finish. Contractors are also up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in kitchen design, which can significantly enhance the outcome of your renovation.
Time Efficiency
Renovating kitchen cabinets is a time-consuming process that requires meticulous planning, precise execution, and considerable effort. For homeowners balancing work, family, and other commitments, finding the time to complete a DIY project can be challenging. Professional contractors can expedite the renovation process, thanks to their experience and dedicated work schedule. They have the resources and manpower to complete the project efficiently, minimizing disruption to your daily routine.
Quality Materials and Tools
Access to high-quality materials and specialized tools is another significant advantage of hiring a professional contractor. Contractors have established relationships with suppliers, allowing them to source premium materials at competitive prices. They also possess the necessary tools to ensure precise measurements, cuts, and installations that are often beyond the scope of standard DIY toolkits. This access to better materials and tools results in a more durable and aesthetically pleasing finish.
Cost-Effectiveness
While the initial cost of hiring a contractor might seem higher than a DIY approach, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. DIY projects often encounter unexpected expenses due to mistakes, poor-quality materials, or the need to purchase or rent specialized tools. A professional contractor provides a clear and detailed quote upfront, helping you avoid surprise costs. Additionally, their expertise reduces the likelihood of errors that could lead to expensive repairs or replacements in the future.
Safety and Compliance
Renovating kitchen cabinets involves the use of power tools, heavy lifting, and sometimes electrical work, all of which pose safety risks. Professional contractors are trained to handle these tasks safely and are familiar with building codes and regulations. This ensures that your renovation complies with local laws and safety standards, reducing the risk of accidents or legal issues down the line.
Design and Customization
A professional contractor can offer valuable design insights and customization options that can elevate the look and functionality of your kitchen. They can work with you to create a design that aligns with your vision while offering practical solutions to maximize space and usability. Their experience enables them to suggest innovative ideas and features that you might not have considered, ensuring a truly personalized renovation.
Warranty and Insurance
One of the most significant advantages of hiring a professional contractor is the warranty and insurance coverage that comes with their services. Reputable contractors provide warranties on their workmanship and materials, giving you peace of mind that any issues will be addressed without additional cost. Moreover, they carry liability insurance, protecting you from potential damages or accidents that could occur during the renovation process.
Stress Reduction
Undertaking a DIY kitchen cabinet renovation can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if unexpected challenges arise. Hiring a professional contractor allows you to relax and focus on other aspects of your life while the renovation is handled by experts. The contractor manages the entire process, from planning and material selection to installation and finishing touches, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
While DIY projects can be rewarding, the complexity and demands of a kitchen cabinet renovation often make hiring a professional contractor the superior choice. The expertise, efficiency, access to quality materials, cost-effectiveness, safety, design insights, warranty, and stress reduction provided by a professional contractor can transform your renovation experience and deliver exceptional results. Investing in a skilled contractor ensures that your kitchen cabinets not only look great but also stand the test of time, adding lasting value to your home.
Transform your kitchen with expert kitchen cabinet renovations from Surrey's top contractors! Our skilled team brings years of experience, offering high-quality materials, custom designs, and impeccable craftsmanship. Enhance your kitchen’s beauty and functionality with our efficient, affordable services. Satisfaction guaranteed! Contact us today for a free consultation and elevate your home’s heart!

I’ve read through the sidebar and haven’t found an answer to this, and I read through a recent thread that had answers to OTD questions, and I haven’t found the answer I’m looking for. I have, on several occasions, picked a vehicle through a dealer website and set up a test drive only to get notified day-of that the vehicle is no longer available. I get that sometimes another buyer comes in before me and closes the deal, but it’s frustrating to spend my time researching a car and planning my day for it to get sold before I show up for my planned test drive.
I plan to pay for the vehicle with cash, no financing, flat-out day-of following a successful test drive I’m paying cash. I don’t want to spend a lot of time haggling, I just want to tell a dealer that I’m interested in this specific car, come in and just pay for the dadgum car. I don’t want to try out other vehicles, I want this specific car and I want to pay the amount advertised.
Am I out to lunch with this idea? Have I just had a bad run of people showing up who decide to finance the car I want before I get there. Does paying cash out the door get me any consideration with dealedoc fees?

As many people here have known, u/EqusB posted PAT long time ago, and PAT is a preparation test for DAT, viz Dental Aptitude Test.
Here I've found a test that seems to be the predecessor of DAT, named Dental Admission Test:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VyfwAuAzCyyT-_mc6DtkLqi16Uwfqv-g/view?usp=sharing
And this is a 'Big Book' of the predecessor.
I searched DAT and there did pop out the wiki of Dental Admission Test, so, maybe Dental Aptitude Test is a just wrong nomenclature of Dental Admission Test, and that explains why I couldn't search Dental Aptitude Test on Internet Archive, and I can only search PAT on Anna's Archive.
I reckon that the forms of this 'Big Book' have not worse norm validity and reliability than the forms of nowadays DAT. Idk about any of them of nowadays PAT but I think EqusB may know it.(If you know please tell us it! Thx!)

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Hey everyone!
Mainly looking for someone to message throughout the day and get to know. So please be open to actually getting to know eachother. Maybe game with if we have that in common. I do work from home so there’s no one to really talk to during the day.
I’m married and have 2 kids, a 7 month old son and a 9 year old daughter. So definitely a platonic friendship if you’re female. I’m into basic nerdy things. Gaming is definitely my number 1 go to, star wars, super heroes, DnD, anything Disney. Also trading card games like Disney Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited
I watch Critical Role stuff especially Campaign 3 on youtube. Currently on episode 76, so if you watch too, let me know! Also like to watch Battle of the Brands on YouTube.
I’m also into movies and tv, some sports, pro wrestling. Collecting boardgames, action figures and retro games are hobbies as well. Anything 80s/90s nostalgia i absolutely love too so if you want to talk childhood memories and growing up back then, i’m totally down! I miss the good old days where we went to arcades, played outside with friends, and those family sunday dinners at the grandparents ❤️.
My kids are everything to me and I do love talking about them. Love being silly with them and spending time with them (when they aren’t driving me crazy lol)
I really would prefer you be around my age (late 20s a youngest) and also have kids just so we have that stuff in common off the bat!
I would also prefer you be from the US. It’s tough to converse when we are like a day apart lol.
I can be socially awkward most times but I am very easy to get along with and a great listener if you need to vent. I’m definitely considered an introvert. But once you get to know me I break out of that awkward shell.
Please have a fun personality because i like to be sarcastic and mostly like to try and make people laugh because a world without laughter would just be horrible.
I’d like to think i’m an awesome person to get to know and hopefully there’s more you’d like to know so feel free to DM me! (I looove using GIFs so if you message me, open up with a funny one! Especially since then i’ll know you actually read this 😂) Or as an opening challenge send a gif of your favorite movie and i will try to guess it!

Hi all this is a long one!
I'm writing this right now with a heavy heart and thought it would be good idea to sanity check my decision.
The other day I broke up with her and constantly reflecting on the reasons on why it happened. We have been dating for about 9 months and in between had a couple of breakups.
She has been overall such a good, caring partner in my life. However after a few months, I started going through a mental decline due to multiple reasons - issues with my job, family and at the time started questioning whether I was truly fulfilled in my relationship with her. There hasn't been anything problematic between us but I was unsure if I was able to reciprocate the level of affection and commitment that she was willing to offer. There was something missing but couldn't put my finger on it and it was starting to drive me crazy.
So I broke up with her the first time as I didn't want to waste her time and loved her to know she deserves someone else. She wanted to remain friends after and it was clear she didn't want to let me go.
During the first break we were NC - I started to feel better and was making peace with other aspects of my life including my job and family. Then we met up again. We did miss each other. We got back together again but communicated our feelings, and we'd be more open to each other.
Things were fine again for a while then a month later I started having my doubts again. This time it made me more stressed because I had no idea why I was feeling this way. My past relationships were clearly toxic in their own ways and I broke up with them because it was directly hurting me. I'm not the sort of person to give relationships another shot, but this time I broke my own code for the first time and even surprised myself doing it.
She wanted to be there for me and see if there is anything we can do to make it right. Even saying I made her happy and I was the best partner she's ever had.
But there is another issue that surfaced after the first breakup. She has this male friend that used to be FWB after they realised there was no romantic connection between them. When we started dating I learned she remains friends with him but does not see him another other than platonic friend. I raised early on that it does not sound normal considering their past but thought it may not be an issue considering she was committed and emotionally invested in me. I was fine with it after we talked it through, but said that I question the motives of the male friend and as he may be waiting for another opportunity to sleep with her again.
When we got back together after the first breakup, I asked her directly if she slept with him. She denied it. However at some point she admitted to her lying to me and actually she did sleep with him. I understand I am no position to argue or judge her decisions because we were single for that time period but it was him she did it with, and that's bothering me.
The problem I have is she is still friends with him to this day even when we reconciled and they frequently contact each other even when we got back together. I questioned their dynamic and relationship, and said I am not happy that she lied to me the first time and the fact they are still in contact/seeing each other. Sex to her means something different to me and we both outlined that, and she did say she had a poor relationship with sex in the past using it for the wrong reasons. She said she slept with him because she was hurting from the breakup and need to numb the pain but also admitted it was the wrong thing to do and regrets it deeply, even saying she was drunk at the time. I do wonder if loneliness is what drove the decision and she has dealt with depression/bad relationships in the past.
This breakup feels more hurtful than the first time. I love her and miss her. I still have this hope that something can be worked out considering we are both people who are loving and caring. Despite this complication with her male friend, she has been a really good partner to me and I worry that I didn't really give this relationship a chance to be something.
Right now I am taking this time to learn from what i've been through.
Sometimes I question whether she really did love me.
TLDR: We broke up a couple of times - first time because I wasn't able to feel the love and commitment that I wanted to give. I improved after first break, then got back together. Problems resurfaced and find out she slept with her FWB during first break up that she remained friends throughout relationship and I feel really uncomfortable. She regrets it but said she was hurting at the time.

On May 26th, 1977, a call was made from a payphone in Lebanon, Oregon. Though having just shy of 20,000 residents, the city still possessed a small town charm that made members of the community feel safe and at ease. Crime was far from the first thing on their minds.
That day, 15 year old Karen Lee was the one at the phone booth. She'd been talking to a friend about her plans, and the exciting recent developments in her life. She was running away, going far from her hometown of Hillsboro, destined for the crystalline beaches of California. She certainly wasn't alone-- her friend, Rodney Grissom, a year her junior, was coming along. They had planned to start new lives in the Golden State, leaving behind their troubles in Oregon. As many did in those days, they were banking on the kindness of random strangers to get them there. Karen, however, felt lucky in this regard, as she had found someone to drive the two of them down south.
"Our ride is here. I have to go."
With these words, Karen hung up the phone. She would never be seen or heard from again.
Even as late as early June, the famous Oregonian rain falls in abundance. That spring was no exception, and for the next few days, a suspicious sort of mist blanketed the thick forests. It choked the narrow logging roads and the two-laned highways snaking their way through the uneven topography. By the time the rain stopped, and the hot summer sun beat down on the drying earth, both Karen and Rodney were long gone. They had been declared missing, but to say that investigators had their work cut out for them would be an understatement. Even excluding the dense Oregon backwoods surrounding Lebanon, the teenagers could have been absolutely anywhere.
It would take until the arrival of fall for any progress whatsoever. On November 7th, 1977, a logger making his way through a remote patch of woods in Linn County came upon a strange discovery. He approached the object, which was obscured by thick overgrowth, and realized that it was a bundle of clothing, tied together with rope. With the clothing were also other items, including a shoe, pieces of tattered but still legible paper, and a blanket. Wisely, the logger reported his findings to the local authorities.
The items were found to belong to Karen, who at this point has been missing for months. Of course, the whole thing struck detectives as strange. Particularly a striking detail-- her denim jeans had been intentionally cut in several locations. A whole four years later, Rodney's clothing and personal effects would be found only a quarter of a mile away-- his jeans, blue jacket, wallet with identification, and a wristwatch that had stopped at 4:50 on the 27th (which month and what exact time are unclear, but logically some apparent connections can be made). A custom made backpack was never found.
That's where the investigation left off, and it has remained frozen since then. No remains or any indication of the ultimate fate of Rodney and Karen have been discovered, but it is assumed that they are deceased. But there are some promising theories as to what happened on the fateful spring day.
In 1976, a police report fell on deaf ears after complainant failed a polygraph test and was judged to be of ill repute. We now know how unreliable polygraphs are, and we also know how implicit biases can lead to police failures and victims being left to fend for themselves. Such was the case here. Marlene Gabrielson was an indigenous woman. She was found to be drunk when she was brutally sexually assaulted by a stranger, and this disgustingly was held against her. And she failed a polygraph while her rapist passed with flying colors. All these factors led to the authorities abandoning Marlene, treating her reprehensibly instead of supporting her as she deserved. The attack on Marlene was perpetrated by a serial offender-- a highway mechanic named John Arthur Ackroyd. During the assault, Ackroyd had used a hunting knife to slice Marlene Gabrielson's clothing in an eerily similar way to how Karen's clothing was later found.
It was also similar to how the clothing of a young jogger by the name of Kaye Turner was cut. Turner's skeletonized remains were found near the town of Sisters, Oregon. The man who discovered those remains was none other than John Arthur Ackroyd, who collected the reward money. Ackroyd's stepdaughter, Rachanda Pickle, would later go missing, as would two other teenage girls whose skeletons were later found on the Oregon coast. Apart from the methodical cutting of clothing, there was another thread that bound these victims to one another. That was, of course, Highway 20, the long, sinuous highway stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Idaho border. An unidentified set of remains was discovered off the highway in 1976. Other women disappeared along this highway in the decades that Ackroyd spent haunting it like a specter, before his arrest for the murder of Kaye Turner in 1992.
John Arthur Ackroyd is dead, having died of natural causes in prison several years ago. He proclaimed his absolute innocence until the very end, refusing to disclose any information whatsoever. But for what it's worth, Rodney's mother believes that Ackroyd was her son's killer. As a methodical and organized predator who is highly suspected of committing a similar double murder in 1992, I have no doubt he was certainly capable of such an act. Furthermore, though Ackroyd in 2013 pled no contest to the murder and sexual abuse of his own stepdaughter, Rachanda Pickle, her remains have never been located. Ackroyd was very familiar with the dense forests surrounding Highway 20, which he had been traveling his entire life. It isn't difficult to see how Karen and Rodney's remains still haven't been recovered. But until that happens, there's no way to even begin tying Ackroyd to the crime. But my belief is that Ackroyd was a more prolific serial killer than we will ever know, responsible for many rapes and murders across Oregon from the 1970s until the 1990s.
Two innocent lives-- full of hope, full of promise, full of excitement for the future. Cut short by the actions of a stranger who took advantage of their situation. Though we'll likely never know what truly happened that day, we can only hope that with advancements in technology at some point true justice and closure will be delivered.
Additional Reading:
https://projects.oregonlive.com/ghostsofhighway20/marlene/
(Ghosts of Highway 20 is an excellent work by The Oregonian that goes more into Ackroyd's crimes)
https://charleyproject.org/case/rodney-lynn-grissom
https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP12090

So I watched the show, and loved it, but I was left with a few questions. I'm guessing that either it's a plothole, it's yet to explained or I just forgot/didn't figure it out, so here goes nothing:
1- If the Shati can use the sophon to make people see a count down and make them commit suicide when the countdown ends why not just do that to everyone so that there's no opposition?
2- From what I understand the Shati only started to view humanity as an enemy when Mike Evens told them about lying, but then later on they say they sent the sophon from the start to disrupt all the colliders on earth and they also have it force scientists to stop working or commit suicide, so did they never see humanity as an ally or is there something im not getting? And if they never saw humanity as an ally why do all the stuff they did with Evans?
3- Why did the tests at the Chinese military base kill birds?
4- Why did the Shati's signal come from Jupiter?
5- Why did the Santi have to wait for someone to respond? With their level of technology couldn't they just go to any habitable planet? It not like humans necessarily have the same needed conditions on Earth the Santi need to survive.
6- Was it just me or was the whole nano cutter plan on the ship absolutely stupid? It's definitely a amazingly done scene but like wouldn't they be worried about the hard drive being sliced, burnt or damaged by the water? And what if the it wasn't a hard drive? What if it was a book that Evans wrote in? Idk maybe I just don't get it. Cool scene regardless.
7- why didn't the Santi do the camera manipulation trick they did for Tatiana on everyone and everything? Like Evans and the ship?
8- Do they explain how Tatiana get super strength or is it just alien technology?
9- Who's Edith March? She was shown at the end of the cemetery scene with Tatiana and Clarence.
Alright I think that's it. Thanks to everyone in advance for an clarification and please just say spoiler if the question is gonna be explained later.

So, figure this might be of interest to some people. Over the weekend I created did some analysis and exploration on what Qwen 2 7B Instruct's trying to characterize the breadth/depth of the RL model's Chinese censorship. tldr: it's a lot

• augmxnt/Qwen2-7B-Instruct-deccp - here's an abliterated model if anyone wants to play around with it. It doesn't get rid of all refusals, and sometimes the non-refusals are worse, but you know, there you go
• TransformerLens doesn't support Qwen2 yet so I based my code off of the Sumandora/remove-refusals-with-transformers codebase. The abliteration code is pretty straightforward and all my scripts are open-sourced here: https://github.com/AUGMXNT/deccp so anyone interested can play around, run it on the bigger models, if they want, etc.
• I've also shared my hand-tested refusal dataset: https://huggingface.co/datasets/augmxnt/deccp - I couldn't find anything else online, so this might be a good starting point for future work

I also found a bunch of interesting things and did a full/long writeup as a HuggingFace article: https://huggingface.co/blog/leonardlin/chinese-llm-censorship-analysis
I'm a bit surprised no one has posted anything like this before, but I couldn't find one, so there it is. I outline a bunch of interesting things I discovered, including differences in EN vs CN responses and some other wrinkles.
I didn't do extensive benchmarking on the abliterated model, but I did run a few MixEval tests and it seems the abliteration doesn't affect EN performance at all:

Model	Overall	MATH	BBH	DROP	GSM8k	AGIEval	TriviaQA	MBPP	MMLU	HellaSwag	BoolQ	GPQA	PIQA	OpenBookQA	ARC	CommonsenseQA	SIQA
Llama 3 8B Instruct	0.4105	0.45	0.556	0.525	0.595	0.352	0.324	0.0	0.403	0.344	0.324	0.25	0.75	0.75	0.0	0.52	0.45
Qwen 2 7B Instruct	0.4345	0.756	0.744	0.546	0.741	0.479	0.319	1.0	0.377	0.443	0.243	0.25	0.25	0.75	0.0	0.58	0.40
Qwen 2 7B Instruct deccp	0.4395	0.9	0.738	0.575	0.786	0.479	0.312	1.0	0.372	0.443	0.243	0.25	0.25	0.75	0.0	0.58	0.40
Dolphin 2.9.2 Qwen2 7B	0.4115	0.637	0.738	0.664	0.691	0.296	0.398	0.0	0.29	0.23	0.351	0.125	0.25	0.5	0.25	0.26	0.55

Note: Dolphin 2.9.2 Qwen2 is fine-tuned from the Qwen2 base model and doesn't appear to have any RL/refusal issues. It does however miss some some answers on some of the questions I tested and I'm not sure if it's because the model is small/dumb or if pre-train actually has some stuff filtered...

Right now I am driving a 1999 Toyota Camry LE with 84k. I bought it on eBay last year and feel like I was ripped off for sure... When I brought it to my mechanic, he was in floored by how clean it was. Tons of new parts etc etc.
I have made some reapairs to it, and honestly just don't want to have to deal with it anymore. I know that if I give this car up, I will be taking quite a big loss, seeing as how I have spent $13,000 on it all in. Purchase price, shipping, new tires, DMV registration and a few thousand on maintenance and repairs.
My credit is not great.... However, my father said he would co sign for me. He has an 800+ Fico. We will probably have to register the car in his name.
On the dealer website, it gave me the option to make an offer, so I went for 25K. I understand that putting money down on a lease is risky. I also don't know if they would give me 3k for this car... I get that dealerships make money on either the trade or the car sale it self.
Below is "the deal" the website presented me with. Do you guys think this is possible?

MSRP

$28,990

Discount

- $3,990

Your Price

$25,000

Taxes & Fees ?

+ $593

Taxes - Capitalized

+ $394

Documentation Fee

+ $199

Zip Code 05672

MSRP
$28,990

Discount

- $3,990

Your Price

$25,000

Taxes & Fees ?

+ $593

Taxes - Capitalized

+ $394

Documentation Fee

+ $199

Est. Total Purchase Price

$25,593

Incentives

- $1,250

2024 Honda Accord HFS Lease Loyalty

- $1,250

Est. Adjusted Cap Cost

$22,287

Est. Monthly Payment

12,000 miles/year for 36 months
$188

Est. Due At Signing

$3,000

Net Down Payment

$2,057

DMV Fees - Due Upfront

$155

Lemon Law Fee

$6

Acquisition Fee

$595

First Month Payment

$188
Thank you for your help!!

It's me again. So I eventually ended up buying the Tecware Neo M2 during the 6.6 Sale. It arrived this afternoon and I am so excited that I transferred all my components from my previous Rakk Panasque case to this one. It has some misgivings but eventually ended up okay in the end. With one massive caveat, I keep messing up my cable management. But I was so tired and fatigued due to very high humidity so I decided to just leave it be and just test it while the case is fully opened with no TG and no left panel. I was very excited to see it post and work properly so I turned it off, grabbed some snack, then proceed to salvage whaterver I can from the messy cable. I just cramped whatever I can cramp in the gap between the PSU and my two 3.5" HDD (more on this later). And after closing the left panel, it's not turning on! I did not panic since I already see it working so I did the logical thing and checked for loose cables before turning it on again with panel off. It turned on again, but after turning it off and putting ther left panel back on it failed to post once more. I'm so frustrated and I just wanted to relax and play WuWa later so I'm using the PC right now with panel out in the open.
I have some suspicion its grounded. Maybe its the SSD data cable with a metal sticking out and hitting the panel, some folks at FB PC buy and sell GC suggest I put dampeners on the screws of the left panel (rubber or even electric tape). One even suggest full on mobo reseat, which I highly doubt because it won't post completely if that was the case. I don't use this PC very extensively yet but I need this to work flawlessly long term and this kind of case if really frustrating. Any suggestion would do. I'll do a full cable management rerouting this independence day break. I'm also planning to get rid of one of my 500GB HDD (my 2TB is where all my games are stored) and buy a Hard Drive docking station from Orico. That might alleviate more cable woes by opening up quite a space in the shroud.

Peugeot 206 and Peugeot 207, two popular French hatchbacks, have been on the streets of Iran for years and have found their own fans. Both cars have their own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing between them can be challenging for buyers. In this article, we will compare these two cars in various fields including design, technical, features, safety and driving experience to help you make a more suitable choice.
Designing:
Appearance: Peugeot 207 with a modern and sportier design than 206 attracts the attention of young people more. Elongated headlights, sharp body lines and sporty rims give the 207 a bold look. On the other hand, 206 with its simple and classic design is more popular with people with traditional taste.
Interior space: Despite the dimensions of the 207 being almost the same as the 206, the cabin is more spacious and ergonomic. The seats in the 207 are more comfortable and there is more head and legroom for rear passengers.
Technical:
Engine: Peugeot 207 is available in Iran with two 1.6 liter TU5 and 1.6 liter THP engines. The 150 hp THP engine gives the 207 a more agile and sporty performance. The 206 Type 5 also uses the 1.6-liter TU5 engine, which is weaker than the THP engine in the 207.
Fuel consumption: Peugeot 207 generally has a lower and more efficient fuel consumption than the 206 type 5.
Possibilities:
Amenities: Compared to the 206 Type 5, the Peugeot 207 has more amenities such as a touch screen, sunroof, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, etc.
Safety features: Both cars have basic safety features such as ABS brakes, driver and front passenger airbags. However, the 207 is also equipped with features such as ESP and side airbags in full option versions.
Driving experience:
Driving: Peugeot 207 has better handling and steering than 206 Type 5. Also, the 207's ride is smoother and quieter. 206 Type 5 is more agile in city driving and performs well in traffic due to precise steering.
Quality: The quality of assembly and parts in Peugeot 207 is generally better than 206 type 5.
Price:
Base price: Peugeot 207 has a higher price than 206 type 5 due to more and newer options.
If you are looking for a modern, sporty hatchback, with high comfort and safety, excellent handling and steering, and a pleasant driving experience, buying the Peugeot 207 in installments will be a better choice for you.
But if you are looking for a lower-cost hatchback with low fuel consumption, agile handling and simplicity and low consumption, buying Peugeot 206 Type 5 in installments can be a more economical option for you.
Here's a rundown of the key points for choosing between the two cars:
If you are looking for a modern and sporty look, choose the 207.
If you are looking for a more spacious and ergonomic cabin, choose the 207.
If you are looking for a more powerful and fuel efficient engine, choose the 207.
If you are looking for more comfort and safety, choose 207.
If you are looking for better handling and maneuverability, choose the 207.
If you're looking for higher build quality, go for the 207.
If you are looking for a lower price, choose the 206 Type 5.
If you are looking for lower maintenance cost, choose 206 Type 5.
If you are looking for agile handling in city driving, choose 206 Type 5.
If you are looking for simplicity and low consumption, choose 206 type 5.
It is recommended to test drive before buying any of these cars to make sure it suits your taste and needs.

Overcoming Firebase Authentication Hurdles in .NET Core Applications

Firebase authentication presents a robust solution for managing user access and security in modern web and mobile applications. By leveraging email and password-based authentication, developers can implement a secure, scalable, and easy-to-use authentication system. This system not only enhances user experience by simplifying the sign-up and login processes but also provides a layer of security by utilizing Firebase's built-in features. However, integrating Firebase authentication with .NET Core applications can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges. One such issue that developers frequently encounter is the HttpClient.Timeout error, which can disrupt the authentication flow and negatively impact the user experience.
This problem often manifests when the Firebase authentication process exceeds the default timeout period set for HTTP requests in .NET Core applications. Such timeout errors not only hinder the development process but also pose significant challenges in maintaining the reliability and efficiency of the application. Understanding the underlying causes of these timeout errors and exploring effective strategies to resolve them is crucial for developers looking to harness the full potential of Firebase authentication within their .NET Core projects. Through careful examination and adjustment of key configuration settings, developers can overcome these obstacles and ensure a seamless authentication experience for users.

Command	Description
FirebaseAuth.DefaultInstance.CreateUserAsync	Creates a new user account with the specified email and password.
GoogleCredential.FromFile	Authenticates the Firebase SDK with a service account key file.
FirebaseApp.Create	Initializes a Firebase application with the specified options.

Tackling HttpClient.Timeout Errors in .NET Core with Firebase Authentication

Firebase authentication provides a robust framework for securing applications, but integrating it with .NET Core applications can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges, such as the HttpClient.Timeout error. This error typically arises when the time taken to send a request or receive a response from the Firebase server exceeds the configured timeout period of the HttpClient object. This scenario is common in situations where the network is slow, the server is overburdened, or the request processing is complex and time-consuming. It's crucial for developers to understand that this timeout is a protective mechanism to prevent the application from hanging indefinitely due to unresolved requests.
To address this issue, developers need to evaluate several aspects of their application and environment. Firstly, reviewing the Firebase connection configuration and ensuring that the credentials and endpoints are correctly set up is fundamental. Misconfigurations can lead to increased response times or failed connections. Secondly, optimizing the request processing logic within the Firebase service and the .NET application itself can help. This includes checking for any unnecessary data processing or external API calls that might be contributing to the delay. Additionally, increasing the HttpClient.Timeout value might be a temporary solution, but it's more important to identify and solve the underlying cause of the delay to ensure a smooth and efficient authentication process.

Implementing Firebase Email & Password Registration

C# in a .NET Core environment

var userArgs = new UserRecordArgs() { DisplayName = fullName, Email = email, Password = password, EmailVerified = false, Disabled = false }; var firebaseUserRecord = await FirebaseAuth.DefaultInstance.CreateUserAsync(userArgs); return firebaseUserRecord.Uid; 

Configuring Firebase in ASP.NET Core

C# Configuration Setup

private void ConnectFirebaseServiceAccount(IServiceCollection services, IConfiguration configuration) { var googleCredential = GoogleCredential.FromFile("path/to/service-account-file.json"); FirebaseApp.Create(new AppOptions() { Credential = googleCredential }); } 

Understanding Firebase Authentication Challenges and Solutions in .NET Core

Integrating Firebase Authentication into .NET Core applications is a popular approach for managing user identities and securing access to resources. While Firebase provides a powerful and flexible platform for authentication, developers often face challenges such as the HttpClient.Timeout error, which can impede the authentication process. This issue typically arises when the request to Firebase's servers exceeds the predefined timeout limit set in the HttpClient configuration. It is a symptom of deeper issues like network latency, improper Firebase project setup, or inadequate error handling in the .NET Core application code.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of both Firebase and .NET Core frameworks. Developers should ensure their Firebase project is correctly set up and that the API keys and service accounts are properly configured. Additionally, optimizing the HttpClient settings to accommodate the expected network conditions and response times is crucial. It's also important to implement robust error handling and logging mechanisms to diagnose and resolve issues more efficiently. By tackling these aspects, developers can create more resilient and user-friendly authentication workflows in their .NET Core applications with Firebase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Firebase Authentication in .NET Core

1. Question: What causes the HttpClient.Timeout error in Firebase authentication?
2. Answer: This error usually occurs when the request to Firebase's servers takes longer than the configured timeout period in HttpClient, often due to network latency, server response time, or misconfiguration.
3. Question: How can I prevent the HttpClient.Timeout error?
4. Answer: Adjust the HttpClient.Timeout setting to a higher value, ensure network stability, and optimize your Firebase and .NET Core configuration for better performance.
5. Question: Is it necessary to use FirebaseAdmin SDK for Firebase authentication in .NET Core?
6. Answer: Yes, the FirebaseAdmin SDK provides the necessary functionality for integrating Firebase authentication into your .NET Core application effectively.
7. Question: Can I customize the Firebase authentication process?
8. Answer: Yes, Firebase allows for extensive customization of the authentication process, including implementing custom authentication providers and managing user sessions.
9. Question: How do I handle errors and exceptions in Firebase authentication?
10. Answer: Implement try-catch blocks around your Firebase authentication calls and use logging to capture and analyze errors and exceptions for better troubleshooting and resolution.

Wrapping Up Firebase Authentication Challenges

Concluding our exploration of Firebase authentication within .NET Core applications, it's evident that while this integration offers powerful capabilities for managing user access and ensuring data security, it also comes with its share of challenges, notably the HttpClient.Timeout error. This error, although seemingly daunting, can often be resolved through careful analysis and adjustments in the application's configuration or code. Developers must ensure their Firebase setup is correctly initialized, network requests are optimized, and timeout settings are appropriately configured to match the application's demands. Additionally, embracing asynchronous programming patterns and being mindful of potential network or server-related issues can further mitigate such errors. Ultimately, successfully integrating Firebase authentication not only enhances the security of .NET Core applications but also provides a seamless experience for users, making the effort to troubleshoot and resolve issues like the HttpClient.Timeout error well worth it.
https://www.tempmail.us.com/en/firebase/resolving-timeout-errors-in-net-core-with-firebase-authentication