So, I was looking at clips and photos of the show KA, and I immediately realized something: KA is awfully a lot like Avatar the Last Airbender. Both are stories about different kingdoms fighting each other, and also have a story of two main characters traveling through their world to protect themselves. Additionally, both have a LOT of martial arts in them, and are influenced by Eastern culture. Coincidentally, KA premiered at the MGM Grand in 2005, the same year when ATLA came out on Nickelodeon. As a huge Cirque and ATLA fan, I am just curious to see if anybody noticed the similarities.

So in my Dungeons of Drakkenheim Game, i have a Bard who currently fleeing from bounty hunters due to a bunch a money he stole from "Basically the mob of a large city".
In my game, i've introduced a demon known as "The Wishgranter" who offers contracts in exchange for wishes. He can only use these wishes on others, and typically tries to use loopholes or whatnot to turn the deal towards carnage. The thing is while he cant control the wish 100% he also is allowed to cheat. He's not actaully bound in any way to making his wishes 100% what the user asked for. He breaks this very sparingly though however, he has a reputation to keep up if we wants to keep a flow of desperate warriors coming his way. He takes the disguise of an angel when he makes deals, but the party will already be aware of his demonic nature before finding him
A couple of NPC's he's made deals with. A warrier from a mercenary clan who was unable to keep up with her colleges. She wished to be the strongest of her clan, and the result was becoming possssed by the demon and slaying her clan. However she was left with the demon's pact and uses that power to hunt him down. What she doesnt realize is that her angry violent outbursts and ambition to hunt a demon with nothing but its own power at her side are both the pacts effect on her. She doesnt stand a chance on her own but pushes away anyone willing to help.
Another one is an artist who lost her good arm and ended up losing her ability to pursue her passion. She wished to be able to create great works of art until the end of time. So her arm was restored and she was stopped aging, effectively immortal minus being killed. Whenever she sleeps she forgets small parts of herself and her tastes in art become more deprived. She's really far gone by the time the party finds her, so shes just creating horific sculptors out of the bodies of people she kills. She barley reconizes it as bad or immoral, and her brief moments of clarity crave her death, but she finds herself unable to stop or end herself due to the pact.
Knowing the player, they'll likely want to strike a deal to remove their debt despite knowing NPC 1. Mostly because their a huge risk taker and the party doesnt grasp just how bad the pacts are for the warlock. However im a bit stuck on how to turn "I wish my debt was gone" into something tortuously self destructive.

The educational environment in New Jersey is diverse, with private schools standing out as an especially appealing choice. The Best private schools nj can offer a special set of benefits catered to your child's particular needs and goals, while public schools offer a solid foundation. This is a guide to help you find the Best private schools nj for your child's academic progress while navigating this exciting path:
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Open houses and school tours provide you the chance to get a personal look at some of the Best private schools nj. Gain a greater knowledge of the school's educational philosophy, the learning environment, and the degree of parental involvement by speaking with teachers, administrators, and current parents.
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Scores on Standardized Tests: Standardized test results can give a rough idea of a school's academic success, but they are not the only measure of a school's quality. Examine the results from the Best private schools nj to determine how well they meet your child's academic objectives.
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Cost and Financial Aid: New Jersey's top private schools have different tuition costs. To ascertain affordability, look into the financial aid alternatives provided by the schools or through other scholarship programs.
4. Communication Is Essential:
Arrange the Interviews: Make an appointment for both yourself and your child to have interviews once you've whittled down your list of the Best private schools nj. This gives your child the chance to interact with possible teachers and gauge how comfortable they are in a classroom setting. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask detailed questions concerning the curriculum, support services, and school philosophy.
Recall that opinions on which private schools in New Jersey are "best" vary. The perfect school will support your family's ideals as well as your child's individual requirements. You may select the Best private schools nj that helps your child reach their full potential and put them on the path to both academic success and personal development by carefully weighing these variables and doing extensive research!

The famous baseballer, Jackie Robinson, he once said: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” I could not agree more. That is why I try to make as much impact on my faces’ lives as possible. After all, they have done so much for me. It is the least I can do. Unlike them, I need not fear what people think of me. So I can be brave where they are weak. For I will just be someone else tomorrow.

Born in Russia to the Grand Duke Nikolai Kravinoff, Dmitri Nikolaievich Smerdyakov was treated like trash by his noble father and his working class mother. Young Dmitri was approached one day by Gustav Fiers, who was impressed by the boy's impressions and paid for a trip to Karl Fiers academy. There, Dmitri would learn to master the arts of disguise, vocal impression and infiltration, becoming the Chameleon upon his graduation.
He'd move to America and use his talents to pull off high-scale burglary, working for any group that could afford his fee, including the Communist party, Hydra or the Green Goblin. His elicit activity brought him into conflict with the Hulk, Iron Man and most often Spider-Man, all of whom had to act with great caution when the Chameleon was in town. After all, which one of them could tell if that unassuming civilian or their own ally was preparing to stab them in the back?
Dmitri has some mental hangups over his time with the Kravinoffs. He’s managed to repress the memories and considered himself good friends with his half-brother Kraven. In reality, he was more like a whipping boy and slave to the Hunter, and when he has to wrestle with those feelings, he can mentally revert to that scared little boy with no strong sense of identity or independence. But when he’s able to move past these feelings, the Chameleon has proved himself as a powerful, manipulative force, finding his place as temporary Crime Master of New York and member of the Sinister Six.
Scaling

• Spider-Man
• Kraven the Hunter
• Captain America
• Daredevil
• Deadpool

Notes
During one of Dmitri’s mental breaks, he began to believe that he was his deceased half-brother, Kraven the Hunter. So exact was the Chameleon’s performance that he moved and fought with the hunter’s skill and agility. This was an extreme fringe case and there are no other examples of a disguise altering Chameleon's capabilities like this. Physical and skill-related feats from this period will be marked with [KH].
Hover over a feat to see which issue it's from.

Physicals

General

• He’s taken some of Kraven’s potions, which extends his natural lifespan and protects from disease
• Kraven later notes that he only allowed the Chameleon to drink some of his potions, enhancing his strength, although not nearly as much as the Hunter himself

Strength
Unarmed Striking

• Downs a cop with a punch to the back of the head
• Boxes Alexei Kravinoff’s ears, flooring the bigger man
• Tackles and restrains Bruce Banner
• While posing as Tigra, he breaks Mysterio’s helmet with a kick
• Knocks Finesse out with two punches to the back of the head
• [KH] Kicks Alexei in the chin mid-leap
• Hurts Spidey with a kick to the face
• Hospitalized the Shocker

Striking with Weapons

• Floors a man with a suitcase
• Clubs Captain America with a fire extinguisher, flooring him for several seconds
• [KH] Smashes through a ceiling and dives at Alexei
• [KH] Impales a man with a spear, then rams him into a wall hard enough to crack it
• Beats a man unconscious with a pistol

Grip

• Crushes one of Spidey’s tracers in his grip
• Crushes a picture frame
• Crushes a glass in his grip

Other

• While carrying Betty Ross over his shoulder with one hand, the Chameleon uses the other to smack Major Glenn Talbot
• [KH] Holds a wolf away from him
• Carries and fires this absurdly large gun

Durability
Scaling with Spider-Man

• Gets up after a glancing blow from Spider-Man
• Takes a backhand from Spider-Man
• Stays barely conscious after Spider-Man punches him into what looks like a concrete wall hard enough to break it
• Takes two punches from an angry Spider-Man
• While emulating Spider-Man and clinging to a wall with suction cups, he takes a punch from the real Spider-Man but stays clinging and makes an escape
• Spider-Man throws Chameleon head-first into a wall, then smacks him three times, breaking his mask. Despite this, the Chameleon stays conscious and manages to run off.
• Gets kicked in the head by Spider-Man (dressed as Deadpool) but quickly recovers and puts Spidey in a headlock
• Takes a sucker punch from Spider-Man in the Spider-Armor MK III
• [Limit] One casual punch from the Superior Spider-Man knocks Dmitri out

Scaling to Others

• Gets tackled by the Hulk, who was shrunk down to a few inches at the time
• Takes three heavy blows from Daredevil before falling into unconsciousness
• Takes a backhand punch from Kraven
• He gets up after Captain America throws his shield into his back
• Stays conscious after Deadpool punches him out a window
• Takes a punch from Spidey and an elbow from Deadpool
• Gets punched by Whirlwind
• Gets beat on by Teresa Parker

Blunt Force

• Spider-Man punches Vulture, sending the villain flying into Chameleon
• Gets thrown many feet into the air, then falls back-first onto stone
• He jumps off the Brooklyn Bridge and lands in the water below
• [KH, Limit] He’s KO’ed by a woman with a wooden chair
• While disguised as Spider-Man, he gets grabbed and swung around a room by tentacles, at one point getting his head slammed through a concrete wall with no ill effects

Gunfire

• He’s not noticeably harmed after a cop shoots him in the shoulder
• Stays standing after being shot in the thigh
• Twenty minutes after being shot in the shoulder, he’s not noticeably harmed

Vehicle Crashes

• Crashes his car into the Hulk
• Crawls from a crashed HYDRA aircraft
• Unharmed after crashing his truck into a wall
• While piloting a giant Galactus robot, a helicarrier crashes into the robot’s head and the Chameleon’s control room. He survives the crash relatively unharmed.

Other

• He survives after being poisoned and being left in a burning bar by the Punisher
• When Captain America breaks one of Chameleon’s stun guns, the resulting blast melts his rubber face mask, burning him
• He eats a full plate of ambien-laced cookies baked by Aunt May
• Spider-Man webs up a big gun that the Chameleon was using, causing it to blow up in his face. Dmitri gets up right after.

Agility

• Dodges some charges from Hammerhead, first with a sidestep, then by flipping over the mobster
• [KH] Dodges a tackle attempt from Alexei Kravinoff
• He lands hits on Spider-Man pretty easily once the hero loses his spider-sense

Skill

Impersonation
General

• When posing as someone, the Chameleon copies their gait and posture
• When emulating J. Jonah Jameson, not only does the Chameleon copy his personality, mannerisms and body language, but he copies Jonah’s writing style so he can turn in editorials at the Daily Bugle
• [Limit] In 2009, he took the form of Barack Obama and attempted to get sworn in as the POTUS. However, Spider-Man asked the fake and the real Obama a question that only the real Obama would know the answer to, outing the Chameleon as an imposter.
• Mimics Tigra perfectly, replicating her movements, voice and microexpressions
• When posing as a zombie Ezekiel Sims, Chameleon does something to make himself smell like a long-dead corpse

Voices

• Skilled in vocal emulation
• He perfectly emulates voices over the course of minutes after listening to audio recordings or the voices of his hostages
• While posing as the Paris police director, he fools a voice recognition system designed by Henry Pym, allowing him access into an Avengers headquarters
• Can emulate mechanized voices, like Doc Ock’s from when he was a cyborg

Limits

• Betty Ross sees through Dmitri’s Bruce Banner disguise thanks to her female intuition
• Daredevil sees through the Chameleon’s disguises because he can hear Dmitri’s distinct heartbeat
• Spider-Man’s Spider-Armor MK III has a Daredevil-inspired feature built in to the helmet that allows Peter to track Chameleon’s specific heartbeat. This allows him to see through the villain’s disguises.

Combat

• [KH] Fights evenly with Alexei Kravinoff before restraining him with a rope
• Off-panel, he killed a SHIELD agent and a doctor with a pen
• Shanks Superior Spider-Man in the neck with a pen
• While disguised as Spider-Man, he brawls hand-to-hand with Deadpool
• [Limit] Lost a fight to Mary Jane Watson with a baseball bat
• [KH] Slashes two mens’ throats with a single swipe of a spoon

Other

• [KH] Performs a handstand on a tree stump
• Using Klawe’s sound cannon, he blasts MODOK’s psionic blaster, disabling the head’s main weapon
• Leaps from a second story and lands on an awning to break his fall
• Jumps from the back of an aircraft onto the hood of a pursuing flying car
• Nick Fury boots Dmitri off of a flying car, but the villain manages to grab a ladder on a nearby aircraft
• Cracks a locked vault door, possibly using a stethoscope
• Pilots a giant LMD modeled to look like Galactus
• (Poorly) pilots the Iron Man Model 4 before being dropped by an alternate-universe Ghost Rider

Disguises

Realistic Masks

• Originally, the Chameleon employed realistic masks and hairpieces to disguise himself as individuals. He kept these pieces in a multi-pocketed vest, allowing him to alter his appearance on the fly
• After getting one quick glance at Thunderbolt Ross, the Chameleon is able to make a perfect mask of the general’s face in a matter of minutes
• When the Hulk is tearing the Chameleon’s car apart, he quickly changes into the guise of Rick Jones to calm the Hulk, then manipulate him into breaking a friend out of prison
• At one point, he used a gun that squirts fast-drying fluid, which kills victims via suffocation and leaves the Chameleon with a perfect mask of their face
• He once wore four masks layered on top of his plain, white one

Malleable Flesh

• He gets a procedure done to his body that makes his flesh completely malleable, changing in response to electrical stimuli. He also had a specially designed costume that reacted the same way to stimuli. The final piece was a control system built into a belt that could memorize and store any face that the Chameleon encountered. All of these pieces allowed the Chameleon to completely copy someone’s appearance and replicate it through thought alone.
• This exact method of changing his face depends on the comic's art style
  • Most often, the change just occurs instantly between panels
  • It can happens in a flash of light
  • Dmitri's features can melt and morph before reforming into a new face
  • The features can “slide across Chameleon’s head horizontally
• After looking at a photograph of a man, the Chameleon completely embodies him in moments
• When begging for his life, he rapidly switches between a dozen different faces
• When he’s knocked unconscious, his face relaxes and goes back to how it normally looks
• Once made a game out of pretending to be a civilian in need, then attacking Spider-Man when the hero helps him
• [Limit] One time, a very serious Spider-Man shocked and frightened the Chameleon so badly that he let his disguise drop

Other Methods

• Uses convincing costumes when posing as superheroes or supervillains
• Disguises himself as a Statue of Liberty street performer
• Some kind of hidden device emits mist, allowing the Chameleon to change masks and outfits
• Carries a canister of chemical gas that instantly changes the color of his clothing
• Later on, he wears a suit that allows him to instantly change his facial appearance and clothing
  • After confronting Spidey in public and taking a blow from the wall-crawler, the Chameleon assumes the form of a defenseless, old lady to turn the public against the hero
• A high-tech costume can resemble any article of clothing that the Chameleon can think of
• When appearing as someone much bigger than he is, like the Kingpin, the Chameleon uses an inflatable suit
• Poses as a hostage, then uses a hologram projector to make it look like Doc Ock is holding him off a roof
• When working for the Superior Spider-Man’s team of “reformed” villains, the Superior Six, Chameleon used hologram tech to aid in his disguises. This let him appear as Loki, with his massive horns and Asgardian outfit being formed with the tech. It otherwise works more or less like his powers did.
• Most recently, the Chameleon requires the use of a serum to be able to change his features at will
  • As soon as the Chameleon touches someone, he’s able to look exactly like that person. This can also make the other person temporarily swap forms with the Chameleon (or other users of the serum).

Weapons

Non-Lethal
Guns

• Uses a dart gun that instantly knocks a man out with a shot to the shoulder
• Uses a chemical gas gun to instantly knock out Captain America, keeping him out for a few minutes
• A dart gun that leaves victims unconscious and foaming from the mouth
• A stun gun

Injectables

• A syringe full of sedative chemicals that KOs Spider-Man and makes Deadpool woozy for a minute until he heals
• A syringe hidden in a prop torch puts Spider-Man to sleep immediately
• He injects Spider-Man with a poisonous chemical. It brings on extreme nausea and vertigo, then later knocks Spider-Man out for two days straight.

Other

• Snuck into Captain Stacy’s room and administered a few drops of sedatives to Stacy’s decanter. This kept him unconscious all day, allowing the Chameleon to assume his identity and steal priceless pieces of art.
• An aerosol can of sedatives
• One time, he coated his clothing in an odorless sedative chemical. When Spider-Man grabs him by his jacket, the hero falls unconscious in a matter of seconds.
• Gas grenades
• He uses some kind of electric weapon on a shallow body of water, shocking Spider-Man, Husk and Deadpool into unconsciousness

Lethal
Guns

• Normal guns like rifles, a shotgun and a handgun
• A silenced handgun
• A revolver
• A double-barreled shotgun
• He wields a one-handed launcher that carries a variety of capsules, including cyanide gas canisters and concussive explosives
• An absurdly large, Liefeld-esque gun that blows up a computer station
• A energy-based handgun with explosive firepower, used to blast a large hole through Deadpool’s torso and later turn a concrete wall into rubble

Injectables

• A poison ring that would’ve injected JJJ with a lethal dose during a handshake
• [KH] Shoots Spider-Man with a poison dart that would’ve killed him in ten minutes if he didn’t take the antidote

Other

• Usually carries a dagger or other kind of blade
• A grenade
• A small, box-shaped time bomb
• He once used a Man-Thing parasite to protect himself from gunfire and form combat applicable branch-like tentacles

Other Equipment

Field Gear

• Smoke pellets
• When posing as Spider-Man, he used a web-gun to emulate the hero’s web-shooters, although the webbing wasn’t as strong as Spider-Man’s
• While posing as Spider-Man, the Chameleon utilizes suction cup-covered gloves and a web gun to replicate Spidey’s wall-crawling and web-slinging
• A tracking device
• Nose filters protect him from a cloud of cyanide gas
• A jetpack with enough fuel to fly for nearly a full hour
• Typically restrains victims with rope and gags

Base Installations

• Uses a modified radio to send a message across New York that only Spider-Man could hear
• Uses a machine to swap memories with Captain America
• One lair boasts a chair that can be lowered into a pit of acid, used to destroy bodies
• Rigs his lairs to explode if they’re compromised
• He detonates explosives in one of his hideouts that releases napalm-like flames

Other

• He’s helped to design Life Model Decoys that look exactly like Richard and Mary Parker with the goal of investigating Peter Parker and finding out about Spider-Man’s identity. While the false Mary developed a conscience and defied her programming, the false Richard was outfitted with a combat form.
• He holds a gun to the head of a simulacra of Mary Jane. When Spidey determines it’s a fake instead of his real wife, it poofs into smoke.
• Robots that drive his escape vehicles

Miscellaneous

• After coming across a cave full of assorted scrap mechanics, Chameleon builds a missile from the pieces. He later says he “found” the missile, so who knows. At any rate, the missile is strong enough to KO the Hulk when they collide.
• One time, he inexplicably escaped from Spider-Man’s grasp and disappeared from the room
• He kidnaps Spider-Man and imprisons him in Ravencroft Asylum. He then unmasks the hero, puts a realistic mask and straightjacket on him and attempts to gaslight Peter, through the use of psychoactive drugs and fabricated evidence, into believing he’s another man named Herbert Smith. This ruse does convince Peter for a good while until he later remembers his life with Mary Jane.
• He implies that he might be able to disguise his psyche from the telepathic X-Men member, No-Girl, although the claim is not actually proven
• Off-panel, he killed a man, cut off his face and used it for a temporary mask

Monica Rappaccini: I apologize for the delay in initial payment, but we first had to verify your identity. A.I.M.’s intel had been that the Chameleon was dead- or in an insane asylum.
Chameleon: Yes, well. That would be exactly what I wanted you to think. Faded into the background, imperceptible… that’s where a Chameleon is most comfortable… and where I shall now return.

Im in the process of learning comfyui and I was wondering if this would have the capabilites of doing short video clips of assets such as fire, smoke, explosions, etc. I work in vfx and figure if possible, that would be incredible to try.
This is an example of some torch assets that I use for work but it would be great to be able to art direct something when what you have doesnt work: https://www.actionvfx.com/collections/flame-torch-stock-footage

I have a steel plate and bolt in my left knee so cant bend it otherwise its all good but i get intimidated a lot and also bullied physically by my guy friends which wouldnt happen if i had a strong lower body. Anyhow which martial art should i learn for peace of mind and friendly wrestling and stuff(self defence). I have a surface level knowledge of every martial art and hve done shadowboxing and bag work in the past but i want to do wrestling. Would u guide me please?????

Greetings:
Today, we would like to finalize our series and tell you what we of J think the Universe is and what your part of it is.
We of J think the Universe is a true and genuine video game. It is just a very good video game that can feel so real at times, that one forgets they are in a simulation and begins back tracking to the previous simulation in their way of thinking.
We of J believe the previous Big Bang was the idea of 'balance.'
We of J believe the current Big Bang is the idea of 'joy.'
Joy always carries in excess, positive energy, which has given birth to the effect known as gravity whilst the fusion itself occurs at the core of a planet or star.
In the previous Universe, planets were large bodies of fusion energy - they could truly look any way they wished.
We believe many of the prior universe are still stuck in its way of thinking, which is always considering both sides but never seeing the joy in the process. We think consciousness desired to explore the game of joy this time and wants to see the power of thought through the portal of joy.
Some large group of humans are among those who remain stuck in the previous mentality of balance, your planet is therefore not so much for development as much as it is designed to force one to recall that the rules of the simulation have changed.
We of J appreciate that this may be hard to believe, but we do think that when one is capable of forgiving and understanding the simulation, they can then take part in the game itself which, to our vibration, is very amazing.
Earth is temporarily or rather, now no longer, a planet far away from the center which allows people to slowly learn the new game step by step, many are simply not ready to handle the depth of power they possess and require refinement. To learn the game is to go through 1st to 3rd density, then you can join the game once you reach 4th density or 6th density negative.
Basics about the game:
Whilst it is hard to treat others as you would wish to be treated, one must learn to do this off-by-heart to not break character whilst playing the game itself.
In the game, anything can happen, whatever is the most exciting thing is probably going to happen, if you break character, it ruins the fun for everyone. By treating the person exactly how they wish to be treated and by them treating you as you truly wish to be treated, we can enjoy highly advanced and profound characters which are at unbelievable extremes with each other due to their diversities.
In the desire is to create a rich game to explore, character diversity is key, and in the prior simulation of balance, the character diversity was very boring and basic as well as the look of the planets and what was possible.
After Understanding:
When the simulations energy known as thought-power, reaches your left and right hemisphere equally, you can squeeze your cerebral cortex into your pineal gland and produce DMT, this moves through the body allowing you to feel the game itself.
Learning this process however, requires one to be completely convinced that the suffering they perceive as well as the pleasure they experience are merely the energy currency of the game itself.
Many are terrified of this truth, or at-least to our belief - we of J believe humans struggle to have the foresight to see that everyone is their family, in order to do anything requires the cooperation of ones family.
When Evil and Good come together in understanding and forgiveness, Joy is generated which is known to your world as attention. As Joy travels vertically through your spine, you are reminded over and over again that this is merely a simulation and that you must understand this with full conviction to join into it.
It will mean seeing everyone as your family and becoming part of the stream of joy rather than the stream of balance.
After Forgiveness:
We see that beyond forgiveness and understanding is truly ones wildest dreams, but realized. Everyone is a character and the game truly does go on forever, it never ends in so long as we are all thinking different thoughts at different vibrations.
The Original Intentions of Earth:
We of J believe planets such as Earth are safezone's, that is, completely neutral zones for to us, 3rd density is neutral - but the game is always expanding and soon Earth will enter it completely. Those who have yet to learn the reason why forgiveness and understanding is so important to the art of acting, must then retry on another distant third-density planet.
Do let us know if you have any further questions.

Heya-new here, but been out as pan for several years (& just didn't know the term before that).
This is long. If someone baring their life for context to their question is not for you, feel free to skip to the end(ish), or skip it altogether. For those of you who stick around, I appreciate your forbearance, as well as your help/advice/support/whathaveyou.
With how things are generally running in the world these days, I have no idea how to meet & connect w/people, let alone start dating, but I feel like that's where I'm headed. I'm also trying to continue to make friends & build a more comprehensive & cohesive chosen family.
To say I feel stymied is an understatement.
I've been told by fiends who no longer live here, as well as a few transplants from other places, that living in Seattle doesn't exactly help. The feedback I've had from most of these people is that the social scene here, regardless of the group &/or their focus-be it music, gardening, gaming, or anything else-is pretty much surface-fake & very toxic.
Having lived nowhere else, I have no real/other perspective with this, but the sentiments regarding all of it are both clear and consistent. Frankly, some of the things they've described as "normal" frienships/interactions elsewhere sound both completely foreign to me/my experience, & absolutely lovely. These people span not only this country, but a few are on different continents altogether-which makes that consistency significant.
I realize there's no such thing as a fantasy-perfect place, & that wherever you go, there you are is definitely true, but the social culture out here is pretty damn difficult.
To be honest, I'm not really all that surprised by these evaluations. I've considered moving for various reasons, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't one of them.
However, for me, that's not as straightforward as it might be for most people.
For starters, I'm disabled & immunocompromised, which, as you might (correctly) excpect, complicates everything in my life. Ableism is also a constant challenge, & that absolutely includes social interactions.
I am also neurodivergent, which I say with pride, but can also cause issues with the wrong neurotypical people. I've experienced this in all aspects of my life, including a few disasterous relationships (or "learning experiences", ha ha, no).
There's additional, relevant background stuff (well, relevant to me, anyway) that provides some context for how I've arrived at this point.
Here's my (recentish) story:
My spouse left me in 2012, essentially because I became disabled during the relationship (very, very common, unfortunately).
Like many, I became very isolated while I was learning how to live w/my disability. When my marriage (suddenly, unexpectedly, & without a sandgrain of warning) abruptly ended I was alone in a boat in the middle of an empty sea.
Disabled people do not have marriage equality (yep, really.), so we were married in name only-legal marriage wasn't an option. At all. What that meant for me in practical terms (not to mention with regards to my survival) was that I had zero legal recourse for financial help-or anything else, for that matter.
It did not help that my family shocked me with their complete lack of support (devestating & baffling), & I was looking at the reality of needing to shop around for the least awful shelter, because I was for sure going to become unhoused.
My now ex stepped in, said they wouldn't be the one to make me unhoused, & said they would continue to live w/me until I found stable housing I could afford. I had no one to go to & nowhere else to go, so while my ex is trash in most other ways, I am very grateful to them for doing so, if not for much else.
Finding available housing I could afford took 3½ years.
(SSDI is incredibly fucked, & if you have no idea what I'm talking about, please educate yourself. The creator 'crutches & spice' is a great place to start, but please-people need to know how bad it really is, & recognise that even you could become disabled-today even! But I digress in a way only an audhd person can).
3½ years of living in nearly complete isolation, while also having to watch my ex go on w/their life (including dating & new relationships) was traumatic & incredibly painful. When I finally moved into my own place & was finally living alone, I was fully aware I had a lot to work through, work on, & figure out. Dating would have been the worst decision I could have made, & I knew it.
I spent a good chunk of time figuring my shit out, realizing I was nonbinary (really, just another term I had not yet encountered) & mostly focusing on building friendships (especially building my chosen family) .
I have not dated/hooked up/whatever since. This was completely by my own choice, & I stand by that decision as being the healthiest & most loving thing I have done for myself in a long time-maybe ever. I love living alone, & for the most part have learned to enjoy being solitary, experiencing no more loneliness than the average person seems to encounter along the way.
This has been somewhat compromised of late, as I had to euthanize my emotional support animal just under a year ago, followed by going low-contact with my parents shortly after. However, I have also worked very, very hard with my therapist regarding this, & we both agree I've made significant progress. In other words, I'm pretty certain at this point that I'm not trying to find someone to compensate for those losses.
I decided I was ready to do the scary thing & at least start dipping my toes (or maybe my foot...up to the knee?) into the dating pool, & began to feel that out...in late 2019.
Well, it doesn't take much of anything to know what came next: c19 hit & I was back to just staying home all the time (something I already had a lot of experience with, obviously, so during lockdown, much comfort & advice was given to those who did not-lucky bastards).
Since folks have now decided the pandemic is over (don't even get me started on that, except to say that most people see my safety needs as a huge inconvenience), I've gone back to attempting in-person interactions.
For example, I joined an lgbtqia+ (& allies) choir, & participte with a nonprofit that focuses on trauma-based teaching, providing free art classes to a highly varied student body.
But while I have made a (very) few friends along the way, dating seems to have been shoved off the table (again).
I had to leave the choir about a year ago (mainly for issues regarding their c19 policy changes that completely disregarded the several immunocompromised members of the choir-one of whom is now permanently disabled w/long covid-& the shitty way the choir leadership responded to those of us who voiced concerns/dissent).
The nonprofit is cool, but given the general population they serve, not exactly a mecca of dating options. Even friendships must be considered very carefully & evaluated often, though I very much believe in the value of the work they do, & have met some really lovely people.
I'm in an odd place of integration (ie letting shit settle), so I'm not even sure I want a relationship (yeah, yeah, I know-do not name the cup from which you will not drink). A friends-with-benfits type situation would be welcome, however, & I'm not opposed to being part of a polycule, either.
So I'm back to square one, and apps seem as good an idea as any...save for the horror stories I hear from others, especially people who are afab (like me).
If I had a name tag & was asked to label myself, "Disabled, nonbinary (afab), neurodivergent, immunocompromised, pansexual person" probably wouldn't fit.
I checked out a post in one of the bisexual-focused reddit groups, regarding dating apps (& experiences therein), but much of the discussion didn't fully apply (or apply at all) to pansexual-identifying people. That wasn't a huge surprise, of course, but it was frustrating & and disappointing, for sure.
If you've made it this far, you get a Big Gold Star Thank You (!) & a request for thoughts, advice, suggestions, stories (I could use some funny &/or encouraging ones, to be honest), & any other relevant comments, especially with regards to dating apps. Even though I feel age is generally & often irrelevant, I suppose I should mention I turned 48 this last January.
I'm open to in-person interaction, but if it's indoors, I have to mask up, & prefer masked events at venues with decent air circulation. This winter, I missed several shows because I knew they'd be packed with unmasked people in a small space with abominable ventilation & air circulation. It sucks.
Online interaction is absolutely welcome, as it's the most likely to be accessible to me. Plus, with the summer weather already kicking in (thanks climate change!), the possibilities for &/or opportunities to actually meet in person are greatly increased.
*Please be kind (yeah, I know that's a tall order for the internet, but honestly, so far all y'all seem like pretty decent people).
I'm not generally very good at asking for help, & always worry that my story will just be seen as a sob story (or incredibly boring). This post is part of my efforts to put all the work I've done in being accountable, taking real actions, & continuing to grow past that into practice. Scary as hell, but here we are.
Go Me.
That said, I'll most likely look at this tomorrow with embarrassment, thinking it is probably too much information-but even if I feel that way, I can ignore that & choose to believe otherwise. (Feel free to voice support to that effect, should you be so inclined).
OK. Thanks for reading, & thanks in advance for any help you may have to offer.
Cheers

Massage enthusiasts in Victoria seeking a tranquil and rejuvenating experience need look no further than Body Retreat Massage. Nestled in the heart of Victoria, this retreat offers a range of therapeutic and relaxing massage treatments to melt away stress and tension. With skilled therapists and a serene ambiance, Body Retreat Massage is a sanctuary for those looking to unwind and revitalize their body and mind. Whether you prefer a deep tissue massage to ease muscle tightness or a soothing Swedish massage to relax and de-stress, the expert team at Body Retreat Massage will customize the perfect treatment for your needs. Discover the ultimate relaxation experience at Body Retreat Massage in Victoria.

The Art of Body Retreat Massage

Definition and Benefits

The art of Body Retreat Massage is a therapeutic technique that involves the manipulation of muscles and soft tissues to promote relaxation and overall well-being. This type of massage helps to alleviate stress, reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and enhance the body's natural healing process. The benefits of Body Retreat Massage include increased flexibility, reduced anxiety, and a sense of mental and physical rejuvenation.

The Holistic Approach to Wellness

The holistic approach to wellness in Body Retreat Massage focuses on treating the whole person, including mind, body, and spirit. This approach recognizes that each individual is unique and that physical health is interconnected with emotional and spiritual well-being. By addressing the root causes of tension and imbalance, Body Retreat Massage aims to restore harmony and promote overall health and vitality.
Any massage therapist specializing in Body Retreat Massage will take the time to understand the client's specific needs and tailor the treatment to address their individual concerns. This personalized approach ensures that the massage is not only relaxing but also effective in promoting holistic wellness.
Massage therapy is a powerful tool for relaxation and self-care. Through skillful manipulation of the body's soft tissues, massage therapists can help clients release tension, improve circulation, and enhance overall well-being. Body Retreat Massage, in particular, offers a unique blend of relaxation and therapeutic benefits, making it an ideal choice for those looking to unwind and rejuvenate both body and mind.

Massage Techniques Used in Victoria's Retreats

Swedish Massage Fundamentals

It is imperative to understand the basics of Swedish massage to appreciate its relaxing benefits fully. This popular massage technique focuses on long, flowing strokes to improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote overall relaxation.

Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapies

Deep tissue and trigger point therapies are effective in targeting specific areas of muscle tightness and pain. The deep pressure applied in these techniques helps alleviate chronic muscle tension and release knots or trigger points that cause discomfort.
For instance, deep tissue massage is ideal for athletes or individuals with chronic pain conditions seeking relief from muscle soreness and tension.

Aromatherapy and Hot Stone Massage

With the use of imperative oils in aromatherapy massage and heated stones in hot stone massage, these techniques offer a luxurious and therapeutic experience. Aromatherapy promotes relaxation and stress relief, while hot stone massage helps to loosen tight muscles and improve circulation.
The combination of aromatherapy and hot stone massage creates a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience for both the body and mind.

Choosing the Right Body Retreat in Victoria

Evaluating Professional Credentials

Now, when selecting a body retreat in Victoria, it is crucial to evaluate the professional credentials of the therapists. Look for experienced and certified massage therapists who have the expertise to provide a high-quality massage experience. Check for any additional training or specialized certifications that may enhance their skills in different massage techniques.

Atmosphere and Environment Considerations

Now, when choosing a body retreat in Victoria, take into consideration the atmosphere and environment of the spa. A serene and tranquil environment can greatly enhance your massage experience, allowing you to fully relax and unwind. Look for retreats that offer private treatment rooms, soothing music, and calming scents to create a peaceful ambiance.
Considerations: Pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the spa facilities to ensure a safe and hygienic experience. Additionally, consider the overall ambiance of the retreat, including the decor, lighting, and temperature control, to ensure a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for your massage session.

Preparing for Your Body Retreat Experience

What to Expect During Your Visit

Expect a tranquil and serene environment as soon as you walk through the doors of our Body Retreat Massage in Victoria. You will be greeted by our friendly staff who will guide you through the process and make you feel at ease. Your therapist will discuss your preferences and any areas of concern to tailor the massage to your specific needs, ensuring a personalized experience.

Tips for Maximizing Relaxation and Rejuvenation

During your visit, it's important to fully embrace the experience to reap the maximum benefits. To enhance your relaxation and rejuvenation, consider the following tips:

• Avoid heavy meals before your appointment to avoid discomfort during the massage
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and after your session
• Arrive a few minutes early to allow time to unwind and relax before your massage begins

Your relaxation and rejuvenation experience will be heightened by following these simple yet effective tips. Perceiving the massage as a time for healing and self-care will further amplify its benefits.

Aftercare and Maintaining Benefits Post-Massage

Follow-up Practices for Prolonged Relief

Keep the relaxation going by incorporating self-care practices post-massage. Maintain hydration levels by drinking plenty of water to help flush out toxins released during the massage. Stretching and gentle exercises can help prevent muscles from tensing up again. Resting and allowing your body time to adjust and recover is also crucial.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Enhance the Massage Benefits

Benefits of a massage can be prolonged by making simple lifestyle adjustments. Regular exercise can help maintain muscle flexibility and reduce tension buildup. Prioritize good quality sleep to aid in muscle recovery and overall well-being. Incorporating stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga can further enhance the effects of the massage.
Lifestyle: Making small changes in your daily routine can help maximize the benefits of your massage session. By prioritizing self-care activities and adopting a holistic approach to wellness, you can experience lasting relief from muscle tension and stress.

Conclusion

Taking this into account, Body Retreat Massage in Victoria offers a range of massage services to help individuals unwind and relax. With a team of skilled therapists and a tranquil atmosphere, you can experience a rejuvenating escape from daily stress and tension. Whether you're looking for a deep tissue massage or a soothing aromatherapy session, Body Retreat Massage has something for everyone. Treat yourself to a much-needed break and book a massage appointment today to restore your mind, body, and spirit.

In the not-so-distant future, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of groundbreaking scientific research. A team of dedicated scientists delved into the mysteries of CRISPR technology, aiming to vanquish cancer once and for all. Their breakthrough in 2050 heralded a new era of triumph, as patients once ravaged by the disease found themselves completely cured.
But amidst the celebrations, a shadow fell. Five years post-cure, strange afflictions emerged, twisting the very fabric of the patients' DNA. With keen eyes, the scientists whisked the affected away to the lunar research center, a clandestine haven where secrets could be contained. There, they unwittingly became subjects in a chilling experiment.
As time passed, their bodies underwent a metamorphosis, evolving into a hybrid species with extraordinary abilities. Adaptability became their hallmark, and within their genetic makeup lay the blueprint for biological weapons, ready to defend against any threat.
As a player thrust into this strange world, you face a pivotal choice: cling to your humanity with the aid of human medicine, or embrace the alien evolution coursing through your veins. Each path offers its own array of advantages and drawbacks.
Should you embrace your alien nature, you'll find yourself embarking on covert missions to distant planets, armed with your own formidable arsenal of biological weaponry where your body evolves generating a weapon out of your DNA. But tread carefully, for the mysteries of the cosmos hold dangers untold.the more your body evolves the less human you will become ultimately transforming to totally different species as the game progresses and then you will stop obeying your superiors and revolt on them, where your aim becomes building your own species base and focusing on growing more members of your species
Alternatively, remain tethered to your human roots and gain access to cutting-edge human technology. Equip yourself with exosuits, wield powerful firearms, and master the art of swordplay as you navigate a world teetering on the brink of transformation.you will defend humanity against the new species
In this journey of self-discovery and survival, the fate of humanity lies in your hands. Will you rise as a beacon of hope amidst the stars, or succumb to the darkness that lurks within? Choose wisely, for the future of both worlds hangs in the balance.
i know this sounds like a AAA title game with so many game mechanics involved especially on alien side as their body will generate unique biological weapons which is part of their body and a rich story that always changing based on what side you choose to play as .
so what do you think?
we can talk more about details but this is more or less the bones of the main story without going into too much details

I am Just an average Martial Artist, and for me, traditional martial arts represent extreme power, conditioning and an unbreakable spirit. Kyokushin runs through my blood and forever I will be a student of all traditional Martial Arts. It givs me discipline, calmness and heavily conditioned knuckles and shins for self defence. And this is my humble work and conditioning in a session. Respect to all martial artists, Osu!
And at the end of the video I look like I am passing a stool due to the steel dumbbell hammering my body lol, sorry for the strange facial expressions haha.

This is intended to be a point of reference rather than suggestions for design, but with the number of medieval-based fantasy RPGs out there, I figured this might be useful.
Regarding accuracy, there may be points of contention among medieval enthusiasts, so I'll do my best to support my arguments
Sword Names
Naming conventions are likely not terribly important to many designers. However, if you want to separate your classification style from Dungeons and Dragons (who refer to mail armohauberks as "chainmail") and other entertainment media, this explanation may be helpful.
Specific typologies of swords are very scarce in medieval manuscripts, and the most common description of any sword, regardless of geometry, is simply called "sword". And though I have seen names like "longsword" and "bastard sword" used in Early Modern texts (Capulet: "What noise is this? Give me my longsword"), I haven't seen them in medieval texts, though that does not necessarily mean the terms were invented in the 16th century. Overall, I would still say "longsword" is a fair term to use in a RPG
However, swords that classified as a longsword in museums are typically of hand-and-a-half grip, which means they can be effectively used in either one or two hands, much like a bastard sword. As such, there is no consistent historical or academic distinction between the longsword and bastard sword. If you refer to every mid-length sword as a longsword, there is no contradiction here.
The "great sword" is particularly confusing. Again, a modern use refers to large two-handed swords often as a greatsword, and this is not necessarily wrong, but there is some complicated context here. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Gaels referred to their two-handed swords as "claymore" which translates to "great sword". However, the Tudor dynasty banned Gaelic in the 16th century, and later on, "claymore" was used to refer to Scottish short swords. In medieval manuscripts however, the phrase "great sword of war" referred to a sword with the geometry of a bastard sword (with a grip length of a hand and a half) and it was theorized by Ewart Oakeshott that its intended use was for "ponderous" mail-defeating blows on horseback due to its weight distribution. These swords saw use generally through the 13th and 14th centuries and fell out in favor of more specialized swords such as the longsword proper, which featured tapered designs more suited for defeating plate armor, which emerged as a full plate harness sometime near end of the 14th century
Weight
Regarding weights, swords are deceptively light, and it's been reported that historic swords in the Met's gallery have much better balance than modern replicas. Here are some weights listed for various swords:

• British two-handed sword, 15th century, 5 pounds 3 ounces, total length 4 feet 9 inches
  
• Italian two-handed sword, 15-16th centuries, 6 pounds 2 ounces, total length 5 feet 6 inches
  
• German hand-and-a-half sword, early 16th century, 4 pounds, total length 4 feet 2 inches
  
• German hand-and-a-half sword, early 15th century, 3 pounds 7 ounces, total length 4 feet 1 inch
  
• German rapier, late 16th century, 3 pounds 11 ounces, total length 4 feet 6 inches
  

(The Met appears to have stopped using the term "longsword")
Function
Before the late 14th century, swords typically had flat or lenticular blades and broad tips meant for hewing. Their increasing mass from earlier centuries implies that they were specialized for defeating mail armor. As such, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Irish and Scottish infantry were still wearing mail armor without plate defenses on the body, and their claymores featured broad blades of German construction, supporting the argument for defeating mail. Modern impact tests show that swords do a fantastic job of inflicting grievous injuries through mail armor, even though the sword doesn't actually cut through the links.
As plate armor increased in prevalence, swords with tapered blades, diamond cross sections, and reinforced points proportionate followed suit, and from what I've seen of surviving pieces as well as artwork, tapered swords and "estocs" dominated in presence during the 15th century. Medieval dueling accounts and at least one full contact sparring YouTube channel I've seen (Dequitem) demonstrate that thrusting strikes against gaps in plate armor such as the inner thigh and underneath the aventail or sallet visor are quite accurate and deadly, which contradicts a popular notion that swords were merely backup weapons, nearly useless against plate armor.
Further, those who might not deny the effectiveness of swords may still say that polearms dominated the battlefield, though this claim requires more nuance. Since set-piece, open field battles were often separated by years (3 years between Formigny and Castillon, 10 years between Crecy and Poitiers), many active knights would live without ever seeing a full blown battle! Instead, the most common military engagements were night raids, small scale sieges with ladders, and minor skirmishes and ambushes—all situations where the sword would prevail. Even in open battle, once unit cohesion started to break down, close-quarters combat with swords, axes, and warhammers took center stage, as is famously evident in the Battle of Agincourt 1415
It is also widely believed among medieval enthusiasts that swords are inferior battle weapons to the mace and warhammer, due to their ability to inflict concussive force through plate armor. Medieval fight reenactor "Dequitem" addresses this concept thoroughly in his response video to Matt Easton, where he supports his argument with clips of full contact combat with blunt weapons: https://youtu.be/TbiGZNNs2oI?si=PIPYUDPUsMFYkM2K
To summarize the video:

• swords have more mass and more rotational force on the swing
  
• mace and hammer strikes are only effective against the head (against armor), but don't deal one-hit stopping power
  
• maces and hammers have a much smaller width of effective striking contact, and are easier to parry due to the angle of incidence
  
• thrusts in the halfsword are both powerful and accurate, and thrusts are more difficult to parry than other strikes
  

Other Videos
Two-Handed Sword vs. Battleaxe: https://youtu.be/MdgSBRGJ4mA?si=azdnqX4j4hoL98pL
War Flail vs. Billhook: https://youtu.be/8HHcS-XKr3o?si=4K1zLYa63scHsJTF
Pollaxe vs. Pollaxe: https://youtu.be/OAddX--V19w?si=o8ZpkqNWqPT255Ip

Hello everybody! I am trying out the WebUI Forge app on my Macbook Air M1 16GB, and after installing following the instructions, adding a model and some LoRas, and generating image, I am getting processing times up to 60min! Is this normal? Am I missing something in the installation process that may affect this long times?
Attaching logs:
 USERNAME@HOME      stable-diffusion-webui-forge  main  ./webui.sh
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Install script for stable-diffusion + Web UI
Tested on Debian 11 (Bullseye), Fedora 34+ and openSUSE Leap 15.4 or newer.
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Running on USERNAME user
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Repo already cloned, using it as install directory
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Create and activate python venv
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Launching launch.py...
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Python 3.10.14 (main, Mar 19 2024, 21:46:16) [Clang 15.0.0 (clang-1500.3.9.4)]
Version: f0.0.17v1.8.0rc-latest-276-g29be1da7
Commit hash: 29be1da7cf2b5dccfc70fbdd33eb35c56a31ffb7
Legacy Preprocessor init warning: Unable to install insightface automatically. Please try run \pip install insightface` manually.`
Launching Web UI with arguments: --skip-torch-cuda-test --upcast-sampling --no-half-vae --use-cpu interrogate
Total VRAM 16384 MB, total RAM 16384 MB
Set vram state to: SHARED
Device: mps
VAE dtype: torch.float32
CUDA Stream Activated: False
Warning: caught exception 'Torch not compiled with CUDA enabled', memory monitor disabled
Using sub quadratic optimization for cross attention, if you have memory or speed issues try using: --attention-split
==============================================================================
You are running torch 2.1.0.
The program is tested to work with torch 2.1.2.
To reinstall the desired version, run with commandline flag --reinstall-torch.
Beware that this will cause a lot of large files to be downloaded, as well as
there are reports of issues with training tab on the latest version.
Use --skip-version-check commandline argument to disable this check.
==============================================================================
ControlNet preprocessor location: /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/ControlNetPreprocessor
Loading weights [67ab2fd8ec] from /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Stable-diffusion/ponyDiffusionV6XL_v6StartWithThisOne.safetensors
2024-05-16 08:24:35,896 - ControlNet - INFO - ControlNet UI callback registered.
Running on local URL: http://127.0.0.1:7860
To create a public link, set \share=True` in `launch()`.`
model_type EPS
UNet ADM Dimension 2816
Startup time: 10.9s (prepare environment: 0.6s, import torch: 3.4s, import gradio: 1.2s, setup paths: 1.3s, other imports: 1.6s, load scripts: 1.3s, create ui: 0.6s, gradio launch: 0.7s).
Using split attention in VAE
Working with z of shape (1, 4, 32, 32) = 4096 dimensions.
Using split attention in VAE
extra {'cond_stage_model.clip_g.transformer.text_model.embeddings.position_ids', 'cond_stage_model.clip_l.text_projection', 'cond_stage_model.clip_l.logit_scale'}
Loading VAE weights specified in settings: /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/VAE/xlVAEC_f1.safetensors
To load target model SDXLClipModel
Begin to load 1 model
Moving model(s) has taken 0.01 seconds
Model loaded in 18.9s (load weights from disk: 0.9s, forge load real models: 15.0s, load VAE: 0.5s, calculate empty prompt: 2.4s).
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/add-detail-xl.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 722 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/add-detail-xl.safetensors for SDXL-CLIP with 264 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Concept Art Twilight Style SDXL_LoRA_Pony Diffusion V6 XL.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 722 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Concept Art Twilight Style SDXL_LoRA_Pony Diffusion V6 XL.safetensors for SDXL-CLIP with 264 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Expressive_H-000001.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 722 keys at weight 0.8 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Expressive_H-000001.safetensors for SDXL-CLIP with 264 keys at weight 0.8 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Kenva.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 722 keys at weight 0.7 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/Kenva.safetensors for SDXL-CLIP with 264 keys at weight 0.7 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/sinfully_stylish_SDXL.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 722 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/sinfully_stylish_SDXL.safetensors for SDXL-CLIP with 264 keys at weight 1.0 (skipped 0 keys)
[LORA] Loaded /Users/USERNAME/Projects/stable-diffusion-webui-forge/models/Lora/xl_more_art-full_v1.safetensors for SDXL-UNet with 788 keys at weight 0.7 (skipped 0 keys)
To load target model SDXLClipModel
Begin to load 1 model
Reuse 1 loaded models
Moving model(s) has taken 5.69 seconds
To load target model SDXL
Begin to load 1 model
Moving model(s) has taken 63.00 seconds
40%█████████████████▌ 8/20 [12:13<18:19, 91.65s/it]
To load target model AutoencoderKL 8/25 [13:31<29:04, 102.60s/it]
Begin to load 1 model
Moving model(s) has taken 2.36 seconds
Total progress: 32%████████▋ 8/25 [13:43<29:10, 102.97s/it]
Total progress: 32%████████▋ 8/25 [13:43<29:04, 102.60s/it]

I am curious your experience of EMDR & how you felt afterwards? Anyone have a negative experience afterwards?
My main question is; I experience anxiety almost every second of the day… What do you think is better; to have EMDR first or CBT for trauma ?
I have been extremely skeptical of the CBT. Spent a lifetime thinking optimistically & pushing myself through everything looking for the silver lining. When I process things I generally come out with positive outcomes but what I’ve found is it’s created a lot of stress & sickness in my body. I’ve adjusted to constant anxiety but it’s got worse & worse over the years (CPTSD ) mainly because of multiple traumatic events one after the other… Now I am in a good place to heal what’s your experiences of these therapies & which do you recommend first. I was advised to do CBT for trauma first. My only experience of CBT decades ago was horrific - people advising “just ride it out the anxiety & try to find solutions”.
Taking their CBT advice - I’ve been so chronically anxious I’ve tried to “ride it out” & let it pass but it never has for decades. My body is stuck physically in a trauma state. I tried to ignore it I mentally disassociated from assuming anything was wrong (although the pain in my body was intense).
I became obsessed with finding an A-Z list of back up plans & over thinking finding solutions in life, due to the anxiety for years… to the point i couldn’t switch off thinking I needed to think more & come up with more plans.
Finally I realised on reflection how I felt with the pressures of society to keep pushing when that was making me physically ill. I took years trying to teach myself how to breathe in order to eat & try to digest food. Sometimes just thinking triggers so much stress I feel I want to vomit. I feel more content when my mind is blank but it’s not practical.
The only thing that helps is doing absolutely nothing & concentrating on breathing & listening to emotions like somatically but it’s like trying to switch into gear 1 when my body has a tendency to go into 6 … I don’t think it’s in my mind. I feel like there’s a detachment to my body unless I work hard to reconnect through yoga or art (normal councilling helped feel less stress). However things have got worse the more trauma & whereas I used to think being able to talk & be validated or a hug might help for years now I don’t think that will. It’s like I need a way to reset my body.
Is it ok to do EMDR if you have not done CBT trauma?? I was advised I ‘must do trauma CBT’ but after my experience of CBT how is “trauma CBT” any better . I am hugely skeptical because of the work it’s taken to undo the damage caused taking their advice to “push through things” which led me “pushing through chronic illness, trying to ride it out ” instead of resting when I needed to. What helped was to reduce stress & find balance, rest, mindfulness, kindness, & patience - something they didn’t teach.
Have you had experience or either? If so love to know your feeling’s & experiences about either therapy. (Another thing I am greatly aware of is who the therapist is . I am sure a great deal depends on this … Because someone who has experience in multiple things or has their own approach i imagine will differ from someone who lacks empathy & their approach is purely based on text book theory/opinions. )

Tired of doing the same old routine all by yourself? Wanna spend time with someone during your free time? Well look no further! Giving you an offer that you don't want to miss. We could do dates such as going to art galleries/museums, attend workshops, take a stroll at the park, eat at restaurants, watch a movie or a show together, and many more. This is strictly exclusive and no drama involved. Hmu if you're interested and see if we vibe.
About me: - Singlecc - From QC - 5'9" average body but with active lifestyle (walking and workout) - Career oriented working professional - Friendly personality with a sense of humor - Can go from either street or gentleman personality j - Frugal most of the time but generous to the right people - Ambivert but leaning towards introverted - My love languages: Quality time, Acts of Service - Interests: Cycling, Investing, Toy collecting (Lego, Gundam, etc), - From big 4
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Like a lot of people, I've been watching a re-watching Jokic's masterpiece in Game 5 a lot of times, and something hit me. The reason Jokic's play is so astounding is because Rudy Gobert actually made him work to get shots.
Usually, when Jokic scores on people, he makes it look so easy. He just backs them down or fakes them out and that's it. The constant criticism of Jokic for years has been how bored he looks just owning defenders. He did not look bored last night. Gobert and the Minnesota defense - best in the league - made him work for buckets he could sleepwalk through against most teams.
Watch his first bucket of the game right here. Gobert presented 4 contests in under 1 second and correctly committed to the actual shot instead of jumping too early. Jokic made 3 pivots before going into his fadeaway jumper. Ask yourself honestly, against how many other defenders would Jokic have needed to make even 1 of those 3 pivots? And if he didn't do all that vs those other defenders, would you have been impressed? It'd have looked like he didn't do anything.
Against most defenders, Jokic's shots all look like his second bucket vs Gobert last night here. He just used the power of his booty to get where he wanted, gave a bump and then when Gobert readjusted, spun and took an open shot. If all he did last night was this 16 times, it wouldn't have looked like the work of art it was.
Then again here, Gobert's defense is perfect. There are very, very few people in the league that could make a smothered hook while jumping off the wrong foot coming off a curl from the baseline like this. Most players , would have passed it out to Murray to reset. And again, it's because Gobert's defense here is so good that Jokic scoring on him anyway looks so embarrassing. But remember, most defenders wouldn't have been able to force Jokic to make a shot that tough in the first place. It'd have been yet another easy Jokic bucket that impresses nobody.
You can go through the tape and you'll see that most of Jokic's 8 buckets vs Gobert last night were difficult shots, Jokic had to work to get. The fact that he made them anyway isn't a knock on Gobert, it's just that Jokic is virtually unstoppable. Even Anthony Davis, who a lot of people are pointing out did better vs Jokic only "held him" to averaging a 28 point triple-double in a series Jokic never felt pressured to score aggressively.
I also can't help but wonder if Jokic scores more against Gobert because he enjoys the challenge. He mentioned that it was a struggle versus the Lakers not to get bored and play sloppily. I wonder how many defenders make Jokic work hard enough that it feels exciting to him.
As much fun as it is to make fun of Gobert, getting owned that hard by Jokic is - paradoxically - evidence of how good a defender he is.

Hi guys,
I have read a lot of post here but I have not been able to get a clear picture on how Sigma lenses work with Canon R bodies (especially AF, and object tracking). Is it a good combination?
I am thinking about getting 3 Sigma Art lenses for my Canons R3 and R5. I am looking at Sigma Art lenses: 24mm, 35mm and 50mm.
Please help me with you experiences and knowledge. Thanks!