Vladimir Putin has landed in Beijing for a two-day state visit, where he was greeted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a red-carpet welcome and a full military band. The trip will build on their commitment to the "no limits" relationship they signed at the Winter Olympics in 2022, just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As Russia becomes isolated from the West on the world stage, it has sought to boost trade in the East and elsewhere, helping prop up its economy in the face of sanctions.
Quote: "Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone," Putin declared. "Our cooperation in international matters is one of the stabilizing factors in the international arena." Xi echoed the sentiment, adding that China will "work together to achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries" and "to uphold equity and justice in the world."
Trade between the two nations has soared to record levels, rising 26% last year to $240B and hitting targets ahead of schedule. Russia has even overtaken Saudi Arabia as China's main oil supplier, while the latter sends back key commodities, vehicles and other consumer goods. Trade has also seen Russia's economy top expectations to expand by 3.6% in 2023, according to the IMF, despite Western efforts aimed at draining the Kremlin's war coffers.
Reaction? Wall Street Breakfast ran a survey last November, and again this week, on how the U.S. should manage its economic relationship with China. The biggest changes over the past six months showed that more subscribers have less faith in rapprochement and trade deals (24% to 15%), while a greater number believe decoupling and sanctions are the way to go (11% to 19%). It's noteworthy as Washington has recently threatened additional sanctions on Chinese banks and entities that handle Russian trade involving dual-use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. How does all of this factor into your investing decisions? Join the discussion in the comments section.
Soft CPI Thought the Fed was only data dependent? Guess again. Data-centric traders celebrated in style after April's Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% from March, easing from the +0.4% pace seen in the previous three months. The print, which meant inflation is still running well above the 3% level on an annualized basis, helped push Wall Street indices to new record highs, with the S&P 500 (SP500) crossing 5,300 for the first time ever. Meanwhile, retail sales came in flat, while regional business activity cooled further, suggesting the Fed could ease monetary policy earlier than expected. (119 comments)
Secret stake It's 13F season, where hedge funds with at least $100M in assets under management reveal their holdings. The flurry of filings sheds light on what they bought and sold during the quarter, but investment managers can also make special requests to regulators to keep some of their stakes confidential. Insurance-focused Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) just revealed one of those positions, disclosing a prior $6.7B stake in Chubb (CB), with market participants sending the stock up 8% AH on Wednesday as some looked to copy the successful picks of Warren Buffett. Other 13F highlights include filings from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square, Michael Burry's Scion and David Tepper's Appaloosa. (33 comments)
Battle of the skies AT&T (T) is teaming up with AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to bring satellite internet connectivity to cell phones. The news sent ASTS up 36% in premarket trading this morning, with the space-based broadband network deal set to last until 2030. Other telecom operators have also ventured into the market. T-Mobile has a similar deal with SpaceX (SPACE), while Verizon (VZ) previously partnered with Amazon's (AMZN) Project Kuiper for connectivity solutions. Apple (AAPL) has also been offering satellite-to-cellphone emergency services on its iPhones since 2022. (43 comments)
Today's Markets
In Asia, Japan +1.4%. Hong Kong +1.6%. China +0.1%. India +0.9%. In Europe, at midday, London -0.2%. Paris -0.4%. Frankfurt -0.3%. Futures at 7:00, Dow +0.1%. S&P +0.1%. Nasdaq +0.2%. Crude -0.2% to $78.49. Gold -0.3% to $2,388.80. Bitcoin +5.4% to $66,165. Ten-year Treasury Yield unchanged at 4.34%.
Today's Economic Calendar
8:30 Housing Starts and Permits 8:30 Initial Jobless Claims 8:30 Philly Fed Business Outlook 8:30 Import/Export Prices 9:15 Industrial Production 10:00 Fed’s Barr Speech 10:00 Fed's Barkin Speech 10:30 EIA Natural Gas Inventory 10:30 Fed's Harker Speech 12:00 PM Fed's Mester Speech 3:50 PM Fed's Bostic Speech 4:30 PM Fed Balance Sheet
Companies reporting earnings today »
What else is happening...
GameStop (GME), AMC (AMC)? Meme rally is cooling off big time.
First Solar (FSLR) pops after trade probe into Asian solar imports.
Netflix (NFLX) ad plan tops 40M users; NFL deal in the bag.
Microsoft's (MSFT) emissions rise amid surging AI demand.
BOJ rate hike? Trouble as Japan's economy keeps shrinking.
Disney (DIS) flags spending cuts on marketing, traditional TV.
Networking: Cisco (CSCO) raises guidance after latest results.
Morgan Stanley highlights Dell's (DELL) AI server and storage.
China's NIO changing global strategy as U.S., EU tariffs loom.
Check out the latest hot dividend picks by Seeking Alpha analysts.

4 years. It took 4 years to get to this point. But finally, Suraxis had managed to advance far enough in his magical studies to put his focus in a more specified field. With his history of being an adventurer, his decision to become a combat mage was a surprise to nobody. His grades, exploits and findings within his studies had given him ample opportunity to go into whatever field the mid 20 year old wanted to. His decision had been clear from the point he set foot into the academy.
While he was an incredible mage, he still had to rely on others to keep him out of harm's way whilst he was reciting the chants and gathering the aether necessary to fire off his spells. This had to change. He wanted to be independent from mercenaries and other adventurers. With that in mind and the potential for far faster travel opening up at the same time Suraxis would become a dragon rider. His studies already delved into magics not entirely supported by modern magistrates and mages, but summoning was a type of magic most deemed too dangerous to ever attempt.
His deep understanding of magic and history of dragon riders in his family had bolstered his confidence in his success in the field far beyond any doubts or fears that might set in. The fact that an ancestor of his had been a dragon rider herself and mated with the dragon she had summoned made the prospect even more likely to succeed. The dragon blood in his veins, however diluted it might be with the many generations between them, would make bonding with a dragon far easier.
The tests had been taken, the precautions considered. It was finally time for Suraxis to summon his new companion. After all, there was more adventure to be had.
Heya! The name's Dome, I'm 23 and from Germany. I've recently had this idea stuck in my head and am now looking for somebody to help me bring it to life!
I'm specifically looking for someone to write the dragon being summoned. What kind of dragon, what she looks like and everything else is your choice! Can she shapeshift to a humanoid form? Is she overly proud of the luster of her scales? Does she hope to build a massive hoard alongside this powerful mage? Lets find out together!
I am looking to RP on Discord as it makes organization a lot easier. I write in 3rd person and generally get between 3-5 paragraphs in, depending on the prior answer. I'm looking for someone to match that length. I don't care too much about your age, just that you are above 18 as I do not want to interact with minors. This is supposed to be an adventure RP with the potential of romance if wanted.
I hope to hear from you! Just shoot me a DM here and we can get to talking!

Hello, I'm a French native speaker from Quebec. When I was 9, my family and I moved to England for 6 years. My French became rusty and, since then, I've been stuck with an accent, with imperfect writing, and with a lack of fluidity. I want to improve my French but can't find any learning methods suited to my level (i.e., native speaker in need of touch-ups). Any tips for my situation? I study in both French and English, and work in a legal French context.

How would you go about writing a blurb for a fantasy novel containing multiple in-depth storylines?
I've tried a couple times to come up with a blurb that's condensed and engaging, but it quickly becomes too wordy.
I'm honestly a big fan of small blurbs attached to massive stories, as it gets me thinking about how such a simple premise could become an incredible journey - but I'm aware that most people don't share this like.
I could use some advice, thanks :)

I'm not sure what to do
Hi, I'm 23 years old, currently in my last year (last weeks) of electronics engineering in university. Last year I failed one of my classes so I had to take a gap year. So this is my 5-th year of these studies. I really was supposed to finish this year, but I probably failed again.
Generally speaking these studies were extremely difficult for me, and from second year I was always close to failing one or two of my classes. I hid it from everybody since I liked seeing them being proud of me. I really hate that this is what I have chosen to study..But there is no way back.
I am european, so studying is free.Two years ago I have found a job as an electrical engineer. (I have also tried other electronics engineering jobs, but briefly)I have worked there for two years now, but I have left the place in January with a promise that I will be back when I graduate. However while I was working there full time during my gap year, I 100% understood that this is not for me. The job, the place and everything drained me. Even thinking about going back makes me tear up. I tried forcing myself to like what I do...Since I don't think it was that bad I really think that someone would love it, someone who has engineering as a passion. but it just didn't happen for me and while working I burned out even more. There were moment where I worked all night, just to be on time with my project.
after the second year I also started having panic attacks, where I would think that my heart is going to stop. But I managed to learn how to control them and when I feel one coming I usually know how to calm myself down.
Fast forward to now, I can see that my bachelor theme is way to difficult for me, I stayed allnighters to understand it and make it but the further I go the worst it gets. I understood that I might not make it, for a moment I had horrible thoughts, since EVERYONE around me is telling me that I will be nothing without my degree. My boyfriend of 5 years, he already graduated and is studying masters, is extremely mad that I even have thoughts of not finishing. My grandparents (my grandma has a doctor degree and was working in the university and faculty that I study in) are calling me, writing me messages, that if I dare to not finish they will disown me. My mom and dad was hard on me, but they are starting to understand, and are trying to just force me to push it through. There are moments when I think that I can somehow push it though, but reality hits harder. I cried a lot, but never in front of my peers and professors. However, today I was trying to catch up with few of my assignments, I worked all day and night, I really thought I understood everything. During my presentation, I just started crying, I couldn't explain whats written I couldn't explain anything, I was trying so hard to hold it in, but I just couldn't, tears were running down my cheeks like crazy. Everyone was uncomfortable, just waited for me to finnish my slides. At this moment I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can push it through...I know that last year is hard for everyone but Im just so tired...
I do think that education is important but I just dont know why something like engineering makes me suffer so much, it was never for me. I have very real plans for studying language therapy and working in this field maybe in the future.
If anyone is or was at a similar place, I really would appreciate any kind of advice.

Hello all, I'm new to the insurance game, I've only been at it one month and all I have is one sale (lead from boss). Yesterday was officially one month here at the new career, my boss asked me how many people I quoted today, my answer was only 1, I think he was slightly irritated by that answer. I tried calling others but was either hung up on or was told they weren't interested. I mainly only do commercial lines at the moment. With some farm policies. Am I lacking in progress? I really like this new career and how my life goes around it, but I just don't want to fall behind and get shit canned for lack of performance.

Here in the US at least we have whole months of Awareness. This one is dedicated to psychiatry.
It’s been hard and painful to learn, but most people have no clue how damaging the system is. They don’t even know the basics, like the history of asylums and their long legacy of torture. I’m shocked how few LGBTQ people know that history — they tend to know about these historical talking points like Stonewall and some court cases, but no knowledge of psychiatry’s long history of abuse towards LGBTQ people. Towards political activists. Towards women. Towards people of color. Towards autistic people. Shit, just towards people who are a little bit odd, but not dangerous!!
People have been killed and tortured and it still goes on today. The degree to which it is hidden from the public is so disturbing and soul-crushing. And here we are in a propaganda spell encouraging people with infographics and memes to sign up to harm themselves with neurotoxic drugs, sharing hotline numbers that ensure you will have a violent confrontation with the police at your wish. Taylor Swift — who I am sympathetic too in certain cases — has made an album glorifying the legacy of psychiatric terrorism, to which I am positive she has never encountered herself based on how she wrote about it.
The only pop star who should be writing about that shit is Britney Spears.
What if we were all made aware of this! Damn. I’m almost at a year from my cold turkey and the more I learn the more horrible it seems. How are people here staying hopeful? There’s only so few places for us to go and be heard. Even here there are brigadiers hellbent on denying our experiences.

I remember (probably mistaken) that Carlin said in one of his HBO specials "i believes is the duty of the comedian to find where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately". Does anyone remember if it's in fact a quote from one of his shows? Maybe an interview? A book? I'm not sure, but I'd like to have it.
When you search online for his most famous quotes this one always comes up on top, but i just would like to remember from where exactly.

Sorry for any mistakes. My english isn't good enough.
Background: Men with 23 years, no college formation yet.

Section 1

1. How do you work? Why do people go to work? Are there any parameters that determine whether you can do work or not? What are they?
   I work very slow. I don’t have problems working faster for a while, but if is too much starts to annoy me. We works humankind needs recurses to act and solve our existencial and material problems. But i can’t exclude other forces among work like capital, the human “progress”. The parameters for my work is something abstract, technological, creative and philosophical. I often like write about ideas, deal with machines and computers, reading about political philosophy. I have problems to get a job on those areas because i dont have iniciative to chase it.
   
2. How do you determine the quality of work? How do you determine the quality of a purchase? Do you pay any attention to it?
   I determine the quality of work if it brings expected results and seems organized. The same for a purchase. I don’t pay any attention for it, i just want may these things fulfill their role, whatever the cost.
   
3. There is a professional next to you. How do you know they are a professional? How do you evaluate their skill?
   

I would know he is a professional because he/she have a whole theorical and pratical (how to do) informations about something. Well informed, decisive, calm and chill, deeply in their knowledge.

1. If you struggle to do something, how do you fix that? Do you know if your performance is better or worse than others?

I fix that with research and studying about this problem. I also look for discussions and informations about some topic and after i could act or not about it. I guess is worse, in my mind is. But people often says compliments me about my work and proactive attitude.

1. How do you measure the success of a job? What standard do you use? Do you pay attention to it? When should you deviate from this standard?

I say is terrible. I dont like my job (i work with security in a airport). I really want to get out here because its not the area that i’m good for. I don’t have a standard here. I don’t pay any attetion for it.

Section 2

1. What is a whole? Can you identify its parts? Are the parts equivalent to the whole?

A whole is the sum of the partes. The parts its the delimited entities and can’t be the whole itself. Yes, they are equivalent to the whole.

1. What does "logical" mean? What is your understanding? Do you think that it correlates with the common view? How do you know you are being logical?

Logical means the correct way to think. In my understanding is no contradiction. No, people often confuse logical with opinions and feelings, they make appeals for common sense and call it logical. I dont’t mind being logical all time, i know logical its a tool for some subjects not whole life subjects. I rather being rational with evidences and good arguments of all types to speak.

1. What is hierarchy? Give examples of hierarchies. Do you need to follow it? Why or why not? Explain how hierarchy is used in a system you are familiar with.

Hierarchy is an “effective” way to organize most people in society, and its a good way to exploit at the same time. I dont need it, i work better for my own because i have a good vision of situations. Hierarchy its just a way to organize people with no imagination, inteligence or self control to works better and become “usefull” for society. Its a tool for efficience and control.

1. What is classification? How does classification work? Why is it needed and where is it applied? Give examples.

Classification is a way to agroup similar things or parts of the whole for better understanding. As a said before is for best understanding. In theorical subjects, but it can be used in any area or activitie to became easier. In socionics for an example: Too much categories (making me sleepy sometimes) but get easier to understand.

1. Are your ideas consistent? How do you know they are consistent? How do you spot inconsistency in others' ideas?

Yes i’m. Because i have evidences and observations to show and prove my point. Normally using logic, or evidences that can’t fit in their positions.

Section 3

1. Can you press people? What methods do you use? How does it happen?

No, i can’t. I just use arguments, ask polite to someone does something or giving advices. I just can’t feel comfortable doing this.

1. How do you get what you want? What do you do if you have to work to get what you want?

I prepare myself to get something, i plan in my head and think about the worse possibilities before. If i want a work i prepare myself, for an example i studied english a lot to get a better job in airport (i continue looking for an one new job).

1. How do you deal with opposition? What methods do you use to defend your interests?

I just became independent of them. I organize my life in a way i can’t be bothered by them. When i need to do, or defend my interests i just use argumentations and my polite nature to get it.

1. When do you think it's ok to occupy someone's space? Do you recognize it?

NO. GOD NO. I hate the idea of became annoy or occupy other’s space, because i hate it and i avoid people like this. Yes, i often knows when someone is occupying my space and avoid it as a hell.

1. Do others think you are a strong-willed person? Do you think you have a strong will?

No. Unfortunately i don’t. I don’t have a strong will. Because of that i feel myself stopped in life :’)

Section 4

1. How do you satisfy your physical senses? What examples can you give? What physical experiences are you drawn to?

I satisfy my pshysical sens with food, coffee and tea (too much) and video game. I drawn to video game and confortable experiences in my home. I dont get out there often.

1. How do you find harmony with your environment? How do you build a harmonious environment? What happens if this harmony is disturbed?

I don’t find it. My room is usually a mess. My harmony It’s disturbing when someone takes that relaxation away from me.

1. What does comfort mean to you? How do you create it? Comfort is where I can recharge my energy. That's basically my sofa and my bed.
   
2. How do you express yourself in your hobbies? How do you engage yourself with those things?
   

I express myself as very imaginative in my hobbies, like video-game and reading. When writing i usually make a lot of good and rational arguments from different sources.

1. Tell us how you'd design any room, house or an office. Do you do it yourself, or trust someone else to do it? Why?

I have never done something like this. But if i pay someone to do, i will ask for something classical like mafia office. I trust someones else because i do not have a good asthetic taste.

Section 5

1. Is it acceptable to express emotions in public? Give examples of inappropriate expression of emotions.

I don’t express my emotions and public and i usually see people who does that as inaprippriate. Examples of inappropriate expressions of emotions is: Crying or any reason, anger, happiness, and etc.

1. How do you express your emotions? Can you tell how your expressions affect others in a positive or negative way?

I’m very open with people i like or knows enough. I can be silly and laugh a bit. I don’t have any ideia about how i affect other people.

1. Are you able to change your demeanor in order to interact with your environment in a more or less suitable way? How do you determine what is suitable?

No i can’t. I’m very sloopy trying to be friendly so i usually don’t try. I don’t know. I think i don’t care about and this is it.

1. In what situations do you feel others' feelings? Can you give examples of when you wanted to improve the mood of others?

Just when someone being openly agressible with me. I usually dont mind to improve anyones mood, but when i do i try to cheer up a little people who i like with advices, or when i flirt with somone i like. Or when i know someones who faces problems with social skills like i had.

1. How do others' emotions affect you? How does your internal emotional state correlate or contrast with what you express?

Affect me when they’re judging me by their standards, or when annoying me to do something quick.

Section 6

1. How can you tell how much emotional space there is between yourself and others? How can you affect this space?

With most people i put a big distance. With people i like i’m very warm with hugs, kisses and stupidy jokes (not too much). I can deal greatly with this space.

1. How do you determine how much you like or dislike someone else? How does this affect your relationships?

Based on my conversations topics, and how openly and honest the person acts towards me. I don’t know it affect my relationship.

1. How do you move from a distant relationship to a close one? What are the distinguishing characteristics of a close relationship?

With conversations when we have na oportunity. They are often openly and social people, who carry on with serious and silly conversations with black humor included and also helps me when i need (rare)

1. How do you know that you are a moral person? Where do you draw your morality from? Do you believe others should share your beliefs on what's moral? Why?

I don’t know, i just have my beliefs and values but i dont think a lot about it. I dont know where it from. Yes, but only when the conversations shows na oportunity and never mix moral and rational subjects.

1. Someone you care about is acting distant to you. How do you know when this attitude is a reflection of your relationship?

I usually knows what i did for be treated like this. But if i dont, i think they doesnt have reasons for this so i just get myself away from. If they take iniciative to speak, i’ll be open to understand i say sorry.

Section 7

1. How can you tell someone has the potential to be a successful person? What qualities make a successful person and why?

Someone who have strong will, good theorical undestanding and pratical knowledge too. Because those skills i said, allows anyone to act in any area.

1. Where would you start when looking for a new hobby? How do you find new opportunities and how do you choose which would be best?

When i get depressive for doing not all day. So i start to look for something new. I make cost benefit analysis, and think about the long term benefits.

1. How do you interpret the following statement: "Ideas don't need to be feasible in order to be worthwhile." Do you agree or disagree, and why?

No. They need to be. If isn’it dont have any effect in real world so: whats the point?

1. Describe your thought process when relating the following ideas: swimming, chicken, sciences. Do you think that others would draw the same or different connections?

When i swim i just want to get some fun. Chicken is a good domesticated animal for humankind feed their stomachs. Science is the best way to achieve innovations and overcome all disaster that nature put on our paths.

1. How would you summarize the qualities that are essential to who you are? What kind of potential in you has yet to be actualized and why?

Good ones: Inteligent, good memory and associative thinking, very adaptable, very calm and chill, a good problem solver, no intrusive. Bad ones: Revanchist, very critic, relationship issues, arrogance, problem with rules and deadliness, burocratic issues. I hate daily life.

Section 8

1. How do people change? Can you describe how various events change people? Can others see those changes?

No they not change. The essence of people’s character never really change. People just change when they make a good self critic and its very hard sees someone who does that.

1. How do you feel and experience time? Can time be wasted? How? Yes. You can estimate how much time a task takes. You can plan how you wanna use your time. You can set deadlines for whatever you are doing. Time can be wasted on things you don't value because you can't gain back time.

Time is very important to me. I can see things very distant in my imagination but act abour this is hard. So i waste times often with relaxing times or doing activities out my plans. I dont set deadlines, i just know what i want to do and for how long to give the next step. I guess the absence of deadlines destroys my progress.

1. Is there anything that cannot be described with words? What is it? If so, how can we understand what it is if language does not work?

No it isnt exist. All things can be described by words instead being difficult to do.

1. How do you anticipate events unfolding? How can you observe such unfoldments in your environment?

I usually antecipate the worse possibilitie and act towards that to avoid it. I think if this worse never happen, i’ll be surprise for something godd and will be prepared for anything bad.

1. In what situations is timing important? How do you know the time is right to act? How do you feel about waiting for the right moment?

Every situation. We need to know how long you can waste time and when stop. Waiting for a rigth momment is important for not waste energy with bullshit. The right momment is always builded before.
I’ll be glad if all of you help me with yojr opinions. How much details, better .

Leonardo da Vinci

Class: Ruler
True Name: Leonardo da Vinci
Gender: Young-Girl Type
Source: History, Fate/Grand Order
Region: 2017 Antarctica
Alignment: Lawful Summer
Height: 144cm
Weight: 36.5kg
Strength: D
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: A
Luck: A+
Noble Phantasm: B
Scenario Writer: Yuuichirou Higashide Character Design: Simosi CV: Sakamoto Maaya
Main Appearance: Fate/Grand Order
Class Skills
Riding: EX The talent for riding. She controls the dinosaur-shaped mecha she invented this time.
Item Construction: A The inventor aspect of hers is more pronounced this time compared to her artistic side. The dinosaur-shaped mecha exemplifies this the most.
Magic Resistance: B The Magic Resistance skill acquired as a Ruler. Her durability has slightly improved.
Personal Skills
Dreaming Machine: A A series of support-type dinosaur mecha Da Vinci gave up sleep to develop. Each one has its own unique (though admittedly simple) AI that gives them a degree of autonomy, and they all move just as you'd expect dinosaurs to move.
Triceratops: Fiamma (Italian for "flame") Futabasaurus: Mare (Italian for "ocean") Archaeopteryx: Vento (Italian for "wind")
Treasure Checker: B A treasure-tracking skill Da Vinci gained for her very first treasure hunt. While it's normally meant to detect gold, silver, and other similar ores, in battle, it also serves as a form of active sonar.
Shining at Twilight: EX Every adventure has to end sometime. Once the Singularity disappears, it will be as though the treasure hunt never happened. But, no matter how strong the twilight may have been, there was always something bright shining. Although this skill may resemble Dream Upon the Star, it has very different effects.
Noble Phantasm
Unforgettable Summer Vacation, Dream Of White
Rank: A NP Type: Anti-Personnel Range: 1 - 10 Maximum Targets: 1
Dinosaur Summer Goodbye. Da Vinci transforms her mecha dinosaurs into bullets and fires them with her trusty magical pistol. Each mecha dinosaur "round" has different effects. Although older Mystics are usually stronger, Da Vinci's mecha dinosaurs fall into the cutting-edge category, so unfortunately, their Mystic power is somewhat lacking. Fortunately, Da Vinci's ingenuity is more than enough to compensate for this particular shortcoming.
Character
First person pronoun: watashi Second person pronoun: kimi/aitsu/○○(calling them by name with no honorifics) Third person pronoun: kare (for males)/kanojo (for females)/○○(calling them by name with no honorifics)
○ Personality
Although her class has changed from Rider to Ruler, her personality seems to be unchanged. That said, she does seem more curious than usual, and she has to hold herself back from running around excitedly wherever she goes, though that may just be because she's in a Singularity. And who can blame her, since she finally has the chance to experience something she's so far only been able to observe from the sidelines.
Da Vinci had almost started to ask Master to tell her all about the latest adventure, as she always does, but then, she remembered that she would get to experience it herself this time, and flashed an embarrassed, but happy smile.
○ Motives and attitude towards Master
"I wonder what exciting adventure you'll take me on next?" she asks with excited eyes.
Her excitement is about 30% higher than usual, resembling a girl her age, and her responsible side is slightly subdued as she eagerly awaits the thrilling and earth-shattering events she'll experience.
○ Example lines
"Oh, that's interesting! Now, what kind of adventure will you take me on next?" "What should I do, Master? This stegosaurus has imprinted on me." "Goredolf, you're so tyrannical!!!"
○ Character Portrayal in Fate/GO
This summer has a sense of adventure in the air...
That's how the young-girl type da Vinci adjusted her Spiritron Dress with her gaze.
She investigated the various events that have occurred so far, and intends to enjoy them to the fullest.
Although not interested at first, pirate treasure accidentally fell into her hands.
As a result, an unforgettable summer mayhem unfolds.
At the center of this mayhem are Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus.
Though these two lived during the same period, there is no historical evidence of them ever having met.
The child a young Da Vinci spoke to about her dreams probably went by a different name, and the same is most likely true for the child to whom a young Columbus confided his dreams.
Regardless, the two children set off on different paths, each determined to make their respective dream come true.
It was a promise made just as the sun was setting. Two children talking about their dreams, though whether it actually happened is anyone's guess.
Of course, it has nothing to do with her.
○ Summer Position
Looking at the records of minute Singularities is one of the few ways Da Vinci is able to entertain herself.
"What in the world happened here?" "How did such a crazy Singularity even exist?" She would think about how the Servants who were trapped there must have felt, or laugh at seeing her predecessor's complaining in the accompanying records, even though she knew she shouldn't.
Though Da Vinci had always admired Singularities, she never thought she would get to experience one herself. That she finally has a chance to do so feels like nothing short of a precious gemstone, and she plans to make the most of it in every way she can.
○Connection to other Characters
Steggy She happened to be imprinted when it hatched from its egg. Though she says "Oh no," she doesn't seem bothered at all. Sensing the impending parting, she takes care of the Stegosaurus.
Columbus (as a boy) When they were children, they apparently talked about their dreams. Unfortunately, neither of them have a clear memory of it. He wonders if he (she) has forgotten about it as an adult. Columbus, however, doesn't remember anything in particular as an adult.
Goredolf "Let's enjoy the summer with each other", she thinks. Meanwhile, Goredolf thought, "Well, it can't be helped", and worked hard at cooking.
Protagonist, Mash "Come on, let's enjoy the summer together!" she says enthusiastically. Since the two of them are very easygoing, they go along with it.
Sherlock Holmes I wondered why he wasn't enjoying the summer, but I soon realized it was because his coat was too hot! It can't be helped...
There's no way it can't be helped.
Comment from Illustrator "Adventure to Treasure Island?" That was the plan, so I dressed her up in an adventurer-style outfit with a bikini underneath. I had prepared a character illustration of her wearing a white swimsuit for her Spiritron Dress, but due to various circumstances it was shelved. Since I had the chance, I had it published in this magazine. While the design of da Vinci herself was simple, the amount of work involved in designing the dinosaur-mecha and Steggy was quite a lot. (Simosi)
Notes: • Her True Name is what it says, which is surprising since it's not Gran Cavallo like every other time they write it. • Her personal skills, NP, personality, part of her character profile and summer position are all taken from her in-game profile since I found them identical there. • The white swimsuit Simosi was talking about is the one da Vinci wears in her FA.

Hey everyone,
I'm writing from an amateur football team from Malta that plays Sunday league level football! We are looking for clubs interested in playing friendly matches while we are in Athens, where we will be doing an exciting preseason trip from September 5–8.
Our team is excited to compete against teams from other areas, test our level and create new connections. We would be happy to set up a match whether you're a nearby club or another traveling team!
Contact us via our social media channels if your team is interested for some good football and good times all round. https://www.instagram.com/malethalbion

It was my 40th birthday this week, a couple of days after mother's day. My husband organized a big potluck dinner for all our friends and some of my cousins last week, so I was well celebrated. The night of, my husband took me out for supper to a great local restaurant. That's when he found out I hadn't heard anything from my parents about a party for me next weekend.
You see, my husband talked to my mom a few times a month ago, and he thought they settled he would organize a party for 'the young people' and she would organize a party for me with all the older relatives. She even mentioned a date, and he told her he was available to help and would take time off work to be there once she confirmed. The poor man thought he fucked up because maybe he was supposed to tell me about it.
I reassured him there was absolutely no way my parents had spent a month organizing a big fancy party for me. That's just not them. What actually happened, and I had told him about, is that I and my son were invited to join them for supper for mother's day with my sister, I brought flowers, my mom bought a card and a cake for me, she complained the bakery wouldn't write a message for me on the cake, and asked me if I wanted an Ikea gift card for my birthday.
When I said I didn't mind but didn't have much use for that, she said they'd give me cash, then both my parents spent the next day calling me at work to find out if I'd gotten the bank transfer they had no idea how to send. I eventually told them we could settle this later because I was tired of trying to troubleshoot getting my own gift. (Guys, if they were just going to give me money anyway and hadn't even bought the gift card, why not just write a cheque and slip it into the card the day I was there?)
My husband was crushed. This man thinks I am important and wonderful and worth celebrating. My parents have organized lavish parties for all kinds of people for milestone birthdays and he assumed I would be getting that treatment too. He would, sincerely, have organized two parties for me if he'd thought for a second they wouldn't because he thinks I deserve that. He even thought some recent texts from my mom asking him to come help move furniture were to come help put things in place for my party. He texted my mom who confirmed she thought the mother's day dinner was my birthday party. My mom was clueless what the problem was even with the texts just above talking about a big family get-together for me.
The thing is that now I'm furious for him and feeling sorry for myself in a way I haven't for a very long time. I don't think I deserved more but HE DID and by God he deserves transparency from them. I ended up texting my mother explaining exactly what the problem was IN WRITING and strongly suggesting she reassure my husband that he didn't fuck up, because he was upset. Surprisingly she texted him and did that. I have no intention of talking to either one of them again for a long time. If they bring up my birthday money again I'll tell them to make a donation to Doctors Without Borders in my name so I get the tax deduction, I don't need it anyway. What's the point of a present that has no thought behind it and brings work and no joy?
I know some of this is unfair of me. My dad is completely useless so really it would have been my mom doing all the work, right around mother's day, and she's getting all the fallout that I'm sure neither expected. But I'm still in this weird emotional limbo this week, possibly because I'm very pregnant and it's not helping.

GNEM , 10th 98.6% , 12th 98.6% Commerce . Doing ca but have 3 Attempts in Foundation and Intermediate each . Will complete ca by hook or crook that's a seperate issue . However my Bcom score is very very very poor . Just 65% . I have 2 semesters remaining and can try my best to increase the score but that too can come only up to 70% maximum . 9/9/7 . Will there be any chance of tier 1 bschool ? Or it's already over due to grad . Can being a ca compensate for low grad score in tier 1 bschools ?

So I'm pretty sure my room is haunted. Not my whole house, just specifically my room. I'm the only one who has ever experienced anything out of the ordinary, so it seems like the ghost or entity in question is pretty choosy.
Now I don't really care that much about this, or rather I didn't. Ever since I was a kid I've been more of an "aghh, monsters!" than an "aghh, ghosts!" kinda guy. They just never really scared me, and I've been convinced of the haunted nature of my room for so many years now that it's literally just regular part of my life.
The events that have led me to believe this started right after we moved, I was about twelve at the time, and they've always been fairly tame. It started out as just a weird tapping. It has this weird almost musical rhythm to it that just made it seem a little too natural to be easily ignored. The first few times I heard this I was INCREDIBLY freaked out and I would turn on my bedside lamp as fast as possible and sit on my bed, scanning the room for any movement. I'd crawl to the edges of the bed to look all around my room and then, after steeling myself internally, quickly throw my head upside down to check under the bed. Always nothing.
But this would do pretty much nothing to make me feel better. The immediate fear of "there is something in my room" sort of transmuted into a more ambiguous "I don't understand what is happening". This would become an uncomfortable nagging feeling in my head as I would try to settle back down to sleep, and I always got the distinct impression that I was being toyed with. Like whatever was there enjoyed watching me go through this ritual every time.
This was further reinforced by the fact that the tapping NEVER occurs when the lights are on. Only when they're off, and really only in those first few minutes after you turn the lights off and before your eyes have a chance to adjust. The room just becomes pitch black darkness and every scary image you'd ever seen in your shirt life would burn itself into your eyes and appear wherever you looked in the black void. That is always when the noise would happen.
So I would hear the noise, do my room checking routine, eventually settle back in to bed, turn off the light.....and then repeat it all again. It scared me so much that more often than not in those early days I would end up sitting up on my bed with the light on and my back against the wall until eventually I would be so exhausted I would fall asleep.
But that got old, so I started trying to figure it once and for all. After I'd hear it I'd turn the light on, as before, but then I would turn it back off and wait with my hand on the switch. Once I heard it again I would turn the light back on. The longer I left the light off for, the louder and more intense the noise would become and I would hear it move around the room. It would start in different places all the time, but when it moved it would always make it's way to the end of my bed, on the side I always slept on, and then start to come up towards me. Eventually it would come up right next to my head, becoming almost ridiculously loud. I would always turn the light on then. I wasn't curious enough to see what wpuld happen.The instant the room was illuminated, the noise would stop. Every single time.
I also discovered that if I made noise, like talking or slamming my hand off the bed, it would stop. I found this comforting at first, like it was scared of me, or maybe just actually a rather polite ghost, but soon a thought formed in my mind, one that would crop back up whenever I would find myself being a little bit afraid of the noise again. "It's waiting until I'm asleep".
This was all very scary at the start but after a while had gone by and I hadn't been killed or possessed I just sort of got over it, and that's how it's been for years now. The noise sometimes happens, I usually just smack the bed or tell it to shut up, and that's that, no big deal. I believe that the room is haunted, but it really doesn't matter that much.
Until recently. There had actually been quite a long stretch where I hadn't heard the noise at all and it hadn't really left my mind, but I never actively thought about it. So when this started happening it struck me more than it had in a long while. My girlfriend was staying over, and she's one of those blessed people who falls asleep easily and is incredibly hard to wake up, so as per usual she fell asleep way before I did. This was all normal and I lay there for a while trying to fall asleep, until suddenly something changed.
A feeling of fear and unease seeped into me. The darkness around me went from being warm and comforting to cold and menacing. I found myself tensing up and focusing my eyes intently on different spots around the room. All of sudden the noise started again, but different than before. Before it had been quick and somewhat playful. Now it was much slower and undoubtedly sinister, like a war drum.
My eyes came to rest on one spot, as if something had been drawn them there, and then, the darkness coallesced into a moving shape. It was like water a droplet of water fall into a puddle in slow motion. It rose slowly, becoming thinner in the center the higher it went, until it stopped completely. I stared at in a confused state of fear for a moment before it filled into into the shape of person, long and gaunt.
From the darkness of it's face two eyes glowed slowly to life like those energy saving light bulbs. They were a blinding white, with a vague warm orange aura around their edges. It's gaze was fixed on me and never in my life had I felt such a primal terror. I felt as though I were caught in a Web, watching the spider creep towards me in slow motion.
I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my head into my girlfriend's back. I was literally shaking with fear, but like I said, she's a heavy sleeper, so she didn't wake up and I was left quaking in the dark, expecting to feel a hand fall on me at any moment.
But it never did, and at some point I actually managed to fall asleep. I didn't mention anything the next day because I wanted to convince myself it was a dream, and I pretty much managed to pull that off. That is, until, the next night.
Much the same as the first night, I felt that uneasy feeling and, in the hopes of avoiding what had happened before, squeezed my eyes shut as hard as I could. I kept them shut for a long time, until eventually I decided that I should face my fears and look. Show myself that I was freaking myself out because of a dream I'd had. I saw the room as it was supposed to look, could just about make out the features of the space with my eyes adjusted to the dark, and I saw that the space where the thing had been the night before was empty. I relaxed for about a quarter of a second before the same strange motion began. The second I saw that I shut my eyes and I didn't open them until I eventually fell asleep.
The next night I didn't even attempt to face my fears. As soon as that feeling settled over me I closed my eyes for the rest of the night, which took all of my willpower.
And that brings me to today, when I'm writing this. I'm not sure what this thing is or what's going on. Is it even the same presence I've always suspected in my room? Is it something else? Perhaps someone else might know, and I'd almost be content with that. So far this thing hasn't actually DONE anything, maybe he's just a bit of a nosy guy. I really want to believe this, but I can't really bring myself to, and there's another problem.
My girlfriend is leaving today, and I'm terrified of what might happen when I go to sleep tonight. I want to just stay up, but I know I can't stay awake indefinitely. I need a solution, or at least some advice. If there's anyone that can offer something like that, please share it.
At this time of year where I live, the sun doesn't set until late, about 10 or 11. I still have a good few hours until then. I suppose I should try to enjoy it while I can.

An interesting pair of messages.
From Wall Street Journal, an article that decries the world-first achievement of having demonstrated that overpopulation can be overcome, as the global birth rate falls below replacement levels.
https://apple.news/ALpSDUhezSReJzgTRa6VipA
From United Nations Human Rights Office, a campaign promoting LGBTIQ+ allyship and choosing what is right over choosing what is easy.
https://www.unfe.org/what-we-do/our-campaigns/alliesinaction
The second item arrived by email so I’m quoting:
“Dear friends,
Equality cannot be won by the LGBTIQ+ community alone. We need allies who will help build a world with equality, freedom, and justice for all – no matter who we are or whom we love.
That is why UN Free & Equal is marking tomorrow's International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia with a new campaign celebrating the relationship between allies and the LGBTIQ+ community. Our allies are people who stand up for the rights of others. They choose what is right over what is easy.
In our campaign, you will hear from different #AlliesInAction who use their platforms and their voices to speak up for LGBTIQ+ equality. Actress and former Miss India Celina Jaitly, Cabo Verdean singer Mayra Andrade, and Márcia Mercury, the daughter of Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury and Malu Verçosa Mercury, all explain what it is that makes being an ally so important. Each have made an impact in the lives of LGBTIQ+ people they know and love, sometimes by taking a stand, and sometimes just by showing their support and acceptance.
You can also join the movement; explore the hashtag, share your story, and take action for LGBTIQ+ equality in your community. Visit our campaign page for eight simple ways to get started!
In solidarity,
The UN Free & Equal team”
The WSJ article conspicuously avoids mentioning anything to do with Pride directly but it does talk about Russia’s demographic complaints and quotes people talking about “reorientation” and “preference” so it’s not exactly subtle.
To the degree that Russia is complaining that Pride is a demography hazard, and has opted out, it’s nice to see that the Free and Equal campaign is asserting itself as still operative.

Everynight, I wake up and try to do WILD, but I'm someone who falls asleep easily, so even if I stay awake for 5 minutes (I usually write down the dream I just had and go back to bed) within one minute I'm asleep again. I read that it was good to be in that drowsy state but I can't seem to be able to mantain it and go to sleep,,, so I need some tips.
And I do try to become lucid in my dreams but tonight there was lore and everything as to why I was in a ship with zombies, so it didn't feel like I was dreaming.

For writing in Latin letters. Style when the tip going up almost after each letter.
I would like to acquire Kuru Toga Dive, but I am afraid that it won't be as effective as Pentel Orenz Nero for writing and the money won't be worth it.

Hi everyone - I've been lurking here for a while, enjoying the posts on your games. I write a weekly newsletter that previews indie games based on their demos. So, naturally, NextFest is a pretty big deal, especially since I write several roundup articles that cover 30 to 40 games during that week.
But it's tricky to find the good demos.
So, to make my life easier, I'm asking any of you devs who are going to have a demo on NextFest in June to post your game's name here. Then I can take a look and maybe you'll game gets features in one of my articles. No guarantees. But if you let me know in this thread, I'll be sure to check it out and consider it for my newsletter!
Thanks, and keep up the amazing work you guys are doing.

I had always had an adoration for Parker’s song writing. After the No Pressure tracks started dropping and I learned the news of his father passing the songs started to form up new meaning for me as I was in the process of watching my father in law get sick.
The past year for my family has been so incredibly hard. From June of ‘23 through April 1 2024, my father in law would spend days and weeks in and out of hospitals searching for answers and wanting to get better but the frustration grew while his strength diminished. He spent his last 70 days in a bed between the ICU and step down units until he passed on April 1st.
I spent as much time as I possibly could, taking care of things at the house for him, being present with him in the hospital at every opportunity. But I now continue in the aftermath to feel like it’s wasn’t enough. And it makes me so angry. I hate that he’s not here, I hate that I should have told him more often what he meant to me. I hate how there wasn’t more I could do to help him get better.
Letterman and All This Time have been on an almost endless repeat anytime I have to drive somewhere. With every play of the track I find myself screaming the lyrics louder, the tears flowing more, and relief never coming. Grief being unexpressed love but I’m sitting in so much anger.
I’m not really sure where I wanted this to go other than to say the songs have been making me feel seen in all the grief. The relatability is high. I just want to feel normal again though.