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Hi all, looking for advice on going back to photography. I plan to mainly use it to take pictures of my kids, and nature (especially birds) when we go out on family holidays (Disney, etc).
I used to shoot Pentax and had a K-x and then a K-5. Used to have a 18-55mm kit lens, 50-300mm zoom, and a 50mm F1.2 fixed lens that I absolutely loved. The bokeh was amazing.
But that was years and years ago. So I've no clue what's the recommendation to go now.
My budget is $2,000, but it doesn't mean I need to spend up to there. I consider myself a beginner, in the grand scheme of things. I want something light so that I actually want to bring it along. But I also want something that I could grow into again.
I don't have any lenses or kit anymore. So I'm open to all brands.
Thanks for your help!
Title sounds terrible, so let me explain. And obviously I love my mother, she’s great and I don’t resent her, I just think I might start to as I get older because of this situation.
I’ve had some conversations with my parents lately regarding money/inheritance, their will/trust. You get the picture.
Ultimately my grandpa (dad’s side) left an inheritance to his grandchildren that is to be used to help towards house/wedding. Nothing crazy, but obviously it’s much appreciated and mine is still sitting in a brokerage account as I haven’t bought a house in this market or gotten married.
I think this ultimately makes my dad feel like he needs to do something similar otherwise he’d be a “failure”, and he also wants to leave us behind some money, regardless of that it seems. He was always a stickler saving money growing up so this is a bit of a 180 tbh.
Now to the point. My dad has expressed wanting to leave behind an inheritance. And my mom has made it clear she would prefer to spend the money traveling. The REAL issue is that my dad has health concerns and (likely) won’t live nearly as long as my mom. The resentment comes into play because we are talking that my mom would have to spend approx $8M on her travels, which I actually think she could do over the 20 or so years without my dad…. I think there could be a happy medium here and ultimately my dad could do something in the will/trust where she can’t touch a certain amount, but idk. It’d be tough knowing that instead of having a head start in life, my mom is choosing to be on cruises, jet setting around the world with no regard for her kids future. But also that’s the money they earned, it’s not mine, and obviously she deserves the retirement she’s wanted. I’m torn.
Hello, I posted something here asking what to do because someone was threatening to post my friend's nude pics. I deleted the post because maraming nag memessage na hindi daw totoo yung sinasabi ko na hindi kasalanan ng friend ko na nagkaroon siya ng nude pics dahil imposible daw na may kumalat kung wala siyang sinend. So here's what happened
January, may nag chat sa friend ko asking for a help sa research survey nila. Turns out that the person who message her was a hacker and may masama pong plano. He hacked an account and used it to message my friend. Since my friend was really helpful, specially when it comes to acads, nag reply siya sa message and she just answered the questions. At first, tungkol lang po sa phone yung questions like "how long are u using your phone?" "What apps do u frequently use?"
The culprit then asked my friend to download their app because apparently, they are working on the app called "phone doctor". He sent a link and asked my friend to download it. He told my friend that she should allow the app's access to the camera, storage, contacts, etc... or else the app won't work properly. My friend obliged because she thought that it's really for their research project and she wanted to help that person sa survey nila.
So the app was already downloaded, the culprit had an access on her camera. Binabantayan niya yung actions ng friend ko through the camera. Dinadala ng friend ko yung phone sa cr for music, the culprit got the chance to take a naked photo of her without my friend knowing.
This month of May, a dummy account messaged my friend. He sent the nude pictures and threatened her to send more naked pics with 6 MONTHS or else he will leak those photos.
Magaling po yung hacker kaya naghihirapan kami sa paggawa ng aksyon. We went to the police and ang sinabi lang po ay hihintayin daw na magpakita yung suspect (entrapment). My friend didn't send nude pics, sinabayan at kina kausap niya lang yung suspect para hindi siya magduda.
The suspect was really crazy since he told my friend na marami na daw siyang na biktima sa IG, FB, etc.. pag nabiktima daw niya ay binibigyan niya ng 1 year or 6 months para makapag send ng nude pics for his own pleasure.
Nahihirapan po kami na ma locate siya dahil hindi kami makapag post for awareness lalo na't magaling sa technology yung suspect at mahuli kami, baka mas malala pa yung gawin. He said that it's for his own pleasure but we're not sure, maybe pine perahan niya yung pics na nakukuha niya sa iba't ibang babae.
Mas mapapadali siguro if alam namin kung sino pa ang mga na biktima ng taong to para maraming magtulungan to imprison him. But we can't ask for help through social media or anything dahil nakabantay po yung hacker.
I'm also worried for my friend because hindi siya safe sa surroundings niya. She has a class sched that ends at night so delikado everytime umuuwi siya.
Hey everyone I'm 21 F from Madhya Pradesh, I come from a middle class family. I have two members in my family my mom and younger brother. Dad passed away when I was 17. I had a gap between my two front teeth (a condition called mid line diastema). People used to mock me for my gap, I used to feel conscious smiling for pictures. I always wished for a beautiful smile, my teeth were white and healthy, the only concern was the gap.
My dentsist told me that it can be treated through any of the three options ,braces, filling and crowns. He told me that braces would take three years for the result and that the composite filling would break if I eat and for crowns he said that it would last 15 years and then to be replaced.
I agreed for crowns as I did not want braces as it would have affected my other teeth as well. Also my dentist had told me that by capping/ crowning these teeth the diastema won't increase.
My dentist did not inform me that crowning healthy teeth may compromise it's strength and life and there is future possibilities of the development of infection or decay or the teeth needing root canal.
He said that he is just gonna trim them. He gave me anaesthesia and shaved my teeth so much that the outer layer (enamel) of the teeth was all gone. I felt so bad for my teeth but still I thought that maybe this is the part of the process.
After that he took impression of my mouth for zirconia crown. He did not take any x ray prior the treatment or post the treatment.
The dentist was recommended to me by my bestfriend who herself had a bridge placed from the same dentist. She recommended me the dentist.
After I got my teeth trimmed, next day she called me and told me not to get treatment done from him as he is not good. I felt so baad and angry at her but because the treatment had already begun and my teeth. were already trimmed so I no option to go back.
My dentist place a zirconia bridge(two crowns joined on my front teeth) for first week it used to pain a lot. I was not happy with the pain but still I beared it got my bite adjusted. I started having TMJ issues after that. My other teeth used to hurt as well due to the crowns so I decided to consult another dentist.
when I consulted another dentist she told me About the risks of the treatment I had undergone. Till now I was unaware of the risks. She told me that as my bridge is placed without any prior root canal it is prone to be lost in next 6-7 years. I cried so much.
My upper lip now looks raised as I had overbite but instead of suggesting me to correct my bite first he persuaded me for crowns.
After this I posted a negative review calling the dentist scam, he called me and threatened me to remove the review.Also he defends himself by saying that he did the treatment I wished for. I have realised now that the dentist has surely did this for money.
Ever since then I am worried about my teeth, they still hurt so much. I don't smile anymore. My intention was never to harm these teeth. I curse myself everyday now for having this done to my teeth. I cry so much. My appetite has reduced. I'm scared that I'm going to loose these teeth early in next 10 years. I'm too young to loose these teeth. I now have no courage left.
I know that I'm not the only one struggling with physical ailments and there are many other unfortunate people who are suffering more than me. But to accept the fact that I have made such a major mistake that is going to have such serious consequences is unbearable to me. How can I live with blaming myself everyday? I have lost faith not only in the world but myself as I feel that I am good for nothing and anyone can trick. I worry for myself as how am I gonna survive in this world? I wish if my dad was here to protect me than this would have never happened.
I have lost faith in the only bestfriend I have as she recommended me the same dentist and also encouraged me for getting the treatment done even when she herself has undergone the similar treatment six months before I got mine, and is facing the same problems. Now she says that she never knew that these problems were gonna occur to me aswell.
I have no one to share my pain as I know whoever I share with is going to blame me for getting the treatment done. But no one is ever going to understand the pain I'm going through. Now I'm also worried what if this causes any problem in me getting married. For any girl her beauty matters but I myself have ruined mine. I am all alone into this can't share with mom as she herself gets worried. I can't trouble her more. I don't know how am I going to live with these teeth for my entire life.
I would appreciate your honest views on my situation, I know I'm stupid and naive. I hate myself for this stupidity.
Hey everyone I'm 21 F from India, I come from a middle class family. I have two members in my family my mom and younger brother. Dad passed away when I was 17. I had a gap between my two front teeth (a condition called mid line diastema). People used to mock me for my gap, I used to feel conscious smiling for pictures. I always wished for a beautiful smile, my teeth were white and healthy, the only concern was the gap.
My dentsist told me that it can be treated through any of the three options ,braces, filling and crowns. He told me that braces would take three years for the result and that the composite filling would break if I eat and for crowns he said that it would last 15 years and then to be replaced.
I agreed for crowns as I did not want braces as it would have affected my other teeth as well. Also my dentist had told me that by capping/ crowning these teeth the diastema won't increase.
My dentist did not inform me that crowning healthy teeth may compromise it's strength and life and there is future possibilities of the development of infection or decay or the teeth needing root canal.
He said that he is just gonna trim them. He gave me anaesthesia and shaved my teeth so much that the outer layer (enamel) of the teeth was all gone. I felt so bad for my teeth but still I thought that maybe this is the part of the process.
After that he took impression of my mouth for zirconia crown. He did not take any x ray prior the treatment or post the treatment.
The dentist was recommended to me by my bestfriend who herself had a bridge placed from the same dentist. She recommended me the dentist.
After I got my teeth trimmed, next day she called me and told me not to get treatment done from him as he is not good. I felt so baad and angry at her but because the treatment had already begun and my teeth. were already trimmed so I no option to go back.
My dentist placed a zirconia bridge(two crowns joined on my front teeth) for first week it used to pain a lot. I was not happy with the pain but still I beared it got my bite adjusted. I started having TMJ issues after that. My other teeth used to hurt as well due to the crowns so I decided to consult another dentist.
when I consulted another dentist she told me About the risks of the treatment I had undergone. Till now I was unaware of the risks. She told me that as my bridge is placed without any prior root canal it is prone to be lost in next 6-7 years. I cried so much.
My upper lip now looks raised as I had overbite but instead of suggesting me to correct my bite first he persuaded me for crowns.
After this I posted a negative review calling the dentist scam, he called me and threatened me to remove the review.Also he defends himself by saying that he did the treatment I wished for. I have realised now that the dentist has surely did this for money.
Ever since then I am worried about my teeth, they still hurt so much. I don't smile anymore. My intention was never to harm these teeth. I curse myself everyday now for having this done to my teeth. I cry so much. My appetite has reduced. I'm scared that I'm going to loose these teeth early in next 10 years. I'm too young to loose these teeth. I now have no courage left.
I know that I'm not the only one struggling with physical ailments and there are many other unfortunate people who are suffering more than me. But to accept the fact that I have made such a major mistake that is going to have such serious consequences is unbearable to me. How can I live with blaming myself everyday? I have lost faith not only in the world but myself as I feel that I am good for nothing and anyone can trick. I worry for myself as how am I gonna survive in this world? I wish if my dad was here to protect me than this would have never happened.
I have lost faith in the only bestfriend I have as she recommended me the same dentist and also encouraged me for getting the treatment done even when she herself has undergone the similar treatment six months before I got mine, and is facing the same problems. Now she says that she never knew that these problems were gonna occur to me aswell.
I have no one to share my pain as I know whoever I share with is going to blame me for getting the treatment done. But no one is ever going to understand the pain I'm going through. Now I'm also worried what if this causes any problem in me getting married. For any girl her beauty matters but I myself have ruined mine. I am all alone into this can't share with mom as she herself gets worried. I can't trouble her more. I don't know how am I going to live with these teeth for my entire life.
I would appreciate your honest views on my situation, I know I'm stupid and naive. I hate myself for this stupidity.
Chapter 4: Fires of Damnation
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June 1, 2030, Tokyo, Japan - 1:00 am JST- 2 and a half hours post-invasion
Aquila Generalis scoured the ruined metropolis. She held a torch in her upper left hand and a gargantuan gladius in her upper right. She had large nets filled with writhing Japanese civilians in her lower left and right appendages. The civilians screamed and squirmed like fish in netting. Some humans were cradling streaming infants and crying children. Others cradled their spouses, elderly parents, or anyone nearby. Most just panicked. A few rational humans used small knives or their teeth to sever the netting, much to the amusement of an onlooking dragon. Movement from an apartment complex caught the attention of a tremendous soldier. The soldier stuck his hand into the ruined apartment complex while the rest stopped and stared at him.
"What are you doing?" Asked another soldier. She raised an eyebrow and gave her fellow soldier a puzzled look.
The giant stretched his right arm, straining himself. He pressed his left arm against the building to maintain balance.
"Need some help?" The amused dragon sneered.
The giant hissed in excretion and annoyance. He stretched his fingers, a determined fervor taking over him. He pushed a desk over, revealing a cowering human. The giant grabbed the human by its legs and dragged the Man toward his eye.
"Got him." The soldier hissed.
Some of the giants began crowding around the building. Most gathered to steal their compatriot's meal, while a few scoured the facility for more humans. The soldier's single eye widened with glee. He licked his lips with anticipation; the sight of fresh meat entranced him in a state of euphoria. A small gust of wind blew towards him as he dragged the screaming human towards his eye. The giants opened their maws in anticipation, a toothy grin plastered on their faces. The human revealed a small device, and the gigantic glutton paid no mind. The monster feasted on many humans when he entered the metropolis. He had never seen such a colossal city nor so many humans packed into one place. This human would be one of his many victims. When the human was before the titan, he sprayed a mysterious substance into the titan's eye. The giant released the human and covered his single elephantine eye. He wailed in pain and stumbled backward, knocking his comrades over. The Mammoth of a Monster cried like a newborn infant while his comrades groaned in pain.
Aquila Generalis glowered at her pathetic legion while the dragon erupted in laughter. Others stopped searching the building to see what the commotion was about. Upon seeing their fellow giant reduced to a weeping wimp, they laughed.
"I'm blind. I'm Blind! I'M BLII-I-I-IND!" The giant wailed.
"I CAN'T SEE. I. CAN'T. SEE-EE!!!" he whipped his eye furiously, Wailing all the while.
Aquila Generalis put the nets down. She marched toward the foolish giant, pulled him to his feet, and glared at her soldiers. They quickly stopped laughing. The dragon, on the other hand, was hooting and hollering.
"I'M bLiNd. I cAn'T sEe. Oh, HeLp MeE!" the dragon jeered.
The general ignored him for the sake of her health. She shook the crying Cyclops, then slapped him.
"What is wrong with you, soldier?"
The cyclops sobbed quietly. "The h-human sp-sprayed me with s-something." He said between sniffles.
The general clutched the bridge of her nose. I do not have time for this. As the general berated the legionnaire, Strange beasts dotted the night sky.
—-----
Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force (JASSDF)
"I have a visual on the targets. Be advised targets have hostages. Do not fire unless you have a clear shot."
—-----
The dragon looked up while the commander chastised her soldier. Upon laying eyes on the strange flying contraptions, the dragon narrowed his eyes.
"Aquila"
"Aquila!"
"Not now, dragon!" The general continued berating the Cyclops.
"Look up, stupid giant."
"Not now, you serpentine-"
The dragon was blown to pieces. His scales, limbs, teeth, and other body parts were scattered on the roof he once stood on. Chaos ensued as the squadron of Mitsubishi F-2 fighters lit up the sky. Before General Aquila could react, A missile hit her head, detonating. Brain matter and skull fragments decorated the buildings, creating a collage of carnage. Most of the legion tried to bring out their slings, only for their bones and organs to paint the metropolis. The few remaining legionnaires fled, leaving their human hostages. Dragons from nearby, alerted by the explosions, came to investigate. A barrage of missiles shot down the dragons that flew toward the squadron. Blood, bone, and flesh rained down on the streets of northern Tokyo.
—-----
“Clear. Send evac for civvies.”
***
June 1, 2030, Tokyo, Japan - 2:00 am JST- 3 and a half hours post-invasion
North Gate- a park in northern Tokyo
The invasion was successful. Thousands of humans fell before the trollish legion of Luath and the elven legion of
Grásta; hundreds more huddled in cages, ready to be processed into food or slaves. The trolls fought in ritualistic combat for their human trophies. At the same time, the elves watched, knowing they would be given most of the quarry due to their inherent superiority. The lesser fae were presented their trophies early: the elderly, infirm, and those too young to be used. With nothing better to do, most of the lesser fae reentered the gate while a select few remained.
Ginearálta de Grásta, General of the
Grásta legion, speaks with one of his soldiers.
"This is quite the nest."
"Agreed, Sir. It is almost…." The soldier marveled at the large city, its towering structures piercing the heavens. "
Impressive," the soldier sighed.
"Uncanny? Yes. Impressive? No. These are intelligent animals capable of fabricating wonders, but animals nonetheless. They mimic our customs, art, and concepts but lack the capacity to create true marvels. True marvels are the domain of those who wield the arcane, for it is the arcane that elevates us to the realm of sapience. Only those capable of wielding the arcane can be called sapient and only sapients can build something impressive. Everything Man creates is a caricature of our achievements; remember that."
"Of course, sir." the soldier said hesitantly.
"You are a fine soldier; what is your title?"
"
Saighdiúir giolcach, sir." the soldier hastily replied.
"I've seen you around, and you show great potential. Your loyalty to Tír na Nog and the elven race cannot be ignored. Follow me."
Saighdiúir Giolcach, The soldier of reeds, obeyed his general's command. The soldier caught glimpses of the dueling trolls from the corner of his eyes as he passed by.
Ginearálta de Grásta and
Saighdiúir Giolcach passed by some trees and bushes until they reached a clearing full of human cages.
Ginearálta de Grásta stepped directly in front of a cage and knelt to get a closer look at the captives.
Saighdiúir Giolcach slowed down and stopped a few feet from his commander.
"Come closer, soldier."
The soldier hesitantly stepped closer and looked inside the cages. Humans were tightly packed inside, shoulder to shoulder, shaking and quietly sobbing. Their clothing was torn and filthy, and their faces were stained with dust and tears. They inched away from the general, squishing each other in the process. The site disgusted him, but he maintained his composure.
"Have you ever seen a human before?" the general asked inquisitively.
"No, sir. My father showed me pictures and told stories, but that's it. My family doesn't have enough money to own half-bloods, let alone pure humans." the soldier replied.
"Well, boy, today is your lucky day. Pick one." The general commanded.
Saighdiúir Giolcach gazed upon the mass of frightened humans. "Humans are master mimics; they cannot wield the arcane. They're just beasts," he repeated to himself as he stared into the cage in front of him.
He stared at a frightened Japanese woman, an adolescent just like him. They're supposed to be animals, but their eyes ... their eyes. Anguish, anxiety, grief, sadness, and so many emotions swirled within those expressive eyes. The outside commotion faded as the soldier drowned in her eyes. As his breathing and heart rate accelerated, he began questioning everything he learned about humanity and the definition of sapience. This isn't right; nothing is right. The soldier of reeds remembered his father's stories of glorious manhunts and successful raids. He remembered his mother's proverbs on magic and how it separated them from their pets and livestock. The elves are the superior race, far superior to humans. Humans are pets, livestock, slaves, and —NO! He took three steps back. He was wrong, his family was wrong, everyone was wrong. This is ₩ⱤØ₦₲. I won't condone this.
"C̸̵̨̨̳͕̙̤̥̞͕͇̦͙̟̲ͭ̋͑ͥͮ̌ͬͬ́̃ͦ̾͆͢͡ē̸̸͇͇̣͓̣̖̲̘̋ͮ̓ͭ̀͑̏̓͗_̙̰͓̲̠̪̮͔̔̎͌ͪ͐̈́̆͘a̢͖̱̱̙̲̩̠̯͔̙̖͚ͤ̈́̇̋ͯͬ͆ͥ̆ͮń̴̡͍̘̠͍̩̺͖̟̲̉ͫ̀ͤͧ̆̈̅͆̂̐̒̋͊̒̋͟͢͟͞͞ͅn̸̛̘̫̯̘̝̱̬͉̝̲͈̿ͪ́́̽ͦ̈ͯ̄͒̈̅̍̚ d͖̣̬͈͚ḭ̛̘͚͕̱́́ͧͭ̓̐̍̽͞ͅl̚į̸̧̹̖͎̻͓ͮ̐̒ͮ̋̂̀ͯ̎̉͐ͦ̑ͦͩͤ͘͟͡s͇̿̃ d͉̬̂ͦ͗è̷̷̻͓̭͎̣̠̱̞̮̦ͤ̈́̓͑̍̒̈̏ͭͯ̕͘͘͜ Ģ̢̙̼̩̮̪̤̮͚̭͖͖̥͍͈̳̲̠͒̉̂ͥ̔ͨ́ͧ́ͬͤ́ͩ̍ͫ̃͌ͯͤ̕͟͢͝ī̷̡̢̨̧̦̩̩̙͕̦͖̞̠̘̬̰͕ͣͧ̑̾̚͢͠ͅ_̛̀̀̉́ͬ͝o̴̘̭͈̜͍͕͉̤̜̘͖͍̠̎͑́ͫ̍̎̔̏ͮ͂ͩ́͘͟l̸̴̵̵̛̫͎͍͔̜̘͉̭̭̳̻̮̖̉͐̆ͫ̇͑ͧ̿̄͑̍ͦ́̅̅ͯ̀̈ͫ̓̊̍̆̃ć̸̴̵̻̪̻̘̮͎̟̫͚͉̗̳̞̦̒ͪ̇̏̄̈́ͤ͗͘͢͝ͅaͮ̒c̡̡͉̮̟̤̭̻̥̩̗̭͔̺̎̀̀̊̃ͬ̀͆͋̆ͣ̐̄́͛͒̏ͩ̾͆̾ͯ̚͟͡ͅͅh͎̞͓̳̞͙̼̱͇͓͂ͨͧ̂ͩͣ̈́̈͗̿̓̆͂́̈́͗ͯ̆ͩ̕͝͞ͅͅ, you faithless fool." The general growled. Arcane power filled his lungs.
The general stood up, turned around, and scowled at the boy. At the invocation of his true name, the soldier froze. The general's magic seeped into his body, causing a sharp, burning pain to envelop him.
Despite the agony, C̸̵̨̨̳͕̙̤̥̞͕͇̦͙̟̲ͭ̋͑ͥͮ̌ͬͬ́̃ͦ̾͆͢͡ē̸̸͇͇̣͓̣̖̲̘̋ͮ̓ͭ̀͑̏̓͗_̙̰͓̲̠̪̮͔̔̎͌ͪ͐̈́̆͘a̢͖̱̱̙̲̩̠̯͔̙̖͚ͤ̈́̇̋ͯͬ͆ͥ̆ͮń̴̡͍̘̠͍̩̺͖̟̲̉ͫ̀ͤͧ̆̈̅͆̂̐̒̋͊̒̋͟͢͟͞͞ͅn̸̛̘̫̯̘̝̱̬͉̝̲͈̿ͪ́́̽ͦ̈ͯ̄͒̈̅̍̚ d͖̣̬͈͚ḭ̛̘͚͕̱́́ͧͭ̓̐̍̽͞ͅl̚į̸̧̹̖͎̻͓ͮ̐̒ͮ̋̂̀ͯ̎̉͐ͦ̑ͦͩͤ͘͟͡s͇̿̃ d͉̬̂ͦ͗è̷̷̻͓̭͎̣̠̱̞̮̦ͤ̈́̓͑̍̒̈̏ͭͯ̕͘͘͜ Ģ̢̙̼̩̮̪̤̮͚̭͖͖̥͍͈̳̲̠͒̉̂ͥ̔ͨ́ͧ́ͬͤ́ͩ̍ͫ̃͌ͯͤ̕͟͢͝ī̷̡̢̨̧̦̩̩̙͕̦͖̞̠̘̬̰͕ͣͧ̑̾̚͢͠ͅ_̛̀̀̉́ͬ͝o̴̘̭͈̜͍͕͉̤̜̘͖͍̠̎͑́ͫ̍̎̔̏ͮ͂ͩ́͘͟l̸̴̵̵̛̫͎͍͔̜̘͉̭̭̳̻̮̖̉͐̆ͫ̇͑ͧ̿̄͑̍ͦ́̅̅ͯ̀̈ͫ̓̊̍̆̃ć̸̴̵̻̪̻̘̮͎̟̫͚͉̗̳̞̦̒ͪ̇̏̄̈́ͤ͗͘͢͝ͅaͮ̒c̡̡͉̮̟̤̭̻̥̩̗̭͔̺̎̀̀̊̃ͬ̀͆͋̆ͣ̐̄́͛͒̏ͩ̾͆̾ͯ̚͟͡ͅͅh͎̞͓̳̞͙̼̱͇͓͂ͨͧ̂ͩͣ̈́̈͗̿̓̆͂́̈́͗ͯ̆ͩ̕͝͞ͅͅ spoke.
"This-Ack ₩ⱤØ₦₲, you-ack, every-ack..." He sputtered as blue blood leaked from his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes. Tears tried to crawl from his pale yellow eyes, but he held them back. He could feel his skin turn to bark, lungs to heartwood, hair to leaves, and eyes to flowers.
"F̴̭̤̘̣̖̏̈͒̄ͫ̿͘͢a̢̰̳̦̺͓̥̗͉̦̻̖͇̯̹̺̓͆͗̀ͪ͌̈́ͧͯͧ͆̃̌̒̕͘͢͢͠͞͡i̛̩̙͕͌̉͂̇̃_̪̳̺͕̮͕̽͑t̸̶̿_̲͉͆h̶̷͚̣̠̥̪̳̲̝̳̱̟̫̯͍̝̩̱̱̦͎͇̳̯͇̱̜ͧ̃ͩ̐ͤ͆̏̈́̈ͪͪ͛ͧ͌̓̌͢͞f̷̘ͬ_̳̅ȕ̸̷̴̢̱͉̩̯̲̹̝̙͙̈ͣͨ̆͋͗̓͋̿͊̔͛̋̍̕͢ͅl̉̎͝͡ ǫ̧̺̲͍̯͖͙̥̦̦̮̇̑̈͆ͨ̈́̅̉̈ͯͥ́͌̃ͭ͘͜n̨̧̰̜̭̪͎ͥ̽ͪ̅̑ͦ͒͌̆ͮ̋͐͟͠e_̧̞͖͓̺͓̦̝̞̾͆̆͆̎̈ͬ̈́̑͗ͨ͟͠ͅ ǫ̷̴͎̙̥̝̝́̊ͫ̒͑͑ͨͥͨ̌̑͆̉͟͟f̲̗̜̤̪͉̪̮̘͙ͪͪͫͤ̄̂̌̐͑̽̉ͅ t̛̖̝̻͓̏͋̀̊̒͘͡͞h͔̜͕͖̼͋ͤ̇_̠̾e̡̳͉̟ͪ̍ͬ̊͡ r̷̨̛̛̘̦͓̭̙ͣ͑̍ͬ̈́̋̄ͮ̓ͦ͑͗͑̎̓͗͘͜͜ế̴̴̝̲̗͖̦̫̭͔͈̺̘̖̲̜̱͍͈̓͆͒̉̒ͫ̇̋̑ͧͮ̕͘͢͜͞͞͞ed̶̛̛̟̘̖̻̎̓ͯͨ̓͌̇͐̍̍͗̄̚̚͟ͅs̛͔̞̮̩̫̭̠̞̼̗̼ͮ̅̈̅ͯͧ̂̋̉̊̏͢͜,̨̡̠̰̰̇ͪ͊͂̏̈́ͮ̌̈ͪ̌̆̎͒͝ ẙ̵̷̡̡̛̛̬̺͈͎̭̟̲̻̲̥̩̗͉̔͋̑̏͐́ͥ͆̈̋ͪ͜͢͡ͅo̷̡̻̝̜̹̳͓͖̞ͯ̾͒̀́̇̍͂ͦ͘͘̚͟͢u̸̸̸̟͚̮͙͉̳̗̥̮̜̞͈͚͈̜̩̠̘̇̊ͥ͗ͣ̋̄͗̈́ͭ͆̾̈̃ͣ̔͆͑̑͐̽͟͢͝ ą̡̝̰͙̰̖͉͕̂ͨͬ̑͛́̂ͨ̋̏̾ͦ̑͠ŗ̴̠̭̦̺̖͍̘̖̦̗̞͕̦͉ͯ̂͐ͥͦ̀̒̀͊̄͌ͧ͊̄̾̍́̎̏ͩ̏ͮ͘̕͟ͅę̶̡̢͍̬͎̗̹̖̟̦͇̼̼͎͉̗̜̔̎́́̀ͪ͛ͪ͒̌͋͗̉̄̾͊̒̿̈ͪ̔͑̕̕͠͞ ń̵̢̨̧̹̲̮̮̝̣̩͙͚̠̥̻́̾ͤ́̀́̌̅̋͛̅̎ͩ̅̆͑ͧ͜͢͠͝͡_̡ͯ̎̎͑ͫ͛ơ̷̵̧̡͙͖͙̤͓͓̗̼͕͈̬̱̰̺̖ͣͩ͐͆͋̏̇́ͩ̈͐͗ͤ̾̎͗ͫ̑ͯͮ͂̉̃͘͜͠ f̟̞̥͇ͯ͛̄͆ͬ͒̊́á̯̬̄ͫ͝_̵̼̦̥͖͎͈̝̠̬̹̤̦̰̰͕͔̞̊̃͌ͦ̔̎̓̋ͯ̀ͫ͂͞͡ͅě̡̛̬̜̥̩͓͚̫̳̭̖͔̒̍͛ͨ̾̏̃̚͢͟͠.̵̡̟̲̗̤͙̺̌̍͐ͨ̌͂ͣ͂ͥ͋̑̾ͪ̈́̇ͣ͂͆̃͞"
BANG.
Ceann dílis fell to the ground, gasping for air and too weak to stand. Japanese soldiers, carrying strange sticks, came seemingly from nowhere. Most Japanese soldiers rushed to break open the cages. Some stood over the dead general and the child soldier, who openly wept, paralyzed, and petrified.
"Sir, we have a child in desperate need of medical aid." A Japanese soldier spoke through a strange object.
The boy sobbed loudly.
—-----
"It wasn't supposed to be like this."
Ginearálta de Luath, general of the
Luath legion, whispered.
The humans had unleashed something, which wiped out the
Grásta legion in seconds by filling the soldiers with metal stones. The stones were so fast, he couldn't stop them. They tore through the elves with ease and left marks on his skin. He used his magic to find the killers, but before he could retaliate, what could only be described as metal beasts launched fire blasts at him, exterminating most of his legion. Now, all he could do was run and hide. He climbed over the crumbling remains of his troll brothers and past the lesser fae, who chose to surrender. He was the only one alive to make it through the northern gate. The humans of this world can do magic. Somehow, in 200 years, they acquired arcane power. He didn't know how it happened, but what he did know was that Man was no longer prey. The humans of this world would bring perdition to Tír na Nog.
{A/N: Hey guys, I did not die and this series was not canceled. These last two college semesters kicked my ass and burnt the heck out of me. It took me a while, but here it is chapter 4. I want to post as many chapters as possible before the next college semester starts. If you have any feedback or questions, I will happily respond.}
Aquila Generalis pronounced (Ah-KWEE-lah jen-eh-RAH-lis)
Luath pronounced (LOO-ah)
Ginearálta de Luath pronounced (Jin-ah-RAWL-tah deh LOO-ah)
Grásta pronounced (GRAH-stah)
Ginearálta de Grásta pronounced (Jin-ah-RAWL-tah deh GRAH-stah)
Saighdiúir Giolcach pronounced (SAH-ee-joo-ir gee-ul-kahkh)
Ceann dílis pronounced (Kyann DEE-lish)
C̸̵̨̨̳͕̙̤̥̞͕͇̦͙̟̲ͭ̋͑ͥͮ̌ͬͬ́̃ͦ̾͆͢͡ē̸̸͇͇̣͓̣̖̲̘̋ͮ̓ͭ̀͑̏̓͗_̙̰͓̲̠̪̮͔̔̎͌ͪ͐̈́̆͘a̢͖̱̱̙̲̩̠̯͔̙̖͚ͤ̈́̇̋ͯͬ͆ͥ̆ͮń̴̡͍̘̠͍̩̺͖̟̲̉ͫ̀ͤͧ̆̈̅͆̂̐̒̋͊̒̋͟͢͟͞͞ͅn̸̛̘̫̯̘̝̱̬͉̝̲͈̿ͪ́́̽ͦ̈ͯ̄͒̈̅̍̚ d͖̣̬͈͚ḭ̛̘͚͕̱́́ͧͭ̓̐̍̽͞ͅl̚į̸̧̹̖͎̻͓ͮ̐̒ͮ̋̂̀ͯ̎̉͐ͦ̑ͦͩͤ͘͟͡s͇̿̃ d͉̬̂ͦ͗è̷̷̻͓̭͎̣̠̱̞̮̦ͤ̈́̓͑̍̒̈̏ͭͯ̕͘͘͜ Ģ̢̙̼̩̮̪̤̮͚̭͖͖̥͍͈̳̲̠͒̉̂ͥ̔ͨ́ͧ́ͬͤ́ͩ̍ͫ̃͌ͯͤ̕͟͢͝ī̷̡̢̨̧̦̩̩̙͕̦͖̞̠̘̬̰͕ͣͧ̑̾̚͢͠ͅ_̛̀̀̉́ͬ͝o̴̘̭͈̜͍͕͉̤̜̘͖͍̠̎͑́ͫ̍̎̔̏ͮ͂ͩ́͘͟l̸̴̵̵̛̫͎͍͔̜̘͉̭̭̳̻̮̖̉͐̆ͫ̇͑ͧ̿̄͑̍ͦ́̅̅ͯ̀̈ͫ̓̊̍̆̃ć̸̴̵̻̪̻̘̮͎̟̫͚͉̗̳̞̦̒ͪ̇̏̄̈́ͤ͗͘͢͝ͅaͮ̒c̡̡͉̮̟̤̭̻̥̩̗̭͔̺̎̀̀̊̃ͬ̀͆͋̆ͣ̐̄́͛͒̏ͩ̾͆̾ͯ̚͟͡ͅͅh͎̞͓̳̞͙̼̱͇͓͂ͨͧ̂ͩͣ̈́̈͗̿̓̆͂́̈́͗ͯ̆ͩ̕͝͞ͅͅ pronounced (Kyann DEE-lish deh gee-ul-kahkh)
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I live near BTM Lake. Hundreds of people go near the lake to take a walk, sit in relative silence and click pictures. However, it is almost daily now that I hear someone getting assaulted by dogs. They are not people who are trying to rile up the dogs. They are just taking a walk.
A lot of dogs I see there have a collar on their necks, suggesting they were pets at some point. Several of them mostly mill around the small hut where fishermen live and sell fishes. While just 2 years ago, there weren't more than 2 or 3 dogs that you could find in each of the street near the lake, now there are more than fifty dogs from NGR Layout to BTM Lake.
The place itself is a dump yard for many people, educated people who dump not only their daily garbage, but also the items like sofas, chair and quite literally refrigerators.
There are many issues that needs attention near this place, but the people getting attacked by the dogs should be handled with priority. Earlier I used to see many people feeding the dogs, but that has stopped almost completely in these streets. I feel that this is not only a local issue, but a whole Bengaluru's. I see dogs roaming about in the tech parks as well. While many people are not bothered by it, I am sure their presence is not because people love them, but because people can't do anything about it.
I once saw a Dhruv Rathee video about this issue, but the solutions suggested in the video were, although great, were too idealistic. I think municipality is doing their job, they have caught and neutered most of them, but that doesn't solve the present issue.
Adopting one is not an option for me and I am sure it is not a possible option for many. What else can be done about it and since I am neither capable nor free enough to mobilize people around me, is there something I can do about it?
I make pet bandanas for a local pet shop. I currently use a 13 year old Viking H Class E20, but I’ve been told by 2 separate people that it’s a “piece of crap”. I keep running into tension issues that seem to go beyond user error.
90% of the time I only use my machine for simple straight stitches on cotton. I just want something reliable that won’t run into tension issues when I have big orders to work on.
The only other sewing I occasionally do is plush making with minky fabric.
I’ve seen the Brother CS7000x recommended here, but I’ve never used a computerized machine before.
The Viking store at Joann recommended the Viking Emerald 116 or 118, and I like the idea of getting a machine that looks similar to my current one, but it’s double the price of the Brother.
Does anyone who also sews simple projects have recommendations for reliable machine? Budget is about $500
Split Face Block, also called Rock Face Block, IS Concrete Block, also known as cement block, cinder block or, if you're being fancy, CMU (concrete masonry unit). (I know the references to various blocks may be technically incorrect - but that's what us common folk call it, right or wrong, so buzz off Mr. Technical.)
Think of a Split Face Block as a concrete block split in two - to make it look similar to stone. That's not technically correct either, but I'm not manufacturing SFB, are you?
Pros: Split Face Block is super porous. It's great garden block. It allows water to flow through it freely to properly drain a raised garden bed!
Split Face Block is cheap. It's a lot cheaper to buy than natural stone. And its easy for entry-level masons to build with - translation - cheap. Building with Natural Stone requires architectural planning and master-mason level talent - translation - not cheap.
So, you can buy a fancy-looking fake-stone building for a reasonable price and the builder make a really nice buck.
Cons: Split Face Block is super porous. It allows water (and air btw) to flow through it freely. Some SFB building owners have actually reported pictures being blown off the wall during rain storms with heavy winds. (If this has happened to you, please share your story - video would be even better!)
Split Face Block is not cheap. Yes, you can buy a fancy-looking fake-stone building for a reasonable price. BUT...
List of Must Dos for new construction and existing buildings coming, so stayed tuned...
Sneak Peak: Maintain the masonry sealant. Do not be tempted to cheap-out on sealant, you will be sorry.
Please Note: Some block manufacturers have started added water resistant additives, so some Split Face Block buildings currently under construction (2024 forward) may be a decent investment. The jury is still out.
Some people believe (mistakenly) that Split Face Block is no longer being used to build homes - this is simply not true. While most of the Split Face Block buildings the company I work for has repaired were built between 1990-2010, we recently evaluated a 4-unit Split Face Block building that was built in 2021.
Split Face Block Building owners - please tell us your story and share pictures or video Contractors - please refrain from all selling, but please do share your client's Split Face Block stories, pictures or video would be great too Home Inspectors and Real Estate Agents - please share your buyers and sellers' Split Face Block stories.
Looking forward to helping - Have a great day!