Beautiful agony.com vids
Ladies of LPGA Beautiful & Talented Professional Golfers
2019.04.29 08:09 TheGeist2316 Ladies of LPGA Beautiful & Talented Professional Golfers
Featuring Pics/Vids of the beautiful and talented women who tee it up every weekend on the LPGAKLPGAJLPGACLPGAEpsonLET Tours. *Not Affiliated with the LPGA, Other Professional Tours, or their Sponsors*
2020.08.08 04:19 cali_guy18 Gigipapasavvass
The place to post pics, vids and other content related to the beautiful Model and YouTuber Gigi Papasavvas
2020.09.14 13:14 Spicywenner69 Sarahmagusara69
Pics and Vids of beautiful Sarah Magusara
2024.05.29 04:48 MistakeUseful5189 Anua and its marketing issue??
 | Ive been searching anua and found some interesting(and super sus) things submitted by MistakeUseful5189 to koreanskincare [link] [comments] Theres this korean youtube channel that talks about issues of big companies or famous ppl One of the vids thats been over a yr old talks abt anua and related brands In summary, some brands hired multiple ppl to act like beauty youtubers and made them talk about their products - like it isnt even mentioned its an ad. They just acted like normal youtubers trying out products and talked about it in a good way And one of them turns out to be anua?? And seeing how the brands banned in multiple k beauty subreddits, i feel like anua has some sort of marketing issue??? These stuff r not widely known in korea and i feel like ppl still use anua a lot Now im wondering if i should still try out their products tho... Opinions on this? |
2024.05.28 23:39 RubPleasant1111 Peasant revolt killed all three of my children
I was fighting a struggle clash for a county as the Thenn, and a peasant revolt rose up as I fought the most even, two week slog before finally finishing off the opposition and winning the war just to be told that the peasants have taken my capital and killed all three of my beautiful children. I immediately became overwhelmed with stress and even after stack wiping 3 thousand peasants I couldn't even torture the revolt leader without incurring 80 stress due to being craven. The worst bit is that my eldest child had a pet dire wolf which gave him a huge prestige boost and a 105% army damage boost which would have practically let him crush Westeros with ease. I mean, how broken is that perk? This knob just had to grab my perfect succession plan by the balls and twist them like hardcore CBT vid. I'm actually irate over this.
submitted by RubPleasant1111 to CK3AGOT [link] [comments]
2024.05.28 21:09 Theeaglestrikes I’m a 999 operator, and people claim to keep seeing a disturbing contortionist who died in 2022.
Details such as names, dates, and locations have been altered to protect myself and the people of my town, but the story is true.
Everybody in my area knows about Kit Jenson, the Crazed Contortionist. A moniker he posthumously earnt after butchering his wife and taking his own life. The deranged man was a performer. An artist, he would have said. Jenson frequently put on a mesmerising contortionist display at the old theatre in Greentree. A show that was loved, though he was an oddball.
Still, in spite of what folk call him, he did not slaughter Mandy Jenson in a performative way. There was no display of gratuitous grandeur. The two bodies were not packed into some poky space, like a pair of contorted sardines. He beheaded his wife and threw himself from a sixth-floor balcony.
They both died on Tuesday 10th May, 2022. I know that because I’ve researched it extensively. Read and re-read articles until my eyes throbbed. Just to ensure that I’ve not entirely lost my marbles. There's no denying it. They’ve been gone for two years.
That’s why I don’t understand the calls I received on Friday 24th May, 2024. Calls that all stemmed from a town I shall call Greentree.
~Call 1 – 12:40pm~
Operator: 999. Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: Hello. I, erm… I should’ve called earlier, but I just didn’t get it. And now something’s happened. Something awful. Erm, my… My name’s Ian Poole. I work at the care home off Broad Street. Know the one?
Operator: Yes, I do. What’s happened, Ian?
Caller: Well, a few of the folk in the east wing have been acting bizarrely all day. There was an incident, and… Well, they’re starting to frighten me. Frighten all of us.
Operator: I see. What was the incident, Ian? Why did you call the emergency services?
Caller: One of the residents seriously injured someone. It was Mr Harrison, one of our oldest residents. He… Oh, God. He broke Mrs Renley’s legs. I don’t… I don’t…
Operator: Okay. Breathe for me, Ian. It’s going to be okay. I’ll dispatch officers, but I have to ask whether Mr Harrison has pre-existing mental health problems?
Caller: Well, of course he does. You understand the nature of this place, right? It’s a home for dementia patients. Not a retirement village.
Operator: I understand that, Ian. Do you understand why I asked the question? When it comes to crimes committed by dementia sufferers, such incidents rarely result in court action. The patient has no knowledge of what they’re doing.
Caller: Yes, I know. Shit, I’m not trying to throw Mr Harrison in prison. I’m trying to protect everybody. He’s… We sedated him, but now Mrs Renley’s not herself either. I know what you’re thinking. Obviously, she’s not herself, given her injured legs. But it’s the opposite of what you’d expect. She… She should be in pain, but she’s not. She’s just not herself. And this madness is like a disease. It’s spreading throughout the wing. I don’t want to stay in here. None of us want to stay in here.
Operator: Okay. I’ve dispatched some officers, and the ambulance service has been notified. But tell me what happened, Ian. I’m not getting the full picture.
Caller: I know. It’s hard to say what happened though. I saw it, and I still don’t understand. It was a frightening morning. I’m the manager here, but I didn’t arrive until ten. And my co-worker, Susan, was flustered. She’d been crying because Mr Harrison called her a rude name. Well, what’s new there? That’s what I thought, but I didn’t say it out loud, of course. Anyway, Susan said that Mr Harrison was behaving even more strangely than usual. To give you some context, he… He often speaks in broken sentences, he’s practically immobile, and he doesn’t recognise his loved ones. That’s the level of his deterioration. But today, he’s been lucid. Very lucid. He even got up and strolled around. I’ve not seen him walk more than two steps in months.
Operator: Right. How did this lead to an altercation with Mrs…?
Caller: … Renley. Right. Well, she was complaining about Mr Harrison’s incessant chattering. Not a new complaint, mind you. See, he’s always chattering, but it’s usually jumbled nonsense. That’s what I’m trying to explain to you. Today, he’s been speaking in complete sentences, and he’s been saying horrible things. Things that make my skin crawl. I don’t know why. It was nothing particularly threatening, but I feel… He feels dangerous. Well, clearly he’s dangerous.
Operator: What exactly happened between Mr Harrison and Mrs Renley? How did the assault occur?
Caller: Lenny said that Mr Harrison had been ranting for a while. He even wrote down some of the things Mr Harrison was saying, before things became volatile. ‘I am endless.’ That’s one of the things he’s written. What else? Erm… ‘I will endlessly be the greatest artist there has even been. The true one. The stage never dies. I must persist.’
Operator: Right. Mr Harrison said a lot, didn’t he? I hope you don’t take offence, Ian, but none of those sentences sound particularly lucid to me. It sounds exactly like the jumbled rant of a dementia sufferer. Words that mean nothing at all.
Caller: No. I work here every day. Trust me. That wasn’t normal. Look, I get what you’re saying. And you’re right, in a sense. People say and do the strangest things in this place. Things that’ll break your heart or set your hairs on end. But residents often regress to the people they once were, and none of those words match the man that Mr Harrison used to be. He wasn’t a poet or a performer. He didn’t speak eloquently or care for the arts. Back when he used to speak clearly, he didn’t speak like that.
Operator: Ian.
Caller: Fine. I understand. You might be right. After all, we thought the same. I would’ve dismissed it. So would’ve Susan. In fact, we did dismiss it. She dried her eyes, pulled up her bootstraps, and came to the canteen with me. We heard some commotion, and that was when it happened.
Operator: The assault?
Caller: Yeah. Mrs Renley said something Mr Harrison didn’t like. ‘It wasn’t a good show’. According to Lenny, at one point, the man had been doing yoga. Susan and I found that hard to believe, as he’d hardly moved for months. Anyway, Lenny was already heading over to Mr Harrison when Susan and I entered the room, as things were becoming a little too heated.
Operator: What was Mr Harrison saying?
Caller: He called Mrs Renley an ‘uncultured swine without the intellect to digest true art’. Now, this is what I mean. I know you don’t know Mr Harrison, but he was a typical bloke. A man of few words. Even when he could talk in full sentences, a year or so ago, he did not speak like that. He hasn’t been himself today. Almost as if somebody else were… Never mind.
Operator: Right. Okay. What about the assault, Ian?
Caller: Oh. Sorry. I’m just… I’m trying to avoid talking about that. Look, I’ve already said what happened. He broke her legs.
Operator: Yes, but I need to know more than that. That’s a very serious assault. Did Mr Harrison use a weapon? You said your co-worker, Lenny, was in the room. Then you and Susan were in the room. Three members of staff. One perpetrator. A man who you told me was mostly immobile. ‘Practically’ immobile, you said. So, why didn’t any of you manage to stop him?
Caller: Our residents have no access to dangerous things. Don’t try to turn this into an investigation of Greentree Nursing Home. We operate things properly here.
Operator: I’m not accusing you of anything, Ian. I’m trying to understand how on Earth this happened. So, if he had no weapon, how did Mr Harrison break Mrs Renley’s legs?
Caller: I… I don’t… I don’t want to say. When are the responders getting here?
Operator: In a few minutes. And you don’t have to talk to me, but at some point, you’ll have to answer detailed questions about the incident. You have a duty of care to those residents, and given that such a serious assault occurred whilst three members of staff were present–
Caller: – He used his bare fucking hands. Okay? He… Mr Harrison snapped Mrs Renley like a fucking twig. One leg after the other. Snapped each limb upwards, far past breaking point. I'm looking at her right now. The bones are protruding. There’s blood everywhere. Our trained nurse applied tourniquets and bandaged the wounds, so she says that should’ve stopped the blood loss. Mrs Renley should be okay until the responders arrive. Physically, anyway. I thought about asking for an ambulance when I rang 999, but… Look, we wanted the police. We’re scared. We thought we… Oh, I don’t know anymore.
Operator: Don’t worry about that, Ian. I’ve dispatched an ambulance as well. What have you done with Mr Harrison? Does he pose a threat to any residents or members of staff?
Caller: No. We were scared of him at first. Don’t worry. He’s… He’s fine. No threat to any of us. We gave him some Lorazepam to calm him down a little. He’s in his room, and a member of staff is watching him. We’re scared of Mrs Renley now. She’s started sounding like him. Talking about performing on stage. And some of the others have started saying odd things. But Mrs Renley scares me the most. She told me that she ‘could bend her legs a little farther, if I’d just give her a stage’. I don’t… I don’t understand any of this.
Operator: Right… I… Thank you, Ian. Do you want to stay on the phone until the responders arrive? The paramedics should be there before the police. Any second now, in fact.
Caller: Yes, I hear the sirens outside, but I think I should hang up. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I want to go to sleep.
Operator: Okay, Ian. The paramedics will help. I promise.
Call ended at 12:18pm.
Responders arrived to find that five of the residents in the east wing had passed from heart attacks, including Mr Harrison and Mrs Renley. Several others are still in hospital.
When I received this call at the beginning of my shift, it horrified me. I was struggling to come to terms with the thought of such a vicious assault, though I’d heard of worse things. Once, a killer confessed his crime to me. Yet, somehow, this frightened me more than any other call. Something about the dread in the voice of Ian Poole. It was contagious. A disease, like he said.
And it was only the first crumb of Friday’s awful events. Events which took place on a date that carried no significance, though I’ve spent days searching for answers. Searching for whatever ties everything together. I’ve found only one horrible link.
Kit Jenson.
~Call 2 – 3:24pm~
Operator: Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: A strange man is following me home.
Operator: Okay. How long has he been following you?
Caller: Since I left school. Oh, God, he’s still there. He’s still there.
Operator: Okay. It’s all going to be okay. I’m going to send a police officer out to you. Just stay calm for me. Which school was this?
Caller: Greentree High School. My name’s Cora Ashburn.
Operator: Thank you, Cora. Okay. Where are you right now? Is there anyone else around? A group of people who seem safe, perhaps?
Caller: I’m on a street with lots of houses. Wait. Why? Should I do something? Should I knock on a door? I don’t… He’s so close. He’s so close. He seems to be getting closer, no matter how quickly I move. Shit. What’s wrong with him?
Operator: Stay calm, Cora. Do you–
Caller: – What’s wrong with his body? There’s something wrong with his body.
Operator: Do you know the name of the street, Cora?
Caller: Yeah, it’s Crescent Drive. Off Main Street.
Operator: Thank you. The police are coming, okay? And I wasn’t suggesting that you start knocking on doors. I need you to keep walking, okay? Do you see anybody on the pavement?
Caller: Oh, God.
Operator: I’m sorry. I don’t want to frighten you. Breathe for me, Cora. It’s all going to be okay. A responder is on the way, all right? We’re only five minutes from your road. Have you seen anybody else on the street?
Caller: I don’t know. I’m walking, like you said. I don’t want to stop. I’m just moving. He’s so fast though. He’s on his [inaudible]. I don’t know. What is he doing? He doesn’t look real. He looks… His spine is bent. His arms. I’m losing my fucking [inaudible]. I don’t know [inaudible]. Shit.
Operator: Just a few minutes, Cora. You should hear the sirens in the distance. Do you hear them? They’re close.
Caller: I see someone. I see someone in the playground. Should I go to them?
Operator: As long as you stay nearby, Cora. The responders need to be able to easily find you. Who have you seen in the playground? It’ll help to make you identifiable when the responders arrive. A girl in a Greentree uniform, and…?
Caller: It’s a woman. Hey. Help. Help me. A man’s following me. He’s… Oh, God. No, no, no, no, no, no. What’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with you?
Call ended at 3:27pm.
When responders arrived at 3:29pm, they did not find Cora Ashburn. Four days later, she is still missing.
After sweeping the playground beside Crescent Drive, officers found a threadbare cardigan knotted onto two interlinking bars of a jungle gym. Something that only warranted attention because its remaining strands had mostly unravelled from a gaping hole in the centre. Worst of all, upon closer inspection, it appeared to be blood-stained.
After the evidence was brought into the station, an investigating officer recognised the item of clothing from an old case. It was the cardigan found on the corpse of Mandy Jenson. A cardigan that was discarded once the case had swiftly, and decisively, been closed. Two years earlier.
~Call 3 – 6:16pm~
Operator: Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: He’s, erm… He’s got… Oh, he’s wrong, man. He’s all [inaudible] wrong. Like, [inaudible] head’s gone. Head’s coming off, mate. Know what I mean? Y’know?
Operator: Sorry, I didn’t understand any of that. You’re slurring. What’s the emergency?
Caller: Hey, love. Are you okay? Is that [inaudible]? Why are you crying, love? Oh, shit. Did he do that to you? Did he [inaudible]? Fuck me. Fuck.
Operator: Are you okay? Who else is with you? Please tell me what’s happening.
Caller: Don’t… Don’t [inaudible] hang up. I have an emergency. I do. This lass has been… She’s having a rough night, mate. She’s having a… Shit. Fuck.
Operator: Take a deep breath. Just tell me what’s happening. Slowly. Calmly.
Caller: I’ve had a bit to drink.
Operator: I can tell.
Caller: Sorry, I just [inaudible].
Operator: I really need you to speak clearly. What has happened to the woman you mentioned?
Caller: It’s this guy. He was hassling [inaudible]. He was, like, off. Just fucking off. Didn’t really see him. I felt it though. This tall fella. Weird [inaudible] figure. Some creep who vanished when a bunch of us came out of the [inaudible]. Don’t know where he went, but she’s just… She’s [inaudible] rough. He hurt her. There’s so much fucking blood.
Operator: Right. Okay. A man hurt a woman. Where are you?
Caller: In the centre of [inaudible]. Near The Old Arms. In the [inaudible]. The, erm… Where the cars park. The… The car park. Around the back of the pub, y’know?
Operator: I know the pub. Okay. I’ll be sending emergency responders to your location. Stay on the phone, and please do not leave the woman on her own. Are any other people there?
Caller: The others went home. I told the landlord, but he’s gone. Don’t know [inaudible]. Don’t want to leave her. Y’know? There was another woman, but [inaudible] left.
Operator: Do you think I’d be able to talk to the injured woman? Or would you be able to talk to her, at least? Just until the paramedics arrive. Is she breathing? You’ve not described her injuries.
Caller: I, er, [inaudible]. She’s twitching, but she isn’t, like, gonna… She isn’t gonna talk, mate. Her mouth’s all… The man broke her jaw, and she’s just… Do you hear [inaudible]?
Operator: I hear another voice. Is that her?
Caller: Yeah, she’s… I tried to talk to her, but she didn’t [inaudible] words. She just… Oh, shit. Oh, shit, shit, [inaudible]. Where does the [inaudible]? Fucking [inaudible].
Operator: Hello? Are you okay? What’s happening? I’ve dispatched some officers. They’re already in the town centre. Only a couple of minutes away from the pub. Please stay on the phone. Tell me what’s happening.
No intelligible words.
Call ended at 6:25pm
For the remainder of the call, though I tried to communicate with the man, I heard only muffled noises. Crunching and what almost sounded like howls of agony, though the connection was garbled. I pretended that the sounds were perfectly explainable, but that didn’t ease the knot in my gut. I knew something was dreadfully wrong.
Responders arrived at 6:25pm, finding the phone of Robert Anderson outside The Old Arms. And Officer Jeffrey Ross claimed that he had seen something in the alley beside the establishment. The body of a man being ‘misshapen’ by a figure in the darkness. Misshapen. That was the word he used repeatedly.
Officer Isabelle Donaldson didn’t see what her partner alleged to have seen. It was ‘there one moment and gone the next’, in Officer Ross’ words. And he called the alleged figure at the end of the alley ‘recognisable’. Ross told investigators that the perpetrator’s ‘costume’ reminded him of the one Kit Jenson used to wear for his performances at Greentree Theatre.
~Call 4 – 9:19pm~
Operator: Police. What’s your emergency?
Caller: Oh. I needed an ambulance.
Operator: Okay. Well, I –
Caller: – Shush. I need a little bit of quiet, please.
Operator: What is the nature of your–
Caller: – I said ‘shush’.
Operator: I’m afraid I won’t shush. This is an emergency line. Would you like me to patch you through to the ambulance services?
Caller: Maybe I do need the police.
Operator: Okay. What’s happened? What’s happening?
Caller: No, forget it. Forget it. I spoke out of line. It’s… Oh, hello, Kit.
Operator: Is somebody else there? What’s the nature of your emergency?
Caller: I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry.
Operator: Are you okay? Please tell what’s happening. I want to help. Are you not able to talk right now? Is that the problem?
Caller: You’re right, Kit. I didn’t understand your art. Oh, I just didn’t understand, but I do now. I’m sorry I didn’t applaud. Yes. No, of course. The town deserves it. Every last one of us. You’re right. You’re right. You’re right. You’re–
Operator: – Miss, who is in the room with you? Would you be able to give me some sign that you’re in danger? A code word, perhaps? How about ‘house’?
Caller: I’m not ignoring you, sir. I was just talking to him. You will be able to help me. I need somebody to come and find me, so the place doesn’t smell afterwards, you see. It would be a shame for the smell to tarnish the place. Like it did when she…
Operator: Are you having thoughts? What is your state of mind right now? If you give me your location, I –
Caller: – Round Mills. Apartment 201. Yes, I know, Mandy. I know. But he makes such a beautiful point. You see, if I try and fail, I will finally appreciate his art. That’s all he wants. Just a little appreciation. It’s the only way, Mandy. The only way.
Splintering sounds were audible.
Operator: Miss? Miss? What’s happening? I’ve dispatched an ambulance and a couple of officers to your location. If you tell me what’s happened to you, I might be able to help. It’ll certainly help the paramedics.
More splintering sounds were followed by a distant scream.
Caller: Oh. Yes. Yes, you were right, Kit. I got it all wrong. My legs don’t bend that way. Not like yours. My arms. No, I’m not like you, Kit. Not the Incredible Kit. Not the… Oh? Yes, I suppose I should try that too. Yes. I’ll try bending my neck. If I just –
One final splinter sounded.
Call ended at 9:27pm.
Quiet followed the woman’s unfinished sentence. Not silence.
I heard the sound of applause. The slight patter of a person’s slow, measured claps, muffled by the bad reception of the call. And sobbing. Two terrible noises that immediately ceased when the front door of the apartment burst open.
Responders found nobody in the apartment but Rachel Jenson, the sister of Mandy Jenson. Rachel was mangled in a way that made one paramedic vomit, and I’ve been told no more than that. I only learnt of the aftermath, detailed in this post, through a friend of mine who works at Greentree Police Station.
I keep thinking about the scream that I heard. One that, I am certain, did not come from Rachel Jenson. She sounded joyous. Her voice became increasingly unhinged as she brutally contorted her body into sickening configurations.
Thinking about it, I do remember Kit’s final show being quite lacklustre. A performance that took place shortly before his death. I didn’t attend, but I heard from other Greentree residents that he fumbled the finish. Kit attempted to escape from a box in a contorted position, but he failed. His wife had to assist him. There was no applause. Only concerned murmuring from the crowd.
People had speculated for years that something wasn’t quite right with the man, and that’s why I keep thinking about what Rachel said. What Ian said. What all of the callers said. Stories of adoration. Appreciation. Rejection. Anger.
Things make a little more sense, when viewed from the right angle. These stories serve as interlinking pieces of a puzzle, forming the picture of a man who might’ve wanted to punish those who did not applaud his disappointing performance. A disgruntled artist’s revenge against the town that dismissed him. A wife who dismissed him.
In truth, Kit Jenson was simply a sick man. People had heard the whispers about his abusive tendencies for years. All it taken was one bad day to push him over the edge. So, such a man would surely want to hurt all those who did not appreciate him. Not only Mandy.
However, even if that were the case, it wouldn’t explain the entirety of that dreadful day of calls. Kit Jenson died two years ago.
Who, or what, did people see in Greentree?
submitted by Theeaglestrikes to nosleep [link] [comments]
Everybody in my area knows about Kit Jenson, the Crazed Contortionist. A moniker he posthumously earnt after butchering his wife and taking his own life. The deranged man was a performer. An artist, he would have said. Jenson frequently put on a mesmerising contortionist display at the old theatre in Greentree. A show that was loved, though he was an oddball.
Still, in spite of what folk call him, he did not slaughter Mandy Jenson in a performative way. There was no display of gratuitous grandeur. The two bodies were not packed into some poky space, like a pair of contorted sardines. He beheaded his wife and threw himself from a sixth-floor balcony.
They both died on Tuesday 10th May, 2022. I know that because I’ve researched it extensively. Read and re-read articles until my eyes throbbed. Just to ensure that I’ve not entirely lost my marbles. There's no denying it. They’ve been gone for two years.
That’s why I don’t understand the calls I received on Friday 24th May, 2024. Calls that all stemmed from a town I shall call Greentree.
~Call 1 – 12:40pm~
Operator: 999. Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: Hello. I, erm… I should’ve called earlier, but I just didn’t get it. And now something’s happened. Something awful. Erm, my… My name’s Ian Poole. I work at the care home off Broad Street. Know the one?
Operator: Yes, I do. What’s happened, Ian?
Caller: Well, a few of the folk in the east wing have been acting bizarrely all day. There was an incident, and… Well, they’re starting to frighten me. Frighten all of us.
Operator: I see. What was the incident, Ian? Why did you call the emergency services?
Caller: One of the residents seriously injured someone. It was Mr Harrison, one of our oldest residents. He… Oh, God. He broke Mrs Renley’s legs. I don’t… I don’t…
Operator: Okay. Breathe for me, Ian. It’s going to be okay. I’ll dispatch officers, but I have to ask whether Mr Harrison has pre-existing mental health problems?
Caller: Well, of course he does. You understand the nature of this place, right? It’s a home for dementia patients. Not a retirement village.
Operator: I understand that, Ian. Do you understand why I asked the question? When it comes to crimes committed by dementia sufferers, such incidents rarely result in court action. The patient has no knowledge of what they’re doing.
Caller: Yes, I know. Shit, I’m not trying to throw Mr Harrison in prison. I’m trying to protect everybody. He’s… We sedated him, but now Mrs Renley’s not herself either. I know what you’re thinking. Obviously, she’s not herself, given her injured legs. But it’s the opposite of what you’d expect. She… She should be in pain, but she’s not. She’s just not herself. And this madness is like a disease. It’s spreading throughout the wing. I don’t want to stay in here. None of us want to stay in here.
Operator: Okay. I’ve dispatched some officers, and the ambulance service has been notified. But tell me what happened, Ian. I’m not getting the full picture.
Caller: I know. It’s hard to say what happened though. I saw it, and I still don’t understand. It was a frightening morning. I’m the manager here, but I didn’t arrive until ten. And my co-worker, Susan, was flustered. She’d been crying because Mr Harrison called her a rude name. Well, what’s new there? That’s what I thought, but I didn’t say it out loud, of course. Anyway, Susan said that Mr Harrison was behaving even more strangely than usual. To give you some context, he… He often speaks in broken sentences, he’s practically immobile, and he doesn’t recognise his loved ones. That’s the level of his deterioration. But today, he’s been lucid. Very lucid. He even got up and strolled around. I’ve not seen him walk more than two steps in months.
Operator: Right. How did this lead to an altercation with Mrs…?
Caller: … Renley. Right. Well, she was complaining about Mr Harrison’s incessant chattering. Not a new complaint, mind you. See, he’s always chattering, but it’s usually jumbled nonsense. That’s what I’m trying to explain to you. Today, he’s been speaking in complete sentences, and he’s been saying horrible things. Things that make my skin crawl. I don’t know why. It was nothing particularly threatening, but I feel… He feels dangerous. Well, clearly he’s dangerous.
Operator: What exactly happened between Mr Harrison and Mrs Renley? How did the assault occur?
Caller: Lenny said that Mr Harrison had been ranting for a while. He even wrote down some of the things Mr Harrison was saying, before things became volatile. ‘I am endless.’ That’s one of the things he’s written. What else? Erm… ‘I will endlessly be the greatest artist there has even been. The true one. The stage never dies. I must persist.’
Operator: Right. Mr Harrison said a lot, didn’t he? I hope you don’t take offence, Ian, but none of those sentences sound particularly lucid to me. It sounds exactly like the jumbled rant of a dementia sufferer. Words that mean nothing at all.
Caller: No. I work here every day. Trust me. That wasn’t normal. Look, I get what you’re saying. And you’re right, in a sense. People say and do the strangest things in this place. Things that’ll break your heart or set your hairs on end. But residents often regress to the people they once were, and none of those words match the man that Mr Harrison used to be. He wasn’t a poet or a performer. He didn’t speak eloquently or care for the arts. Back when he used to speak clearly, he didn’t speak like that.
Operator: Ian.
Caller: Fine. I understand. You might be right. After all, we thought the same. I would’ve dismissed it. So would’ve Susan. In fact, we did dismiss it. She dried her eyes, pulled up her bootstraps, and came to the canteen with me. We heard some commotion, and that was when it happened.
Operator: The assault?
Caller: Yeah. Mrs Renley said something Mr Harrison didn’t like. ‘It wasn’t a good show’. According to Lenny, at one point, the man had been doing yoga. Susan and I found that hard to believe, as he’d hardly moved for months. Anyway, Lenny was already heading over to Mr Harrison when Susan and I entered the room, as things were becoming a little too heated.
Operator: What was Mr Harrison saying?
Caller: He called Mrs Renley an ‘uncultured swine without the intellect to digest true art’. Now, this is what I mean. I know you don’t know Mr Harrison, but he was a typical bloke. A man of few words. Even when he could talk in full sentences, a year or so ago, he did not speak like that. He hasn’t been himself today. Almost as if somebody else were… Never mind.
Operator: Right. Okay. What about the assault, Ian?
Caller: Oh. Sorry. I’m just… I’m trying to avoid talking about that. Look, I’ve already said what happened. He broke her legs.
Operator: Yes, but I need to know more than that. That’s a very serious assault. Did Mr Harrison use a weapon? You said your co-worker, Lenny, was in the room. Then you and Susan were in the room. Three members of staff. One perpetrator. A man who you told me was mostly immobile. ‘Practically’ immobile, you said. So, why didn’t any of you manage to stop him?
Caller: Our residents have no access to dangerous things. Don’t try to turn this into an investigation of Greentree Nursing Home. We operate things properly here.
Operator: I’m not accusing you of anything, Ian. I’m trying to understand how on Earth this happened. So, if he had no weapon, how did Mr Harrison break Mrs Renley’s legs?
Caller: I… I don’t… I don’t want to say. When are the responders getting here?
Operator: In a few minutes. And you don’t have to talk to me, but at some point, you’ll have to answer detailed questions about the incident. You have a duty of care to those residents, and given that such a serious assault occurred whilst three members of staff were present–
Caller: – He used his bare fucking hands. Okay? He… Mr Harrison snapped Mrs Renley like a fucking twig. One leg after the other. Snapped each limb upwards, far past breaking point. I'm looking at her right now. The bones are protruding. There’s blood everywhere. Our trained nurse applied tourniquets and bandaged the wounds, so she says that should’ve stopped the blood loss. Mrs Renley should be okay until the responders arrive. Physically, anyway. I thought about asking for an ambulance when I rang 999, but… Look, we wanted the police. We’re scared. We thought we… Oh, I don’t know anymore.
Operator: Don’t worry about that, Ian. I’ve dispatched an ambulance as well. What have you done with Mr Harrison? Does he pose a threat to any residents or members of staff?
Caller: No. We were scared of him at first. Don’t worry. He’s… He’s fine. No threat to any of us. We gave him some Lorazepam to calm him down a little. He’s in his room, and a member of staff is watching him. We’re scared of Mrs Renley now. She’s started sounding like him. Talking about performing on stage. And some of the others have started saying odd things. But Mrs Renley scares me the most. She told me that she ‘could bend her legs a little farther, if I’d just give her a stage’. I don’t… I don’t understand any of this.
Operator: Right… I… Thank you, Ian. Do you want to stay on the phone until the responders arrive? The paramedics should be there before the police. Any second now, in fact.
Caller: Yes, I hear the sirens outside, but I think I should hang up. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I want to go to sleep.
Operator: Okay, Ian. The paramedics will help. I promise.
Call ended at 12:18pm.
Responders arrived to find that five of the residents in the east wing had passed from heart attacks, including Mr Harrison and Mrs Renley. Several others are still in hospital.
When I received this call at the beginning of my shift, it horrified me. I was struggling to come to terms with the thought of such a vicious assault, though I’d heard of worse things. Once, a killer confessed his crime to me. Yet, somehow, this frightened me more than any other call. Something about the dread in the voice of Ian Poole. It was contagious. A disease, like he said.
And it was only the first crumb of Friday’s awful events. Events which took place on a date that carried no significance, though I’ve spent days searching for answers. Searching for whatever ties everything together. I’ve found only one horrible link.
Kit Jenson.
~Call 2 – 3:24pm~
Operator: Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: A strange man is following me home.
Operator: Okay. How long has he been following you?
Caller: Since I left school. Oh, God, he’s still there. He’s still there.
Operator: Okay. It’s all going to be okay. I’m going to send a police officer out to you. Just stay calm for me. Which school was this?
Caller: Greentree High School. My name’s Cora Ashburn.
Operator: Thank you, Cora. Okay. Where are you right now? Is there anyone else around? A group of people who seem safe, perhaps?
Caller: I’m on a street with lots of houses. Wait. Why? Should I do something? Should I knock on a door? I don’t… He’s so close. He’s so close. He seems to be getting closer, no matter how quickly I move. Shit. What’s wrong with him?
Operator: Stay calm, Cora. Do you–
Caller: – What’s wrong with his body? There’s something wrong with his body.
Operator: Do you know the name of the street, Cora?
Caller: Yeah, it’s Crescent Drive. Off Main Street.
Operator: Thank you. The police are coming, okay? And I wasn’t suggesting that you start knocking on doors. I need you to keep walking, okay? Do you see anybody on the pavement?
Caller: Oh, God.
Operator: I’m sorry. I don’t want to frighten you. Breathe for me, Cora. It’s all going to be okay. A responder is on the way, all right? We’re only five minutes from your road. Have you seen anybody else on the street?
Caller: I don’t know. I’m walking, like you said. I don’t want to stop. I’m just moving. He’s so fast though. He’s on his [inaudible]. I don’t know. What is he doing? He doesn’t look real. He looks… His spine is bent. His arms. I’m losing my fucking [inaudible]. I don’t know [inaudible]. Shit.
Operator: Just a few minutes, Cora. You should hear the sirens in the distance. Do you hear them? They’re close.
Caller: I see someone. I see someone in the playground. Should I go to them?
Operator: As long as you stay nearby, Cora. The responders need to be able to easily find you. Who have you seen in the playground? It’ll help to make you identifiable when the responders arrive. A girl in a Greentree uniform, and…?
Caller: It’s a woman. Hey. Help. Help me. A man’s following me. He’s… Oh, God. No, no, no, no, no, no. What’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with you?
Call ended at 3:27pm.
When responders arrived at 3:29pm, they did not find Cora Ashburn. Four days later, she is still missing.
After sweeping the playground beside Crescent Drive, officers found a threadbare cardigan knotted onto two interlinking bars of a jungle gym. Something that only warranted attention because its remaining strands had mostly unravelled from a gaping hole in the centre. Worst of all, upon closer inspection, it appeared to be blood-stained.
After the evidence was brought into the station, an investigating officer recognised the item of clothing from an old case. It was the cardigan found on the corpse of Mandy Jenson. A cardigan that was discarded once the case had swiftly, and decisively, been closed. Two years earlier.
~Call 3 – 6:16pm~
Operator: Police. What is the nature of your emergency?
Caller: He’s, erm… He’s got… Oh, he’s wrong, man. He’s all [inaudible] wrong. Like, [inaudible] head’s gone. Head’s coming off, mate. Know what I mean? Y’know?
Operator: Sorry, I didn’t understand any of that. You’re slurring. What’s the emergency?
Caller: Hey, love. Are you okay? Is that [inaudible]? Why are you crying, love? Oh, shit. Did he do that to you? Did he [inaudible]? Fuck me. Fuck.
Operator: Are you okay? Who else is with you? Please tell me what’s happening.
Caller: Don’t… Don’t [inaudible] hang up. I have an emergency. I do. This lass has been… She’s having a rough night, mate. She’s having a… Shit. Fuck.
Operator: Take a deep breath. Just tell me what’s happening. Slowly. Calmly.
Caller: I’ve had a bit to drink.
Operator: I can tell.
Caller: Sorry, I just [inaudible].
Operator: I really need you to speak clearly. What has happened to the woman you mentioned?
Caller: It’s this guy. He was hassling [inaudible]. He was, like, off. Just fucking off. Didn’t really see him. I felt it though. This tall fella. Weird [inaudible] figure. Some creep who vanished when a bunch of us came out of the [inaudible]. Don’t know where he went, but she’s just… She’s [inaudible] rough. He hurt her. There’s so much fucking blood.
Operator: Right. Okay. A man hurt a woman. Where are you?
Caller: In the centre of [inaudible]. Near The Old Arms. In the [inaudible]. The, erm… Where the cars park. The… The car park. Around the back of the pub, y’know?
Operator: I know the pub. Okay. I’ll be sending emergency responders to your location. Stay on the phone, and please do not leave the woman on her own. Are any other people there?
Caller: The others went home. I told the landlord, but he’s gone. Don’t know [inaudible]. Don’t want to leave her. Y’know? There was another woman, but [inaudible] left.
Operator: Do you think I’d be able to talk to the injured woman? Or would you be able to talk to her, at least? Just until the paramedics arrive. Is she breathing? You’ve not described her injuries.
Caller: I, er, [inaudible]. She’s twitching, but she isn’t, like, gonna… She isn’t gonna talk, mate. Her mouth’s all… The man broke her jaw, and she’s just… Do you hear [inaudible]?
Operator: I hear another voice. Is that her?
Caller: Yeah, she’s… I tried to talk to her, but she didn’t [inaudible] words. She just… Oh, shit. Oh, shit, shit, [inaudible]. Where does the [inaudible]? Fucking [inaudible].
Operator: Hello? Are you okay? What’s happening? I’ve dispatched some officers. They’re already in the town centre. Only a couple of minutes away from the pub. Please stay on the phone. Tell me what’s happening.
No intelligible words.
Call ended at 6:25pm
For the remainder of the call, though I tried to communicate with the man, I heard only muffled noises. Crunching and what almost sounded like howls of agony, though the connection was garbled. I pretended that the sounds were perfectly explainable, but that didn’t ease the knot in my gut. I knew something was dreadfully wrong.
Responders arrived at 6:25pm, finding the phone of Robert Anderson outside The Old Arms. And Officer Jeffrey Ross claimed that he had seen something in the alley beside the establishment. The body of a man being ‘misshapen’ by a figure in the darkness. Misshapen. That was the word he used repeatedly.
Officer Isabelle Donaldson didn’t see what her partner alleged to have seen. It was ‘there one moment and gone the next’, in Officer Ross’ words. And he called the alleged figure at the end of the alley ‘recognisable’. Ross told investigators that the perpetrator’s ‘costume’ reminded him of the one Kit Jenson used to wear for his performances at Greentree Theatre.
~Call 4 – 9:19pm~
Operator: Police. What’s your emergency?
Caller: Oh. I needed an ambulance.
Operator: Okay. Well, I –
Caller: – Shush. I need a little bit of quiet, please.
Operator: What is the nature of your–
Caller: – I said ‘shush’.
Operator: I’m afraid I won’t shush. This is an emergency line. Would you like me to patch you through to the ambulance services?
Caller: Maybe I do need the police.
Operator: Okay. What’s happened? What’s happening?
Caller: No, forget it. Forget it. I spoke out of line. It’s… Oh, hello, Kit.
Operator: Is somebody else there? What’s the nature of your emergency?
Caller: I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry. I said I was sorry.
Operator: Are you okay? Please tell what’s happening. I want to help. Are you not able to talk right now? Is that the problem?
Caller: You’re right, Kit. I didn’t understand your art. Oh, I just didn’t understand, but I do now. I’m sorry I didn’t applaud. Yes. No, of course. The town deserves it. Every last one of us. You’re right. You’re right. You’re right. You’re–
Operator: – Miss, who is in the room with you? Would you be able to give me some sign that you’re in danger? A code word, perhaps? How about ‘house’?
Caller: I’m not ignoring you, sir. I was just talking to him. You will be able to help me. I need somebody to come and find me, so the place doesn’t smell afterwards, you see. It would be a shame for the smell to tarnish the place. Like it did when she…
Operator: Are you having thoughts? What is your state of mind right now? If you give me your location, I –
Caller: – Round Mills. Apartment 201. Yes, I know, Mandy. I know. But he makes such a beautiful point. You see, if I try and fail, I will finally appreciate his art. That’s all he wants. Just a little appreciation. It’s the only way, Mandy. The only way.
Splintering sounds were audible.
Operator: Miss? Miss? What’s happening? I’ve dispatched an ambulance and a couple of officers to your location. If you tell me what’s happened to you, I might be able to help. It’ll certainly help the paramedics.
More splintering sounds were followed by a distant scream.
Caller: Oh. Yes. Yes, you were right, Kit. I got it all wrong. My legs don’t bend that way. Not like yours. My arms. No, I’m not like you, Kit. Not the Incredible Kit. Not the… Oh? Yes, I suppose I should try that too. Yes. I’ll try bending my neck. If I just –
One final splinter sounded.
Call ended at 9:27pm.
Quiet followed the woman’s unfinished sentence. Not silence.
I heard the sound of applause. The slight patter of a person’s slow, measured claps, muffled by the bad reception of the call. And sobbing. Two terrible noises that immediately ceased when the front door of the apartment burst open.
Responders found nobody in the apartment but Rachel Jenson, the sister of Mandy Jenson. Rachel was mangled in a way that made one paramedic vomit, and I’ve been told no more than that. I only learnt of the aftermath, detailed in this post, through a friend of mine who works at Greentree Police Station.
I keep thinking about the scream that I heard. One that, I am certain, did not come from Rachel Jenson. She sounded joyous. Her voice became increasingly unhinged as she brutally contorted her body into sickening configurations.
Thinking about it, I do remember Kit’s final show being quite lacklustre. A performance that took place shortly before his death. I didn’t attend, but I heard from other Greentree residents that he fumbled the finish. Kit attempted to escape from a box in a contorted position, but he failed. His wife had to assist him. There was no applause. Only concerned murmuring from the crowd.
People had speculated for years that something wasn’t quite right with the man, and that’s why I keep thinking about what Rachel said. What Ian said. What all of the callers said. Stories of adoration. Appreciation. Rejection. Anger.
Things make a little more sense, when viewed from the right angle. These stories serve as interlinking pieces of a puzzle, forming the picture of a man who might’ve wanted to punish those who did not applaud his disappointing performance. A disgruntled artist’s revenge against the town that dismissed him. A wife who dismissed him.
In truth, Kit Jenson was simply a sick man. People had heard the whispers about his abusive tendencies for years. All it taken was one bad day to push him over the edge. So, such a man would surely want to hurt all those who did not appreciate him. Not only Mandy.
However, even if that were the case, it wouldn’t explain the entirety of that dreadful day of calls. Kit Jenson died two years ago.
Who, or what, did people see in Greentree?
2024.05.28 19:27 gloomy__pangolin To Build a Starship Part 10
Their trip to the Phobos shipyards was more of the same, with the exception that Captain Oliver had Sundancers AI begin lessons. At first they were resistant to beginning school, but when Sunny explained that the lessons would be on starship manufacturing, assembly and operations, they became more enthusiastic.
In truth, Sunny was clever enough to select a base subject that required them to learn many others, such as mathematics, sciences, and engineering - while wrapped in the fascinating practical necessities of starships. So instead of boredom while learning differential calculus, physics or chemistry, they had an immediate use for their new found knowledge applicable to a very exciting field. Sunny had taken the time to download the two scholastic transcripts before they left their home station. Lan was stronger in mathematics, having completed her first course in calculus and scoring well on testing. Joe was weaker in mathematics, but had done very well in engineering and orbital mechanics for his year.
Sunny's extensive resources made her a good teacher, but it also helped that, being an AI, she was an immortal being with infinite patience, with substantial information on how the human mind worked. Keeping her captain in top shape was her prime directive after all, and she was designed to solve problems. Educating two teenagers would take up less than one tenth of one percent of her neural processing power.
After their arrival at the shipyard, Captain Oliver left the ship alone, as children in the massive industrial station would be very out of place. He was still trying to maintain some appearance of normal operations. Left alone with with the ship, they studied what they could see of the shipyards operations in the view port, and on the screens on the bridge. A large inter system liner was attached to a huge umbilical arm that was both an access tunnel, carrying personnel, materials and equipment into and out of it, and an anchor point, securing the massive vessel to the shipyards structure. The tiny suited figures crawling over the hull resembled crabs crawling over a whale. There was a massive gaping hole in the hull, where it looked like the reactor and major engine components were being removed. Frequent bright sparks of plasma welding and cutting illuminated parts of the scene in sharp black and white relief. As they watched, a massive part of the hull was freed from the ship, being guided away from the construction site by a large powerful arm. The arm released the section and it drifted towards what looked like a floating junkyard. Several of the crabs lifted off from the hulk, and attached themselves to the part, guiding it into a positing and then returning to the work at hand. The shipyards solution to storage of massive objects in space was relatively simple, they just set things off out of they way, made sure their velocity exactly matched the shipyard, and let them float until needed. Only occasional maintenance by one of the work-bots was needed to keep things tidy.
Eventually though, even this unique vista couldn't keep their attention any more. Joe finally left the bridge, and wandered about.
In response to Sunny's question, he said,"I just can't wait anymore, I need something to do." He rejected Sunny's suggestion to resume their class on orbital mechanics. After a few moments his face lit up with an idea.
"Hey!" he said, "How about training in EVA suits and airlock operations? That could be useful!" Sunny considered this, and then acquiesced. Joe and Lan had both been trained since they could walk on how to don the emergency escape suits that were a ubiquitous part of life for families in space. But the EESs were designed to sustain life in a vacuum for up to 72 hours. They were just armored bags with a helmet, mittens, boots, life support and a simple reaction motor with limited burn time. They weren't the elegant working suits that allowed a near acrobatic freedom of motion needed to accomplish complex tasks in space.
Sunny directed Joe to one of the ships airlocks. The airlock itself was the usual chamber with a door that opened to space, a second door that opened to the ships interior, and enough room for several people or reasonably large items to pass through in either direction. Inside the interior door, was another chamber, this one with lockers and suits. The noticed that their names were on two of the lockers. They each opened their respective locker and found hanging inside EVA suits of the latest manufacture, These suits were light weight, using complex carbon nano tube fabric that provided the required fifteen pounds per square inch for their human wearers, while still being very flexible. There was a ring around each neck that fitted a helmet, which provided the user interface for communications, access to water, and of course, air. The helmet was a marvel of engineering, almost unbreakable, the wearer could set any part of it from opaque to transparent as needed using the wrist pad. By turning their head slightly a small tube provided access to water, and audio was picked up and played through tiny transducers. It was very light, and resembled a slightly oval soap bubble. A transponder built into the suit allowed Sunny to track it until the power supplies ran down. The small back-pack carried power, atmosphere regeneration, and water supply. It fit neatly between the shoulder blades and extended downwards to about mid back. It was smooth and permanently part of the suit.
"Please direct your attention to the screen," Sunny said, and one of the wall panels lit up, a suiting up vid played, with Sunny providing commentary and advice on donning and using the suit, it's capabilities, and procedures for exiting and entering the ship. There was some momentary awkwardness when the part about waste handling came up, as the fitment for those functions was specific to the sex of the wearer, and the instructions were detailed and left nothing to the imagination, When venturing out into the most hostile environment known to mankind, information on how to survive trumped modesty or awkward teenager reactions.
When the lesson completed, Sunny directed them to don their suits. They quickly pulled off their ships jumpers, and climbed in to their suits. The compression method of retaining pressure on the wearer meant that any garment that could bunch up or form a wrinkle would become a painful hot spot in a short time, that would become unbearable, and eventually could also cause damage to the wearer so typically their light undergarments were all that was worn while using the suits.
At first the suits appeared almost comically too large, but this was a design feature to enable them to be put on with a minimum of effort. They turned and looked at each other, and with a nod, they pressed the activation panel on their wrist pad. Each suit immediately contracted around their bodies, resembling a second skin. there was a moments discomfort as the suits over contracted, the internal computer testing the fit and suit integrity, then the suits relaxed to their normal skin-tight compression.
At Sunny's direction they moved about the room, getting the feel of wearing the suits. In truth it was like wearing very tight fitting workout clothes. They felt pressure everywhere, but had no trouble moving about.
"Very Good" Sunny observed. "Let's put on the helmets now, and run some final checks." They each collected their helmet from where they floated, and attached a small tether between the helmet and suit, put it over their head, and twisted the base of the helmet into the collar on the suit. Early attempts at making the helmet integral to the suit had met mixed results. It seems the ability to remove the helmet while still wearing the suit in an atmosphere was more important to the end users than the slight reduction in reliability in the simple electro mechanical joint.
They touched their wrist pads and their suits went through the final checks, pressure and power were both confirmed at full levels. They were ready to go.
"I will reduce the airlock pressure now." Sunny said. She had run her own diagnostics on the suits, her link to the suits computers giving her authority over their operation. As the pressure fell, so did the feeling of compression. The suits provided the fifteen pounds per square inch the humans needed, but when worn in atmosphere the wearer felt that pressure, once a in a vacuum, the lack of atmospheric pressure reduced the compressive feeling of the suits. They became hardly noticeable.
They moved around in the airlock under vacuum. After a few minutes, Joe asked, "So Can we go outside?"
"Standby" Sunny replied. She checked the area around herself to make sure nothing would be a threat to the two neophyte astronauts, and checked her control linkage to the suits reaction motors. Worst case, she would simply assume control and stuff them back into the airlock bodily. "All set" she said after a few seconds, "Please face each other and hold hands."
This position would provide the most support to Joe and Lan as they exited the ship. The first experience in exposed space could be, dramatic. The exterior door opened at about half it's normal speed. As it slid away, it exposed a black rectangular void. Sunny dimmed the airlock internal lights, and the stars appeared. Countless stars became visible. They pushed gently outwards towards the opening and slowly floated out of the ship. Before them stretched the universe, with nothing between it and them but a few millimeters of fabric and transparent polymer. They were roughly oriented with the long axis of the ship. Below them hung the Red Planet, Mars, in all it's dusty sand blown glory. They could see details, sand storms, valleys and mountains. To their left, or the ships bow, the shipyards massive structure, cranes, arms, ships, and the huge central rotating cylinder floated, sparkling in reflected light, and the working lights of the active complex.
So taken in by the view, they would have floated beyond safe limits, so Sunny gave their suit thrusters a short command, and they stopped about two meters away from the airlock door. Being born and raised in space, they had experience in zero g movements, They released one pair of hands, and rotated themselves so they could face outwards away from the ship.
"Wow" Joe said.
"Yeah," Lan Replied, "this is... amazing."
They spoke in hushed voices, as people who enter a church do, they felt the awe of the experience. Sunny gave them some time to just float there, holding hands, and enjoy the expanse of the universe that had opened in front of them. She had to admit that even her artificial consciousness appreciated the grandeur of space, although with a degree of precision and accuracy no human mind was capable of. While a human mind would look at a star system and see beauty in the gas giants, or nebula, Sunny found beauty in the mathematical perfection of a cluster of moons orbiting a planet, the precision of the frequency of pulsars, down to a hundred decimal places. How the frequency of the cosmic background radiation, the very echo's of the act of the creation of the universe created harmonics with all the mass she could sense. She could feel joy at riding a gravity wave and boosting her drive efficiency, but not the excitement of traveling on the wave. She could tell you the wavelength of the color of a star, but not that the particular shade appealed to her. She found beauty in her own way, but it was not a human way.
Eventually, she said "OK, lets try some basic maneuvering shall we? Joe, you start, just get to the forward edge of the airlock, and place your feet on the exterior of the hull."
Joe slowly released Lans hand, and, pressing a few commands, enabled manual control of his thrusters. He could now control his motion by moving a few fingers on each hand, sensors in the gloves and the suits onboard computer would translate those motions into thruster commands. Joe could control speed and vertical with his left hand, and rotation in both axis with his right hand. He gingerly twitched the fingers of his right hand, until he was facing where he wanted to go, he over corrected, and had to rotate back. Once aligned he flexed his left pointer finger, and felt his suit push him in the small of his back, the push subsided. He had a small velocity towards the spot he wanted to land. He flexed his knees and 'landed' by absorbing as much of the momentum as he could, otherwise he'd rebound off the ship. A tiny pulse of the thrusters was all that was needed to stop the tendency to float away. He 'stood' there, his feet lightly touching the hull, knees bent. As long as he didn't move to aggressively, or push off with his feet, he could stay there. He triggered the thrusters and turned to look back at Lan.
"Very good Joe!" Sunny said. "Now, stay there until Lan joins you. Always stay together." This last admonishment was not needed, but bore repeating. As scuba divers of old knew, so did people in space, the buddy system was one of the best safety protocols available.
Lan triggered her thrusters, she nailed her rotation to face Joe, but came in a little to fast. She couldn't absorb all the momentum and rebounded slightly off the hull. It looked like the worlds slowest high jump. She grunted slightly, annoyed. Then triggered her thrusters again, and settled gently next to Joe.
"Well done Lan!" Sunny was glad they seemed to be taking to the controls and systems. "Lets try some more exercises now, and really see what you can do."
Sunny ran them through a series of exercises that involved them maneuvering in ways that would make a gravity bound acrobat jealous. Even in zero g, they had begun to sweat a bit, as they were not as relaxed as more experienced crewmen would be, they over worked themselves, where experience would let them use momentum and the thrusters together to minimize their effort they clenched muscle in futile attempts to shift their mass or momentum.
"Time for a short break" Sunny finally said. "While you rest lest review emergency procedures. On the right side of your pack, you can reach back and find a small tube protruding. Grasp that and pull it out."
They did so, finding that the tube would extend as far as they could easily reach.
"Now, just above where the tube comes out of the pack there is a small port. Plug the tube into each others port. This enables two users to share one support pack, in case one is damaged. While using the buddy system, you must hold hands, as if you pull away and disconnect the tube, you'll have to reconnect quickly, as the person with the failed pack will only have the air remaining in their suit, which is about 3 minutes worth."
They listened and nodded, more serious than their years implied they could be. Both had seen accidents in space, and knew the seriousness behind such instruction. The price of this knowledge had been paid in blood.
"If you have to maneuver using buddy air, the disabled pack should be held in front of and about waist high on the person with the operational pack. That will keep the center of gravity close enough to allow essential maneuvers. Be careful not to pick up too much speed, as you'll have twice the mass and the thrusters will need more time to change your velocity. Don't rush, under these circumstances return immediately to the nearest airlock."
"In the event of communications failure, you can still talk through sound conduction via your helmet to another helmet, of possibly a solid surface. Try this now. Touch your helmets together gently, and speak without triggering your coms systems."
They faced each other and brought their heads together slowly, in a slow motion pantomime of a gentle kiss. Their helmets touched, and they held each other to keep them together.
"umm, Hi" Joe said. Lan heard his voice, only slightly muffled, as if he was speaking to her through a door.
"Hi back" she said, "this is pretty amazing! Did you know we could do this?"
"I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned we had space suits aboard while we were in the shop. I didn't think either the Captain or Sunny would actually let us. It is so cool!"
Lan nodded in agreement, she was just as surprised at this turn of events, but delighted. Even living in space, few people actually venture Outside.
As they held their helmets in contact, Joe noticed their faces were very close together, he saw she had tiny freckles across her nose, and flecks of gold in her brown eyes. He looked into those eyes, until the silence grew a little too long, and was finally ended by Sunny resuming radio coms with them. Later on, Joe's thoughts would linger on how looking into two golden flecked brown eyes had made him feel so much, more even than the vastness of the entire universe stretched out before him had done.
Sunny had finished her instructions, she had assumed the spike in heart rates had been due to the momentary isolation. Their voice profiles didn't indicate stress however. Her vast psyche came to a conclusion, Biology, she though, bemused.
"You two take a few moments to look around, and then we'll end this exercise. I believe the captain has concluded his business, and we'll be loading out our cargo soon."
As they enjoyed the remaining few minutes of their first space walk, Lan looked back towards the drive end of the ship. It faced away from everything, into deep space, and the view was spectacular. She looked again, there seemed to be something shiny moving around near that end of the ship. Being over a kilometer away, she had to look hard, but yes, there was something. Maybe one of the crab like working suits the shipyard personnel used. She couldn't be sure. It might have just been light glinting off of something harmless.
"Sunny, " Lan said, "Is there something going on at near the engineering section? I thought I saw something moving over there, but I can't be sure".
Joe turned and looked as well. "I don't see anything," he said.
In fact Sunny had detected what appeared to be one of the shipyards worksuits, operating near the engineering section. It was suspicious, as the suit had disabled it's lights and transponder, which was illegal and highly dangerous, as if anything had happened the occupant would be lost in space, unless they could restart the transponder. It did however provide a high degree of stealth, which explains why it was able to get within a few meters of the ship before she noticed it. Had Sunny not had her two charges outside the ship, where she was monitoring the environment she might have missed it. Maybe, she liked to think not much got past her, and she was usually right. She enabled camera's and captured images of the work suit, confirming that's what it was. She noticed that the external registration markings had been altered, meaning it would be very difficult to find the operator now.
To Lan she said, "Yes, I see something there as well. I'll look into it. Meanwhile you two return to the airlock and get changed, we're boarding cargo and technical crew in about an hour. Best you're ready."
Joe and Lan entered the airlock and the door slid shut, once again shutting out the vast universe from the interior.
Sunny, the greatest multi-tasker ever, monitored and assisted Joe and Lan exiting their suits and the airlock, at the same time, turning her available sensors to a small spot on the exterior of her hull, adjacent to one of the ventral thrust nozzles. Her quantum circuits flickered though entangled states as she considered the multiple meanings of someone in a stealth posture attaching something to the outside of her hull without her knowledge. Even her artificial sense of self felt indignation at that violation, however she realized there was more here than meets the eye, much more. She sent a very discrete encrypted signal to Captain Oliver, one that only he would hear and understand.
They would have some interesting things to discuss soon.
submitted by gloomy__pangolin to HFY [link] [comments]
In truth, Sunny was clever enough to select a base subject that required them to learn many others, such as mathematics, sciences, and engineering - while wrapped in the fascinating practical necessities of starships. So instead of boredom while learning differential calculus, physics or chemistry, they had an immediate use for their new found knowledge applicable to a very exciting field. Sunny had taken the time to download the two scholastic transcripts before they left their home station. Lan was stronger in mathematics, having completed her first course in calculus and scoring well on testing. Joe was weaker in mathematics, but had done very well in engineering and orbital mechanics for his year.
Sunny's extensive resources made her a good teacher, but it also helped that, being an AI, she was an immortal being with infinite patience, with substantial information on how the human mind worked. Keeping her captain in top shape was her prime directive after all, and she was designed to solve problems. Educating two teenagers would take up less than one tenth of one percent of her neural processing power.
After their arrival at the shipyard, Captain Oliver left the ship alone, as children in the massive industrial station would be very out of place. He was still trying to maintain some appearance of normal operations. Left alone with with the ship, they studied what they could see of the shipyards operations in the view port, and on the screens on the bridge. A large inter system liner was attached to a huge umbilical arm that was both an access tunnel, carrying personnel, materials and equipment into and out of it, and an anchor point, securing the massive vessel to the shipyards structure. The tiny suited figures crawling over the hull resembled crabs crawling over a whale. There was a massive gaping hole in the hull, where it looked like the reactor and major engine components were being removed. Frequent bright sparks of plasma welding and cutting illuminated parts of the scene in sharp black and white relief. As they watched, a massive part of the hull was freed from the ship, being guided away from the construction site by a large powerful arm. The arm released the section and it drifted towards what looked like a floating junkyard. Several of the crabs lifted off from the hulk, and attached themselves to the part, guiding it into a positing and then returning to the work at hand. The shipyards solution to storage of massive objects in space was relatively simple, they just set things off out of they way, made sure their velocity exactly matched the shipyard, and let them float until needed. Only occasional maintenance by one of the work-bots was needed to keep things tidy.
Eventually though, even this unique vista couldn't keep their attention any more. Joe finally left the bridge, and wandered about.
In response to Sunny's question, he said,"I just can't wait anymore, I need something to do." He rejected Sunny's suggestion to resume their class on orbital mechanics. After a few moments his face lit up with an idea.
"Hey!" he said, "How about training in EVA suits and airlock operations? That could be useful!" Sunny considered this, and then acquiesced. Joe and Lan had both been trained since they could walk on how to don the emergency escape suits that were a ubiquitous part of life for families in space. But the EESs were designed to sustain life in a vacuum for up to 72 hours. They were just armored bags with a helmet, mittens, boots, life support and a simple reaction motor with limited burn time. They weren't the elegant working suits that allowed a near acrobatic freedom of motion needed to accomplish complex tasks in space.
Sunny directed Joe to one of the ships airlocks. The airlock itself was the usual chamber with a door that opened to space, a second door that opened to the ships interior, and enough room for several people or reasonably large items to pass through in either direction. Inside the interior door, was another chamber, this one with lockers and suits. The noticed that their names were on two of the lockers. They each opened their respective locker and found hanging inside EVA suits of the latest manufacture, These suits were light weight, using complex carbon nano tube fabric that provided the required fifteen pounds per square inch for their human wearers, while still being very flexible. There was a ring around each neck that fitted a helmet, which provided the user interface for communications, access to water, and of course, air. The helmet was a marvel of engineering, almost unbreakable, the wearer could set any part of it from opaque to transparent as needed using the wrist pad. By turning their head slightly a small tube provided access to water, and audio was picked up and played through tiny transducers. It was very light, and resembled a slightly oval soap bubble. A transponder built into the suit allowed Sunny to track it until the power supplies ran down. The small back-pack carried power, atmosphere regeneration, and water supply. It fit neatly between the shoulder blades and extended downwards to about mid back. It was smooth and permanently part of the suit.
"Please direct your attention to the screen," Sunny said, and one of the wall panels lit up, a suiting up vid played, with Sunny providing commentary and advice on donning and using the suit, it's capabilities, and procedures for exiting and entering the ship. There was some momentary awkwardness when the part about waste handling came up, as the fitment for those functions was specific to the sex of the wearer, and the instructions were detailed and left nothing to the imagination, When venturing out into the most hostile environment known to mankind, information on how to survive trumped modesty or awkward teenager reactions.
When the lesson completed, Sunny directed them to don their suits. They quickly pulled off their ships jumpers, and climbed in to their suits. The compression method of retaining pressure on the wearer meant that any garment that could bunch up or form a wrinkle would become a painful hot spot in a short time, that would become unbearable, and eventually could also cause damage to the wearer so typically their light undergarments were all that was worn while using the suits.
At first the suits appeared almost comically too large, but this was a design feature to enable them to be put on with a minimum of effort. They turned and looked at each other, and with a nod, they pressed the activation panel on their wrist pad. Each suit immediately contracted around their bodies, resembling a second skin. there was a moments discomfort as the suits over contracted, the internal computer testing the fit and suit integrity, then the suits relaxed to their normal skin-tight compression.
At Sunny's direction they moved about the room, getting the feel of wearing the suits. In truth it was like wearing very tight fitting workout clothes. They felt pressure everywhere, but had no trouble moving about.
"Very Good" Sunny observed. "Let's put on the helmets now, and run some final checks." They each collected their helmet from where they floated, and attached a small tether between the helmet and suit, put it over their head, and twisted the base of the helmet into the collar on the suit. Early attempts at making the helmet integral to the suit had met mixed results. It seems the ability to remove the helmet while still wearing the suit in an atmosphere was more important to the end users than the slight reduction in reliability in the simple electro mechanical joint.
They touched their wrist pads and their suits went through the final checks, pressure and power were both confirmed at full levels. They were ready to go.
"I will reduce the airlock pressure now." Sunny said. She had run her own diagnostics on the suits, her link to the suits computers giving her authority over their operation. As the pressure fell, so did the feeling of compression. The suits provided the fifteen pounds per square inch the humans needed, but when worn in atmosphere the wearer felt that pressure, once a in a vacuum, the lack of atmospheric pressure reduced the compressive feeling of the suits. They became hardly noticeable.
They moved around in the airlock under vacuum. After a few minutes, Joe asked, "So Can we go outside?"
"Standby" Sunny replied. She checked the area around herself to make sure nothing would be a threat to the two neophyte astronauts, and checked her control linkage to the suits reaction motors. Worst case, she would simply assume control and stuff them back into the airlock bodily. "All set" she said after a few seconds, "Please face each other and hold hands."
This position would provide the most support to Joe and Lan as they exited the ship. The first experience in exposed space could be, dramatic. The exterior door opened at about half it's normal speed. As it slid away, it exposed a black rectangular void. Sunny dimmed the airlock internal lights, and the stars appeared. Countless stars became visible. They pushed gently outwards towards the opening and slowly floated out of the ship. Before them stretched the universe, with nothing between it and them but a few millimeters of fabric and transparent polymer. They were roughly oriented with the long axis of the ship. Below them hung the Red Planet, Mars, in all it's dusty sand blown glory. They could see details, sand storms, valleys and mountains. To their left, or the ships bow, the shipyards massive structure, cranes, arms, ships, and the huge central rotating cylinder floated, sparkling in reflected light, and the working lights of the active complex.
So taken in by the view, they would have floated beyond safe limits, so Sunny gave their suit thrusters a short command, and they stopped about two meters away from the airlock door. Being born and raised in space, they had experience in zero g movements, They released one pair of hands, and rotated themselves so they could face outwards away from the ship.
"Wow" Joe said.
"Yeah," Lan Replied, "this is... amazing."
They spoke in hushed voices, as people who enter a church do, they felt the awe of the experience. Sunny gave them some time to just float there, holding hands, and enjoy the expanse of the universe that had opened in front of them. She had to admit that even her artificial consciousness appreciated the grandeur of space, although with a degree of precision and accuracy no human mind was capable of. While a human mind would look at a star system and see beauty in the gas giants, or nebula, Sunny found beauty in the mathematical perfection of a cluster of moons orbiting a planet, the precision of the frequency of pulsars, down to a hundred decimal places. How the frequency of the cosmic background radiation, the very echo's of the act of the creation of the universe created harmonics with all the mass she could sense. She could feel joy at riding a gravity wave and boosting her drive efficiency, but not the excitement of traveling on the wave. She could tell you the wavelength of the color of a star, but not that the particular shade appealed to her. She found beauty in her own way, but it was not a human way.
Eventually, she said "OK, lets try some basic maneuvering shall we? Joe, you start, just get to the forward edge of the airlock, and place your feet on the exterior of the hull."
Joe slowly released Lans hand, and, pressing a few commands, enabled manual control of his thrusters. He could now control his motion by moving a few fingers on each hand, sensors in the gloves and the suits onboard computer would translate those motions into thruster commands. Joe could control speed and vertical with his left hand, and rotation in both axis with his right hand. He gingerly twitched the fingers of his right hand, until he was facing where he wanted to go, he over corrected, and had to rotate back. Once aligned he flexed his left pointer finger, and felt his suit push him in the small of his back, the push subsided. He had a small velocity towards the spot he wanted to land. He flexed his knees and 'landed' by absorbing as much of the momentum as he could, otherwise he'd rebound off the ship. A tiny pulse of the thrusters was all that was needed to stop the tendency to float away. He 'stood' there, his feet lightly touching the hull, knees bent. As long as he didn't move to aggressively, or push off with his feet, he could stay there. He triggered the thrusters and turned to look back at Lan.
"Very good Joe!" Sunny said. "Now, stay there until Lan joins you. Always stay together." This last admonishment was not needed, but bore repeating. As scuba divers of old knew, so did people in space, the buddy system was one of the best safety protocols available.
Lan triggered her thrusters, she nailed her rotation to face Joe, but came in a little to fast. She couldn't absorb all the momentum and rebounded slightly off the hull. It looked like the worlds slowest high jump. She grunted slightly, annoyed. Then triggered her thrusters again, and settled gently next to Joe.
"Well done Lan!" Sunny was glad they seemed to be taking to the controls and systems. "Lets try some more exercises now, and really see what you can do."
Sunny ran them through a series of exercises that involved them maneuvering in ways that would make a gravity bound acrobat jealous. Even in zero g, they had begun to sweat a bit, as they were not as relaxed as more experienced crewmen would be, they over worked themselves, where experience would let them use momentum and the thrusters together to minimize their effort they clenched muscle in futile attempts to shift their mass or momentum.
"Time for a short break" Sunny finally said. "While you rest lest review emergency procedures. On the right side of your pack, you can reach back and find a small tube protruding. Grasp that and pull it out."
They did so, finding that the tube would extend as far as they could easily reach.
"Now, just above where the tube comes out of the pack there is a small port. Plug the tube into each others port. This enables two users to share one support pack, in case one is damaged. While using the buddy system, you must hold hands, as if you pull away and disconnect the tube, you'll have to reconnect quickly, as the person with the failed pack will only have the air remaining in their suit, which is about 3 minutes worth."
They listened and nodded, more serious than their years implied they could be. Both had seen accidents in space, and knew the seriousness behind such instruction. The price of this knowledge had been paid in blood.
"If you have to maneuver using buddy air, the disabled pack should be held in front of and about waist high on the person with the operational pack. That will keep the center of gravity close enough to allow essential maneuvers. Be careful not to pick up too much speed, as you'll have twice the mass and the thrusters will need more time to change your velocity. Don't rush, under these circumstances return immediately to the nearest airlock."
"In the event of communications failure, you can still talk through sound conduction via your helmet to another helmet, of possibly a solid surface. Try this now. Touch your helmets together gently, and speak without triggering your coms systems."
They faced each other and brought their heads together slowly, in a slow motion pantomime of a gentle kiss. Their helmets touched, and they held each other to keep them together.
"umm, Hi" Joe said. Lan heard his voice, only slightly muffled, as if he was speaking to her through a door.
"Hi back" she said, "this is pretty amazing! Did you know we could do this?"
"I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned we had space suits aboard while we were in the shop. I didn't think either the Captain or Sunny would actually let us. It is so cool!"
Lan nodded in agreement, she was just as surprised at this turn of events, but delighted. Even living in space, few people actually venture Outside.
As they held their helmets in contact, Joe noticed their faces were very close together, he saw she had tiny freckles across her nose, and flecks of gold in her brown eyes. He looked into those eyes, until the silence grew a little too long, and was finally ended by Sunny resuming radio coms with them. Later on, Joe's thoughts would linger on how looking into two golden flecked brown eyes had made him feel so much, more even than the vastness of the entire universe stretched out before him had done.
Sunny had finished her instructions, she had assumed the spike in heart rates had been due to the momentary isolation. Their voice profiles didn't indicate stress however. Her vast psyche came to a conclusion, Biology, she though, bemused.
"You two take a few moments to look around, and then we'll end this exercise. I believe the captain has concluded his business, and we'll be loading out our cargo soon."
As they enjoyed the remaining few minutes of their first space walk, Lan looked back towards the drive end of the ship. It faced away from everything, into deep space, and the view was spectacular. She looked again, there seemed to be something shiny moving around near that end of the ship. Being over a kilometer away, she had to look hard, but yes, there was something. Maybe one of the crab like working suits the shipyard personnel used. She couldn't be sure. It might have just been light glinting off of something harmless.
"Sunny, " Lan said, "Is there something going on at near the engineering section? I thought I saw something moving over there, but I can't be sure".
Joe turned and looked as well. "I don't see anything," he said.
In fact Sunny had detected what appeared to be one of the shipyards worksuits, operating near the engineering section. It was suspicious, as the suit had disabled it's lights and transponder, which was illegal and highly dangerous, as if anything had happened the occupant would be lost in space, unless they could restart the transponder. It did however provide a high degree of stealth, which explains why it was able to get within a few meters of the ship before she noticed it. Had Sunny not had her two charges outside the ship, where she was monitoring the environment she might have missed it. Maybe, she liked to think not much got past her, and she was usually right. She enabled camera's and captured images of the work suit, confirming that's what it was. She noticed that the external registration markings had been altered, meaning it would be very difficult to find the operator now.
To Lan she said, "Yes, I see something there as well. I'll look into it. Meanwhile you two return to the airlock and get changed, we're boarding cargo and technical crew in about an hour. Best you're ready."
Joe and Lan entered the airlock and the door slid shut, once again shutting out the vast universe from the interior.
Sunny, the greatest multi-tasker ever, monitored and assisted Joe and Lan exiting their suits and the airlock, at the same time, turning her available sensors to a small spot on the exterior of her hull, adjacent to one of the ventral thrust nozzles. Her quantum circuits flickered though entangled states as she considered the multiple meanings of someone in a stealth posture attaching something to the outside of her hull without her knowledge. Even her artificial sense of self felt indignation at that violation, however she realized there was more here than meets the eye, much more. She sent a very discrete encrypted signal to Captain Oliver, one that only he would hear and understand.
They would have some interesting things to discuss soon.
2024.05.28 18:49 Financial_Ninja_1115 Deano - Bass Bouncing (Bed) - Clozee Room Service Set
Deano - Bass Bouncing - Clozee Room Service
https://youtu.be/OanVDQncM9g?si=fGa48SZCoOdSmRnr
Helllllloooooo all you beautiful friends out there. This is the project I've been working on and now I'm confident enough in it to post it on this here book of faces!
A few years ago I started developing a dance I've now dubbed "Bass Bouncing,' this style of bed dancing derives from my desire to dance much better, go for much longer, and feel sexier shaking my bootay on the dance floor - Allllll while being born with Cerebral Palsy (CP)
I had hoped that it would translate to me standing up at festivals and shaking my booty...and miraculously it has. Every single music festival I've gone to since I've started this Bass Bouncing journey, I've been able to go longer and harder while dancing pretty much the entire time on the floor. We're talking four to eight hours of dancing every night - for three to four nights in a row.
More importantly, when I roll out of bed the next day at a music fest. My legs and feet aren't hurting me tremendously, as they would have IF I hadn't started developing the dance SPECIFICALLY to help me feel better about dancing with CP.
This set is near and dear to me as not only is it my all-time favorite set of any artist period, it also has the distinct honor of introducing me to Clozee's "Heya" which is the moment my legs and hips, somehow, as if by magic, started moving along the bed...every muscle seeming to move before my mind could even register what was happening...marveling at the idea that sometimes beautiful things happen when you just let go.
It's now the song that brings me the most joy and I listen to it every day on the way to work, for it NEVER fails to cheer me up and brighten up the most dreary of days.
Thank you sooooooo SOOOOO sooooOooo much #clozee for being such a positive glowing beam of radiant ethereal energy and for putting this set up for us all to see. Without you and this set I would have never possibly gotten to this exciting juncture in my life! We alllll love and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
And to all you beautiful pallies out there! I love you allllll soooo much! Thank you for loving and supporting me! You guys are the absolute best thank you!
Please go to my channel, subscribe and like my videos!
Stay tuned for more Bass Bouncing vids and music from Deano! 😘😍
Love alllll you wonderfully fantastic souls! Stay Beautiful! 🤗😘😍
submitted by Financial_Ninja_1115 to Dance [link] [comments]
https://youtu.be/OanVDQncM9g?si=fGa48SZCoOdSmRnr
Helllllloooooo all you beautiful friends out there. This is the project I've been working on and now I'm confident enough in it to post it on this here book of faces!
A few years ago I started developing a dance I've now dubbed "Bass Bouncing,' this style of bed dancing derives from my desire to dance much better, go for much longer, and feel sexier shaking my bootay on the dance floor - Allllll while being born with Cerebral Palsy (CP)
I had hoped that it would translate to me standing up at festivals and shaking my booty...and miraculously it has. Every single music festival I've gone to since I've started this Bass Bouncing journey, I've been able to go longer and harder while dancing pretty much the entire time on the floor. We're talking four to eight hours of dancing every night - for three to four nights in a row.
More importantly, when I roll out of bed the next day at a music fest. My legs and feet aren't hurting me tremendously, as they would have IF I hadn't started developing the dance SPECIFICALLY to help me feel better about dancing with CP.
This set is near and dear to me as not only is it my all-time favorite set of any artist period, it also has the distinct honor of introducing me to Clozee's "Heya" which is the moment my legs and hips, somehow, as if by magic, started moving along the bed...every muscle seeming to move before my mind could even register what was happening...marveling at the idea that sometimes beautiful things happen when you just let go.
It's now the song that brings me the most joy and I listen to it every day on the way to work, for it NEVER fails to cheer me up and brighten up the most dreary of days.
Thank you sooooooo SOOOOO sooooOooo much #clozee for being such a positive glowing beam of radiant ethereal energy and for putting this set up for us all to see. Without you and this set I would have never possibly gotten to this exciting juncture in my life! We alllll love and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
And to all you beautiful pallies out there! I love you allllll soooo much! Thank you for loving and supporting me! You guys are the absolute best thank you!
Please go to my channel, subscribe and like my videos!
Stay tuned for more Bass Bouncing vids and music from Deano! 😘😍
Love alllll you wonderfully fantastic souls! Stay Beautiful! 🤗😘😍
Deano #Thisiswhatyouworkfor #Deanothemusician #staybeautiful #new #newdance #newedmdance #dancing #beddance #beddancing #booty #bootyshaking #edmbeddancing #bassbouncing #newdancing #Edm #clozee #clozeeroomservice #clozeeroomserviceset #roomservice #cerebralpalsy #cp #edmcommunity
2024.05.28 18:39 thegreyquincy Quiet Carry Drift I just finished up w/ a Galaxy landscape
 | Vid here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7hOGuUpDbk/ submitted by thegreyquincy to knifeclub [link] [comments] I wanted to try to mix it up with some stencils, so made a custom mountain silhouette in the foreground with a dark night sky with views of the Milky Way and stardust. This one includes matte black base on the scales, blade, and hardware followed by Copper, Periwinkle, Sangria, Aztec Teal, and Bright White "space dust." It's all finished off with a light coat of Mystique FX clear coat for a beautiful dark purple tone when it's in the right light. Instagram has been censoring/restricting a lot of EDC content, so any likes, shares, saves, follows, etc. really helps out. Thanks for checking it out! |
2024.05.28 17:52 AppropriateSwitch787 If you had to keep one music video from each era and CHOP the rest, which ones would you pick to survive?
We all know B has some of the most iconic MVs of the century, but if you could only pick one to survive per era, which ones would you pick?? (Excluding Renaissance + CC 😭) For reference, I'm counting the eras as: 1. DC era (I didn't want to go album by album until solo career) 2. DIL 3. B'Day 4. IASF 5. 4 6. Self-Titled 7. Lemonade 8. Everything is Love 9. Black is King
For me:
submitted by AppropriateSwitch787 to beyonce [link] [comments]
For me:
- Bug a Boo (the costumes were so cute and I love how 90s it is)
- Crazy in Love (Listen, I know it's a basic choice but it's so iconic and for GOOD REASON!! the outfits, the choreo, the fact that I made my mom buy me a red cropped hoodie when I first saw this video, just omfg)
- Green Light (This vid is in my top 3 of her best videos, like ever, so of course I had to put it here. Everything about it feels like it was hand-crafted by God Himself to gag me. Her brunette era, the latex dresses, the all-female band, the fact that she looks SO GOODDDD!! how could you not live
- Diva (Don't tell me you didn't want a pair of those glasses when you first saw this video)
- Countdown (the Toni Braxton/early season Kris Jenner pixie cut is iconic and so is the rest of this video)
- Haunted (Listen. Listen to me. Haunted is not only her best song, ever, it is her best video. This video should've instantly given her EGOT status, and I don't care that that's not how it works, she's Beyoncé and we can override that. I love it when she goes experimental and I love that she carried that over into the video. The costumes, lighting, coloring, set design, Pedro Almodóvar-ness of it all. She needs to do something like this again!!!
- Hold Up (I feel like this video is really good encapsulation of the Lemonade era, and I love the way it was directed. The dress is incredible and iconic, and I love that it feels more "raw" after the really artistically-oriented approach of the self-titled era. 10/10)
- Apeshit (the fact that they booked out the fucking Louvre would be reason alone, but it's also such a great video. The juxtaposition of two of the most powerful and influential Black artists in the industry in a place that is kind of the physical representation of white western idealism is really striking, in addition to the beautiful cinematography and costume work.)
- Already (It's such a beautifully shot video and the outfits were phenomenal)
2024.05.28 17:47 JenPo Burn in Style with the Fire Lily
Hello! I've been spinning poi on and off for years now...I love seeing everyone's prop vids! I hope it's ok to post this here since it's not directly flow related, but I think this community will connect with it.
My friend just invented and patented a gorgeous fire stand called the Fire Lily. It's portable and pretty and gives a big beautiful flame, which we've found is perfect for lighting props during burns and performances.
I hope you guys will check it out! We're doing a Kickstarter campaign right now to get it into production. We're about halfway there, but it's all or nothing on the funding (and we're local DC artists with little money for ads, so we're depending on word of mouth in the communities who would benefit from this thing!)
I hope you'll check it out and consider it, maybe send to your other fire friends if interested! Thanks for considering, and happy flowing!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matthewmakethe-fire-lily
submitted by JenPo to flowarts [link] [comments]
My friend just invented and patented a gorgeous fire stand called the Fire Lily. It's portable and pretty and gives a big beautiful flame, which we've found is perfect for lighting props during burns and performances.
I hope you guys will check it out! We're doing a Kickstarter campaign right now to get it into production. We're about halfway there, but it's all or nothing on the funding (and we're local DC artists with little money for ads, so we're depending on word of mouth in the communities who would benefit from this thing!)
I hope you'll check it out and consider it, maybe send to your other fire friends if interested! Thanks for considering, and happy flowing!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matthewmakethe-fire-lily
2024.05.28 16:36 JenPo Burn in Style with The Fire Lily
Hello! I've been spinning on and off for years now...I love seeing everyone's vids! I hope it's ok to post this here since it's not directly poi related, but I think this community will connect with it.
My friend just invented and patented a gorgeous fire stand called the Fire Lily. It's portable and pretty and gives a big beautiful flame, which we've found is perfect for lighting props during burns and performances.
I hope you guys will check it out! We're doing a Kickstarter campaign right now to get it into production. We're about halfway there, but it's all or nothing on the funding (and we're local DC artists with little money for ads, so we're depending on word of mouth in the communities who would benefit from this thing!)
I hope you'll check it out and consider it, maybe send to your other fire friends if interested! Thanks for considering, and happy spinning!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matthewmakethe-fire-lily
submitted by JenPo to poi [link] [comments]
My friend just invented and patented a gorgeous fire stand called the Fire Lily. It's portable and pretty and gives a big beautiful flame, which we've found is perfect for lighting props during burns and performances.
I hope you guys will check it out! We're doing a Kickstarter campaign right now to get it into production. We're about halfway there, but it's all or nothing on the funding (and we're local DC artists with little money for ads, so we're depending on word of mouth in the communities who would benefit from this thing!)
I hope you'll check it out and consider it, maybe send to your other fire friends if interested! Thanks for considering, and happy spinning!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matthewmakethe-fire-lily
2024.05.28 03:35 Joey3Golf Collection Overfloweth
Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone! I need to thin my collection because my Pelican case has run out of space, and I’m not buying another one.
For your consideration, please see my offering of knives below. YOLO takes priority. Prices include shipping within CONUS. PPFF, NO notes, please. Will ship next business day via USPS.
Not interested in Trades right now unless it is an Oz Rosie Silver Surfer Putter Milled or a dragon scale Grimsmo Norseman.
Timestamp: https://imgur.com/gallery/QS4lZTC
Brand: Benchmade Model: Osborne BHQ Exclusive Steel: M4/DLC Handle Color: Jade Handle Material: G-10 SV: $180; BNIB, Original owner. Action is solid. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/iOgsfOC
SOLD Brand: CRKT SOLD Model: Pilar Large Steel: 8Cr13MoV Handle Color: Beskar Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $50; SOLD LNIB, Original Owner. Modded with Beskar scales. Just trying to recover half what I spent. Action is great. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/PZWLLoQ SOLD
SOLD Brand: Demko SOLD Model: AD20.5 Steel: AUS10 Handle Color: OD Green Handle Material: Grivory SOLD SV: $80; SOLD Carried some with some snails on the DLC and the grivory handle that I have tried to point out in the pics/video, cut open packages a couple of times, original owner. Wanted to try out the shark lock, just not a fan. Action is as it is supposed to be. Link: SOLD
Brand: GiantMouse Model: ACE Tribeca REC Exclusive Steel: Magnacut Stonewash Handle Color: “Rich” Bronze Handle Material: Titanium SV: $350; #60/205 (Pictured), BNIB, Original Owner. Great action. I will keep this one this one if it does not sell. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/9L7wKpr
SOLD Brand: Heretic SOLD Model: ROC Steel: Magnacut Stonewash Handle Color: Black Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $325; SOLD LNIB, Original Owner. Never misfired. It was BNIB because it has never been carried/cut, but taking these pictures I saw snails. I have taken some up close pictures of them, hence LNIB. I like looking at this one and the engineering behind it. However, I’m never going to carry it, and I have no use for a knife that is specifically for self-defense. I can’t actually use it for anything. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/EVTfmCk SOLD
Brand: Hinderer Model: Eklipse Tri-Way Steel: 20CV Apocalyptic Handle Color: Orange/Battle Bronze Handle Material: G10 SV: $350; 3rd Owner. The original owner said he carried it once and dropped it, but never cut with it. I have included a picture that shows the spot of damage of the G10 (minimal). I have only taken this knife out and flipped it some. Never carried or cut because I immediately knew this knife was too small for my hands. I don’t see any blemishes on the blade; it appears to be a working finish. No box or papers. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/VPGvTwp
Brand: Hogue Model: SIG X5 Steel: CPM-154 Handle Color: Grey/Black G10 Insert Handle Material: Aluminum/G10 SV: $225; BNIB, Original Owner. Great price for a sizeable CPM-154 blade. Button Lock with secondary lock available. Solid knife. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/IVGEmrQ
Brand: Kershaw Model: Livewire Blade Show 2023 Steel: 20CV Handle Color: Bronze Handle Material: Aluminum SV: $350; BNIB, Original Owner. Blade Show 2023 Exclusive, #41/150. The color is a metallic bronze color that should be evident in the pics/video. I will keep this if it does not sell. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/XPRaP7b
SOLD Brand: Kershaw SOLD Model: Iridium Steel: D2 Handle Color: Slate Gray Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $50; SOLD Carried maybe a handful of times. Cut some amazon box time a handful of times. I always clean my blades after any use, so the blade is in ‘like-factory’ condition. There are some snails on the clip which are shown in a pic/vid. Really a great budget knife. It is also a great fidget knife with great action. Only selling because I’m going to get the titanium version with better blade steel. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/3AEXzEE SOLD
Brand: Mantis/Hawk Model: Gearhead Steel: Damascus Handle Color: Handle Material: CF SV: $175; BNIB, Original Owner. This one looks really cool, but my display case is full, and this is the cheapest one to get rid of. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/UNIIhVu
SOLD Brand: Rockstead SOLD Model: Hizen DLC Steel: YXR7 DLC Handle Color: Black Handle Material: Duralumin SOLD SV: $600; SOLD 3rd Owner. I love this knife, but it is too small for my hands. Absolutely beautiful mirror polished blade in pristine condition (I cannot find a flaw on it). There is a little spot on the clip slide thumbstud for which I have provided a pic (the long brownish looking line is a reflection). There are also a couple of spots on the very top of the show side scale (pic provided) that is not really noticeable unless you shine the right light on it and get close. The pic shows it under directly light and these spots appear white, but they are actually black as you can see in the rest of the pics/vid. Lastly, it does not have a box or papers. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/4RtTANf SOLD
Brand: SBD Model: Mini Evo Steel: M390 Handle Color: Titanium/CF Handle Material: Titanium/CF SV: $300; Second Owner. Original owner carried a couple of times, and I have included pics of the snails (1 on the very bottom of the show side, and on the pocket clip). Selling because I prefer the harpoon blade version that I got. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/XE2DoUG
Brand: Spyderco Model: Delica BHQ Exclusive Steel: M4/DLC Handle Color: Mint Handle Material: FRN SV: $100; Original Owner. I have carried this knife less than 10 times. I have cut some tape on Amazon boxes a few times. While using KPL cleaner to clean the blade, it appears to have developed snails or a patina on the DLC coating (pictured). Selling because it turns out that I hate backlocks. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/uzAs23O
Brand: ZT Model: ZT Original Steel: 20CV Handle Color: CF Handle Material: CF SV: $250; BNIB, Original Owner. I like the look of the knife but need room in the display case. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/GCWUJvk
submitted by Joey3Golf to Knife_Swap [link] [comments]
For your consideration, please see my offering of knives below. YOLO takes priority. Prices include shipping within CONUS. PPFF, NO notes, please. Will ship next business day via USPS.
Not interested in Trades right now unless it is an Oz Rosie Silver Surfer Putter Milled or a dragon scale Grimsmo Norseman.
Timestamp: https://imgur.com/gallery/QS4lZTC
Brand: Benchmade Model: Osborne BHQ Exclusive Steel: M4/DLC Handle Color: Jade Handle Material: G-10 SV: $180; BNIB, Original owner. Action is solid. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/iOgsfOC
SOLD Brand: CRKT SOLD Model: Pilar Large Steel: 8Cr13MoV Handle Color: Beskar Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $50; SOLD LNIB, Original Owner. Modded with Beskar scales. Just trying to recover half what I spent. Action is great. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/PZWLLoQ SOLD
SOLD Brand: Demko SOLD Model: AD20.5 Steel: AUS10 Handle Color: OD Green Handle Material: Grivory SOLD SV: $80; SOLD Carried some with some snails on the DLC and the grivory handle that I have tried to point out in the pics/video, cut open packages a couple of times, original owner. Wanted to try out the shark lock, just not a fan. Action is as it is supposed to be. Link: SOLD
Brand: GiantMouse Model: ACE Tribeca REC Exclusive Steel: Magnacut Stonewash Handle Color: “Rich” Bronze Handle Material: Titanium SV: $350; #60/205 (Pictured), BNIB, Original Owner. Great action. I will keep this one this one if it does not sell. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/9L7wKpr
SOLD Brand: Heretic SOLD Model: ROC Steel: Magnacut Stonewash Handle Color: Black Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $325; SOLD LNIB, Original Owner. Never misfired. It was BNIB because it has never been carried/cut, but taking these pictures I saw snails. I have taken some up close pictures of them, hence LNIB. I like looking at this one and the engineering behind it. However, I’m never going to carry it, and I have no use for a knife that is specifically for self-defense. I can’t actually use it for anything. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/EVTfmCk SOLD
Brand: Hinderer Model: Eklipse Tri-Way Steel: 20CV Apocalyptic Handle Color: Orange/Battle Bronze Handle Material: G10 SV: $350; 3rd Owner. The original owner said he carried it once and dropped it, but never cut with it. I have included a picture that shows the spot of damage of the G10 (minimal). I have only taken this knife out and flipped it some. Never carried or cut because I immediately knew this knife was too small for my hands. I don’t see any blemishes on the blade; it appears to be a working finish. No box or papers. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/VPGvTwp
Brand: Hogue Model: SIG X5 Steel: CPM-154 Handle Color: Grey/Black G10 Insert Handle Material: Aluminum/G10 SV: $225; BNIB, Original Owner. Great price for a sizeable CPM-154 blade. Button Lock with secondary lock available. Solid knife. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/IVGEmrQ
Brand: Kershaw Model: Livewire Blade Show 2023 Steel: 20CV Handle Color: Bronze Handle Material: Aluminum SV: $350; BNIB, Original Owner. Blade Show 2023 Exclusive, #41/150. The color is a metallic bronze color that should be evident in the pics/video. I will keep this if it does not sell. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/XPRaP7b
SOLD Brand: Kershaw SOLD Model: Iridium Steel: D2 Handle Color: Slate Gray Handle Material: Aluminum SOLD SV: $50; SOLD Carried maybe a handful of times. Cut some amazon box time a handful of times. I always clean my blades after any use, so the blade is in ‘like-factory’ condition. There are some snails on the clip which are shown in a pic/vid. Really a great budget knife. It is also a great fidget knife with great action. Only selling because I’m going to get the titanium version with better blade steel. SOLD Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/3AEXzEE SOLD
Brand: Mantis/Hawk Model: Gearhead Steel: Damascus Handle Color: Handle Material: CF SV: $175; BNIB, Original Owner. This one looks really cool, but my display case is full, and this is the cheapest one to get rid of. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/UNIIhVu
SOLD Brand: Rockstead SOLD Model: Hizen DLC Steel: YXR7 DLC Handle Color: Black Handle Material: Duralumin SOLD SV: $600; SOLD 3rd Owner. I love this knife, but it is too small for my hands. Absolutely beautiful mirror polished blade in pristine condition (I cannot find a flaw on it). There is a little spot on the clip slide thumbstud for which I have provided a pic (the long brownish looking line is a reflection). There are also a couple of spots on the very top of the show side scale (pic provided) that is not really noticeable unless you shine the right light on it and get close. The pic shows it under directly light and these spots appear white, but they are actually black as you can see in the rest of the pics/vid. Lastly, it does not have a box or papers. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/4RtTANf SOLD
Brand: SBD Model: Mini Evo Steel: M390 Handle Color: Titanium/CF Handle Material: Titanium/CF SV: $300; Second Owner. Original owner carried a couple of times, and I have included pics of the snails (1 on the very bottom of the show side, and on the pocket clip). Selling because I prefer the harpoon blade version that I got. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/XE2DoUG
Brand: Spyderco Model: Delica BHQ Exclusive Steel: M4/DLC Handle Color: Mint Handle Material: FRN SV: $100; Original Owner. I have carried this knife less than 10 times. I have cut some tape on Amazon boxes a few times. While using KPL cleaner to clean the blade, it appears to have developed snails or a patina on the DLC coating (pictured). Selling because it turns out that I hate backlocks. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/uzAs23O
Brand: ZT Model: ZT Original Steel: 20CV Handle Color: CF Handle Material: CF SV: $250; BNIB, Original Owner. I like the look of the knife but need room in the display case. Link: https://imgur.com/gallery/GCWUJvk
2024.05.28 01:20 apehasreturned Booking the AEW World Title In 2024 - Part One: There Will Be Blood
 | While the AEW World Title has been through some tumultuous, CM Punk-adjacent times, the company is striving to “restore the feeling” with one of the strongest rosters ever assembled in a wrestling promotion, while also maximizing the talents of once-underused stars like Swerve Strickland and Samoa Joe. In fact, that’s where we’re starting off - with the recently maniacal and now beloved Swerve taking on the unstoppable Samoa Joe for the AEW World Title in St. Louis. submitted by apehasreturned to FantasyBookingElite [link] [comments] Dynasty However, we’ve got one thing to get out of the way first - and that’s earlier in the show. In the weeks leading up to Dynasty, Hangman Page said he’d do anything to stop Swerve Strickland leaving St. Louis with the title, leaving the main event in jeopardy of breaking down completely. While he seems to be considering asking for a No Disqualification match and trying his luck, Swerve thinks better of it, instead vowing to just… beat Page to the punch and jump his ass before the match. However, he’s stopped by Tony Khan, who says that he can’t let Swerve go and get into backstage brawls in good conscience. After seeing Jack Perry return to help the Young Bucks win the AEW Tag Titles, he says that he’ll simply prevent interference from taking place by suspending anyone who tries something during the main event. Joe and Swerve are both fine with the terms, and we’re off to the races for a good, clean fight between two of AEW’s most violent and tactical competitors. AEW World Title, Everyone Banned From Ringside: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Swerve Strickland Prince Nana accompanies Swerve out for an entrance fit for a champion, but he heads to the back afterwards, no seconds allowed as Samoa Joe storms to the ring with a confident smirk on his face. Introductions are made, the bell is rung, and HERE WE GO! Joe immediately tries to goad Swerve into a lockup, daring the challenger to shoot his shot against a man twice his size, but Strickland plays it smart, hacking away at Joe’s legs from a distance with stiff kicks. Pretty quickly, Joe gets frustrated, finally catching a leg and clobbering Swerve with a forearm, backing him up into the corner for a series of jabs and chops before GOING STRAIGHT FOR A MUSCLE BUSTER! Swerve frantically fights free, Joe catching him with a short-arm lariat to hang him up on the top rope before starting to clamber up himself. However, Strickland’s got plans of his own, dropping to the apron and BULLDOGGING JOE’S FACE STRAIGHT INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! Joe drops down to the mat, Swerve leaping to the top rope for a SWERVE STOMP, JOE FALLING BACK AT THE LAST MOMENT TO SLIP BEHIND THE CHALLENGER AND LOCK IN A COQUINA CLUTCH! Immediately grabbing the top rope, Swerve’s eyes are bulging out of his head until four, Joe forced to release the hold as Swerve collapses into the turnbuckles and EATS A GAMENGIRI TO SEND HIM TO THE FLOOR! Joe bides his time, mocking the crowd’s deafening cries of “WHOSE HOUSE? SWERVE’S HOUSE!” before heading to the apron for a PK TO SWERVE’S CHEST, ONLY FOR SWERVE TO COUNTER INTO A DRAGON SCREW AND SEND JOE CRASHING TO THE FLOOR! It’s clear in the early goings that this is going to be a chess match, but that won’t stop these two from going ham - whenever they spot an opening, they’ll do whatever it takes. Swerve keeps the pressure on by attempting a tornado DDT off the apron, but this time it’s Joe who gets to counter, wincing at the pain in his knee as he holds Swerve bolt upright for a VERTICAL SUPLEX ONTO THE FLOOR! Strickland sits up in agony, struggling to breathe from the pain as Taz points out it might have impacted a kidney, but Joe shows no mercy, following it with a GERMAN SUPLEX, NOW A TIGER SUPLEX, AND FINALLY A DRAGON SUPLEX TO LAY THE CHALLENGER OUT COMPLETELY! He rolls Swerve back in, lackadaisically covering for two before driving a few knees into the ribs of his grounded opponent. Joe continues to deal damage in the ring, focusing on the midsection with brutal stomps and round kicks, mixing in throws and slams to continuously wear down his foe. Eventually, he feels like he’s done enough to go for the Coquina Clutch again, struggling to flatten Swerve out, but the challenger is tenacious, protecting his neck and batting away Joe’s arms before trying to slide out from under the Samoan Submission Machine, Joe trying to trap him with his legs… BUT SWERVE TWEAKS JOE’S KNEE TO ESCAPE, AND NOW HE’S GOT HIS OPENING! AXE KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, AND NOW A JUMPING DDT! HE’S GOT JOE SET, THE CHAMPION COMING TO HIS KNEES… HOUSE CALL! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! JOE KICKS OUT! Swerve gets right back on the attack, pummeling the leg before flattening Joe with a DDT as he tries to get to his knees. The champion’s in trouble, landing an elbow to Swerve’s body before staggering into the corner, but Swerve rushes him with a pump kick in the corner, followed by a series of brutal stomps to the head. He clambers up to the top rope, calling for a Swerve Stomp, but Joe makes him pay for going for broke early, slapping him across the ear to ring his bell before HITTING AN ENZIGURI! Strickland flops across the top turnbuckle, Joe lighting him up with punishing strikes before hoisting him out of the corner for a MUSCLE BUSTER, BUT THE LEG GIVES OUT! Swerve drops down… POISON RANA CONNECTS! ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT BY JOE! The challenger rushes to the corner, measuring his target for another HOUSE CALL, BUT JOE TURNS HIM INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT! He drives Swerve into the corner, roaring in his face before unleashing a series of punishing headbutts, hoisting Strickland to the top rope and pounding some feeling back into his leg before once again going for a MUSCLE BUSTER… AND HE GETS IT! ONE! TWO! THRE-SWERVE JUST MANAGES TO GET THE SHOULDER UP! With Swerve having managed to get a shoulder up after a Muscle Buster, a furious Joe is on a warpath, hurling the challenger out to the floor and clobbering him with Muay Thai knees to the ribs and a vicious elbow strike on the jaw. Joe chops Swerve across the chest before uprooting the ring steps, setting them up near the barricade. He sits Strickland on them, winding up to run the length of ringside for a HUGE BOOT, BUT SWERVE KICKS OUT THE KNEE WITH A LOW DROPKICK, JOE SENT CAREENING HEAD-FIRST INTO THE STEEL! Swerve is gasping for air, struggling to recuperate and take advantage, but suddenly, he gets a gleam in his eye as he sees Joe raise his head, bloodied. He winds up… ANOTHER HOUSE CALL TO SEND JOE INTO A SEATED POSITION ON THE BOTTOM STEP! Scrambling to the ring apron, Strickland looks like a man possessed, the crowd rallying behind him as he taps into that sadistic side for a SWERVE STOMP AGAINST THE STEEL STEPS, THE CHAMPION SENT TUMBLING OVER THE BACK OF THEM AT A SICKENING ANGLE! The challenger works with all his might to muscle Joe up and roll him back into the ring, exhausted, but he still manages to scale the ropes. Joe’s on dream street in the middle of the ring, instinctively trying to get back to his feet, but HE’S CUT OFF WITH A SECOND SWERVE STOMP, DRIVING HIM STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE CANVAS! ONE! TWO! THREE! Swerve Strickland def. Samoa Joe (15:48) to win the AEW World Title It was a sprint to cap off a long show, and as Joe looks up at the lights, it’s clear that Swerve’s grit and quick thinking is going to make him one hell of a champion. Prince Nana comes out to celebrate with him, the crowd electric as Swerve Strickland raises the AEW World Championship aloft to close out Dynasty. After the show, he’s congratulated by Tony Khan and much of the AEW locker room at the top of the ramp, including a begrudging handshake from Samoa Joe. Road to Double or Nothing With Swerve Strickland crowned champion, he’s kicking off Dynamite at Daily’s Place, getting to celebrate some more with Prince Nana and the AEW fans. He says he worked his ass off and did some crazy things to get his hands on this gold, and now the hard part begins - keeping it away from all those who want to see him dead and buried. On screen, Nick and Matt Jackson appear, the new AEW Tag Team Champions saying that they didn’t appreciate Swerve going over their heads to Tony Khan about his title match. As EVPs, they should be making the decisions, but they’ll sort that out with Tony, who “clearly has a bias towards Swerve, even congratulating him after the show.” Swerve brushes them off, certain he can face whatever odds the EVPs stack against him - after all, they’re still on something of a short leash in management. The Bucks warn him that he has a lot of enemies, and tell him that the Elite are a set of enemies he really doesn’t want to make. Strickland says he’s the champ; making enemies comes with the territory. The Bucks look disappointed, but shrug and turn off the feed before HANGMAN PAGE DECAPITATES SWERVE WITH A BUCKSHOT LARIAT! He brutalizes Swerve, even turning his attentions to Nana with a DEADEYE! Later in the night, Tony Khan is attacked by the Elite, dying a tragic death and never being seen again on screen. Included in the attack is a reinstated Jack Perry, who’s welcomed into the Elite with open arms before Hangman Page hits the scene. The Bucks look alarmed, having suspended Page months ago, but as Page starts stomping the shit out of Tony Khan, they embrace him, gaining two new members in their ranks. The next week sees Hangman explain his decision - he says that before Dynasty, he spoke to his wife. In October, Strickland broke into Page’s home, made his family feel unsafe, and Page promised to his wife that he’d make sure Swerve’s dreams never came true. That his behaviour wouldn’t be rewarded. However, Tony Khan stopped him from doing that at Dynasty; he made him lie to his wife, violate his word as Swerve violated his home… so he felt no remorse in doing what he did to Tony, a man who he gave everything to as a day one original of AEW. With the Bucks in charge, he’ll get to make good on his word, albeit a little late - at Double or Nothing, he’ll challenge Strickland for the gold. Swerve better enjoy the glory while he can, because in Vegas, it’ll literally be Double or Nothing; It’ll be a Three Stages of Hell Match, and Hangman will stop at nothing to bring Swerve to the Seventh Circle. Naturally, Strickland jumps Page to get his revenge for the week prior, a massive brawl sparking off and ending with the Elite standing tall. The remainder of the Road to Double or Nothing sees the stipulations slowly unveiled for the title bout - Page chooses a straightforward singles match, having come the closest to beating Swerve in the past under that ruleset, while Strickland goes for a Steel Cage Match to try and keep the Elite out of the equation (and to rule out the Buckshot Lariat by not leaving enough room on the apron). Finally, should it go to a third fall, the Young Bucks use their EVP powers to make it an ambulance match, saying that if he somehow manages to beat Page once, he’ll still end up carted out of the MGM Grand a failure, just as Killshot should’ve been years ago from the Lucha Underground arena. Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Hangman Page Double or Nothing Three Stages of Hell Match for the AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Hangman Page It’s a big fight feel for the main event of Double or Nothing, Anarchy in the Arena having gone the Elite’s way to put Hangman Page in the driver’s seat for this one. Page is out first to Ghost Riders in the Sky, tapping into the same energy that granted him victory against Jon Moxley a year prior. However, Swerve matches it by simply having the roof come off the MGM Grand Garden Arena the second he steps foot on the stage, the pinnacle of self-assuredness as he makes his way down to the ring. He’s been here before, he’s fought this kind of war, and now all he has to do is push Hangman just as far as he did in the past. Fall One: Singles Match There’s plenty of hate between these two, but they’re both aware of the fact that there’s at least one more grueling bout to go after this, so there’s a bit of a tentative start. Swerve offers a high hand for a lockup, Page slowly meeting him in the middle of the ring and immediately grabbing a fistful of Swerve’s hair to slam him backwards into the mat, mounting him with a flurry of punches. Strickland flips him over, firing back with shots of his own before rising to his feet, rushing for a running shooting star that Hangman avoids, rolling out of harm’s way to the floor. Strickland gives chase, Page fleeing back into the ring and rushing to the opposite apron as Swerve feigns entering, Hangman slingshotting himself with a BUCKSHOT LARIAT, BUT SWERVE FAKED HIM OUT, INTERCEPTING WITH A DROPKICK TO THE ARM! Page clutches the limb as Swerve lands a high knee to the jaw, following it with a swift DDT to bring Hangman to the mat for a PENTA-ESQUE ARM SNAPPER! It’s clear Swerve’s already set his target, gaining the advantage early by outsmarting the overly aggressive Page, and he keeps the pressure on by looking for a straight armbar, trying to prompt Hangman into giving up a fall quickly to ensure minimal damage is done. However, Page manages to lock his grip, stacking Swerve for two before winding up for a SOCCER KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, FORCING SWERVE TO RELEASE! He begins ruthlessly laying into Swerve with a flurry of stomps to the skull, brutally assaulting his opponent before the referee starts a disqualification count. Page relents at four, but the damage could well already be done, Strickland looking worse for wear as he struggles to his feet in the corner… AND EATS A RUNNING FACEWASH BOOT, THE CROWD ERUPTING INTO BOOS AS PAGE STANDS TALL! Beginning to mug the champion with a devastating series of offensive maneuvers, Page is comfortably in the driver’s seat, intermittently giving Swerve a reprieve as he focuses on getting some feeling back into his arm. Soon enough, he looks to wrap things up with a Deadeye, giving Swerve an opening to reverse into a sunset flip, Page rolling straight through as Strickland kips up to NAIL A SUPERKICK TO A KNEELING PAGE! He seamlessly floats behind him, no wasted motion as he hoists Hangman up and over with a beautiful arcing BRIDGING GERMAN! ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT BY PAGE! Hangman rolls out to the apron to try and catch a breather, but Swerve’s a menace on the attack, flying at him with a forearm before kicking out the knee, nailing a Gamengiri to drop Page to the ground. Immediately, Swerve vaults over the ropes for an APRON PUMP KICK, BUT HANGMAN REVERSES WITH A DRAGON SCREW, JUST AS SWERVE DID TO JOE! Page grabs his arm in clear discomfort, but he can’t let this opportunity pass him by, lifting Swerve up for a DRIVING TACKLE INTO THE BARRICADE! He gets a hold on the back of Swerve’s head, smashing his face into the top of the barrier before going for a suplex gutbuster onto the guardrail, only for Strickland to reverse and drop into the front row. Hangman instinctively grabs at him, Swerve thumbing the eye and dragging him over for a DRAPING PILEDRIVER INTO THE FRONT ROW OF CHAIRS! The crowd clears out as Swerve muscles his opponent up, Page on dream street as he’s sent back between the ropes… ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT BY PAGE! It seems as though Hangman’s operating on pure spite to stay in this first fall, commentary questioning what it’ll take for Swerve to beat him not once, but twice if that wasn’t enough. Swerve sticks to the gameplan, stomping the arm before landing a few Kawada kicks to the face to work Page’s head over, hoping to fill his mind with cobwebs and keep him off his game as he lines up for a HOUSE CALL, ONLY FOR PAGE TO GRAB THE LEG! PAGE ROLLS STRAIGHT OVER AND BACK UP TO HIS FEET, TRAPPING SWERVE IN POSITION… DEADEYE! ONE! TWO! THR-SWERVE LIFTS THE SHOULDER! Hangman starts driving knees into the body and head of the grounded AEW Champion, taking the simple approach of pummeling him as much as possible ahead of a certain second fall before stepping out to the apron. Page calls for the Buckshot Lariat, wanting to make the most of its near-certain ability to end a match before the cage takes away his ability to connect with it, but Swerve takes his time getting to his feet. Page launches himself the second Swerve’s off his knees, but STRICKLAND COUNTERS, USING PAGE’S MOMENTUM AGAINST HIM AND NAILING A FLATLINER! He scrambles to roll over, transitioning into a DEADLIFT VERTICAL SUPLEX, BUT PAGE DROPS BEHIND ON ADRENALINE ALONE TO NAIL A BACKDROP DRIVER! Swerve is folded up like an accordion as Page falls through the ropes to the apron, urging Strickland to get up… BUCKSHOT LARIAT CONNECTS, BEHEADING THE CHAMPION! Page clutches his arm in agony, worried the impact might’ve been numbed by his subconscious self-preserving hesitation, but he immediately scrambles to hook both legs… ONE! TWO! THREE! HE GOT HIM! Hangman Page def. Swerve Strickland (14:28) to win the first fall Fall Two: Steel Cage Match Page knows he should take advantage and capitalize immediately, but it’s clear his final furious surge of energy to pick up the first fall has now led to an adrenaline dump, leaving both men down and out on the canvas as the steel cage lowers around them. He’s still the first to his feet, Strickland barely stirring after the Buckshot as Page heaves him up and hurls him headlong into the chain link. Immediately using the structure to his advantage, Hangman grinds Swerve’s face against the steel, drawing blood quickly before swinging Strickland over his shoulder for a LAWN DART INTO THE CAGE, SWERVE TUMBLING DOWN THE GAP BETWEEN THE RING AND THE STEEL! Page admires his work, taking a bit of a breather to try and recover from the massive damage doled out to him in the first round, but he eventually drops down to join Swerve in the tight confines of their makeshift ringside equivalent. With no room to escape, Strickland is left prone to a series of brutal stomps, Page eventually reaching under the ring to pull out all manner of weapons: a chain, a cinderblock, a pane of glass, two chairs, and a special chair wrapped in barbed wire. Sliding the rest of them into the ring, he holds onto the cinderblock, placing it on the apron before lifting Swerve out of the abyss, looking to give him a taste of his own medicine from Full Gear. The crowd watches on in horror as a deranged Hangman gets Strickland up into a fireman’s carry… but SWERVE PUSHES OFF THE CAGE TO LAND BACK IN THE RING, NAILING A DROPSAULT TO SEND HANGMAN INTO THE STEEL! The champion is showing signs of life now, and with Page trying to balance himself on the apron, he’s got the perfect opportunity for revenge, picking up the barbed wire chair and SMASHING IT INTO THE UPPER BACK OF HIS FOE! Pinpricks of blood give way to a great cascade of crimson down the spine of the Hangman, Swerve maniacally swinging for the fences with each shot on a trapped opponent. Finally, he winds up for one more horrific blow, Page’s face up against the chain link as Swerve charges with the chair… PAGE DUCKS AT THE LAST MOMENT, AVOIDING HIS HEAD BEING SANDWICHED BY MERE INCHES! The chair drops to the floor as Page fires back with a forearm, battling through the pain, but Strickland is merciless, connecting with a headbutt to rock the challenger before rushing him once more, only for HANGMAN TO SEAMLESSLY COUNTER INTO A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ON THE CINDERBLOCK! Page scrambles to get Swerve back in the ring, but the champion has the wherewithal to drop back down between the cage and the ring, making extracting him virtually impossible for the beaten Hangman. Still, Page grits his teeth, and uses his one good arm to haul Swerve’s body up onto the apron and between the ropes, hooking the leg… ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Page can’t believe it, a fraction of a second away from a second AEW Title reign, and he’s clearly cracking from the emotional weight of it all. However, he has to keep the pressure on, setting up the two chairs near one of the corners before laying the pane of glass between them. He picks Swerve up for a powerbomb, LOOKING TO PUT HIM THROUGH THE GLASS, BUT SWERVE MANAGES TO DROP OFF HIS SHOULDERS AT THE LAST MOMENT! Strickland drops to the mat behind Page in a heap, Page letting out his frustration with a few petulant stomps before leaning over to pick Swerve back up… AND EATING METAL, SWERVE WRAPPING HIS FIST IN THE CHAIN AND DECKING PAGE IN THE MOUTH! HE STACKS A STUNNED HANGMAN UP… ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Immediately, the champion transitions into a submission attempt, trying to use the chain to assist in locking in a crossface, but Page elbows his way free, pounding away at Swerve’s leg to try and get some space. He scrambles to his feet, realizing all too late that Swerve’s got the chain tangled around his neck - AND NOW SWERVE NAILS A SUPERKICK, PULLING HIM INTO THE STRIKE! Instead of attacking his opponent, Swerve leans over the ropes and laces the chain through the cage wall, grinning at his handiwork as Page lunges at him… ONLY FOR SWERVE TO PULL THE CHAIN, SLAMMING THE BACK OF HANGMAN’S HEAD INTO THE CAGE AND NEARLY SENDING HIM RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE! Hangman gasps for air as Strickland wrenches his body weight back, slowly lifting Page off of the ground… but his leg gives out, unable to support both men’s weight for too long. The challenger drops back to the canvas, but Swerve’s managed to use the cage to turn the tides as he catches his breath. Still holding onto the chain for dear life, Swerve builds up some slack to try and smash Page in the midsection with it, but Page meets him with a boot before removing the chain, averting disaster before connecting with a FALLAWAY SLAM, SENDING SWERVE ONTO THE BARBED WIRE CHAIR! ONE! TWO! THRE-ANOTHER KICKOUT! Strickland is bleeding heavily from his back now too, blood and flesh left strewn about the ring as Page goes for broke. Setting Swerve up on the top rope, he clambers up as well, the crowd rising to their feet as the two crimson-coated gladiators slug it out… AND HANGMAN GETS SWERVE UP FOR A DEADEYE! HE’S TRYING FOR AN AVALANCHE DEADEYE INTO THE GLASS… BUT STRICKLAND GRABS THE CAGE, PULLING HIMSELF BACK AND SENDING PAGE FLYING INTO AN ERUPTION OF CRYSTALLINE SHARDS! Hangman tries to rise up from the carnage on instinct, more glass digging into his skin as he attempts to stand, eventually collapsing once more as Strickland looks down. The ambulance is already parked on the ramp in case this goes to a third fall - if he deals enough damage right now, he could win two straight falls in the span of a minute. Knowing that going full send is the best course of action to maybe wrap this one up, he scales even higher, reaching the top of the cage as Las Vegas erupts… SWERVE STOMP FROM THE TOP OF THE DAMN CAGE, CRUSHING HANGMAN RIGHT BACK DOWN INTO THE SHATTERED GLASS! SWERVE GRABS HIS BAD LEG IN AGONY, BUT IT CAN’T STOP HIM FROM DRAPING HIMSELF OVER A LIFELESS HANGMAN… ONE! TWO! THREE! Swerve Strickland def. Adam Page (16:10) to win the second fall Fall Three: Ambulance Match Swerve can’t stand after such a hellacious drop, still clutching his leg as he sits up in the pool of broken glass. Hangman’s completely unmoving, though, so he has to get a move on as the cage starts to rise for the third and final fall. He rolls under the ropes, flopping against the ambulance doors and heaving them open to pull out the gurney… BUT JACK PERRY’S INSIDE, THAT RAT BASTARD! Jack leaps out as the gurney tumbles to the floor, immediately looking to cinch in some sort of sleeper on Swerve, but Strickland bucks him off and SWINGS THE DOOR OPEN INTO HIS FACE! Perry is stunned for just long enough to give Swerve an opening, Strickland grabbing a fistful of broken glass and HAMMERING PERRY ON THE JAW! Real glass, cry me a river. With Perry incapacitated, Swerve drags Hangman under the ropes and onto the gurney, trying to load him into the ambulance before he has the chance to come to his senses. He pushes the gurney up into the vehicle, but before he can close the doors, Perry’s back up, swinging wildly to give Page a few extra seconds. Swerve fires back, filled with adrenaline as he NAILS PERRY WITH A POWERBOMB ONTO THE RAMP! Hoping to get rid of Perry permanently, Swerve heads around to the passenger’s side door, opening it up and undoing the seatbelt as the terrified driver curls up against the opposite side. He chucks Perry into the passenger’s seat, buckling him in before CHAINING THE SEATBELT TO THE DOORHANDLE, TRAPPING JACK IN PLACE! Perry hurls verbal abuse at the AEW Champion as Strickland looks to head around the back and close the doors on Hangman, but PAGE IS BACK UP, VAULTING OVER PERRY AND TACKLING SWERVE OUT THE PASSENGER’S SIDE DOOR! Hangman’s got the advantage now, coated head to toe in his and Strickland’s blood as he rains forearms down with his good side. Picking Swerve up, he launches him headlong into the windshield, bringing the gurney around to try and strap the champion down. Swerve fights him off with a few punches, stumbling around the hood of the ambulance, but HANGMAN LAUNCHES HIMSELF FORWARD WITH A MODIFIED BUCKSHOT LARIAT, SLINGSHOTTING OVER THE GURNEY TO CONNECT ONCE MORE! He fights to pick Swerve up with one arm, the final Buckshot doing enough damage to negate his bad arm’s usefulness completely, but the champion keeps going on instinct with feeble elbows to the body. Page drags Swerve towards the gurney, trying to strap him in, but STRICKLAND WITH A WELL-PLACED KNEE TO THE JAW! He staggers away, not quite sure where he is as he finds himself perched against the hood of the ambulance, and now PAGE WITH A BOOT! Hangman clambers onto the hood of the ambulance, bringing Swerve with him as he looks for a POWERBOMB INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BUT STRICKLAND FLOATS OVER… AND PICKS PAGE UP FOR A BRAINBUSTER OFF THE HOOD OF THE AMBULANCE AND ONTO THE GURNEY! He can’t strap Page down, or even wheel the gurney to the back of the ambulance, as the gurney is destroyed on impact. He’s forced to drag Page on one good leg, heaving him around back and attempting to shove him into the vehicle… BUT PAGE WITH A CLUBBING LARIAT! He heaves Swerve up and falls out himself, closing one door… BUT SWERVE STOPS THE OTHER FROM CLOSING! Swerve kicks the door open and jumps out with a crossbody, only for Page to reverse into a FALLAWAY SLAM INTO THE RING APRON! He tries to kip up as he usually does, but he’s too physically depleted to manage, instead rolling slowly up to his feet and dragging Swerve back to the ambulance. He grabs one of the chairs from the ring as Strickland attempts to stand, leaving great bloody handprints smeared across the ambulance doors as he does. Page winds up, an unsuspecting Swerve turning around as THE CHAIR IS SWUNG STRAIGHT INTO THE DOOR, STRICKLAND DROPPING AT THE LAST MOMENT! The impact reverberates through Page’s arm, Swerve kicking it before taking out the knee with a low dropkick… HOUSE CALL CONNECTS! COME ON, SWERVE! GET HIM IN THE AMBULANCE! He hoists Page up, the challenger vanishing into the shadows of the vehicle… BUT PAGE IS FIGHTING WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, STICKING HIS ARM OUT TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING! He pushes his bad arm through the gap, trying to grab at Swerve’s face, desperately clawing to drag the champion into the ambulance as well, but SWERVE SLAMS THE DOOR ON THE BAD ARM! ONCE, TWICE, THRICE, OVER AND OVER AND OVER! PAGE REFUSES TO WITHDRAW THE ARM, SHEER HATRED DRIVING HIM AGAINST STRICKLAND! NOW HE USES HIS OTHER ARM TO FINALLY FORCE THE DOOR FURTHER AJAR, FIGHTING THROUGH THE GAP… STRICKLAND KICKS THE DOOR WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, SANDWICHING A BLOODY PAGE’S HEAD IN THE STEEL! HE’S OUT COLD, AND NOW SWERVE ROLLS THE LIMP BODY IN - AND CLOSES THE DOORS! SWERVE’S DONE IT! Swerve Strickland def. Adam Page (9:57) to win the third fall Swerve Strickland (2) def. Adam Page (1) (40:35) to retain the AEW World Title Road to Forbidden Door Despite Swerve managing to knock off Hangman Page at Double or Nothing, the Elite as a whole are flying high coming out of the event after beating Team AEW in Anarchy in the Arena. With a collaborative show on the horizon, the EVPs are essentially shit out of luck in trying to screw Swerve over at Forbidden Door, with a Forbidden Door Gauntlet deciding Swerve’s next PPV challenger. Dynamite sees all manner of NJPW and CMLL talent striving to get their crack at the gold, but in the end, Shingo Takagi definitively puts Hiroshi Tanahashi down to stake his claim to Swerve in New York. We’re promised big time graps as Swerve Strickland’s set to defend the AEW World Title in New York against a man with plenty of experience as a champion in his own right, both in Japan and the United States: Shingo Takagi. Swerve talks about the respect he’s got for Shingo’s ability, and how much he’s looked forward to facing him, but also says he’s lent no quarter when he’s in the ring. Shingo may be bigger and stronger, he may be plenty accomplished, but Strickland’s not afraid to hurt him if he has to in order to walk away with the win - and Shingo promises the sentiment is mutual. On route to their match, they have a one-upmanship contest teaming together against the House of Torture and Elite tandem of Ren Narita and Jack Perry. Swerve and Perry make a beeline for one another, Strickland’s rivalry with the Elite far from over, while Takagi pushes the pace against the Reiwa Musketeer with an absurd barrage of offence. Despite their internalized competition, Swerve and Shingo end up making a pretty good team, Takagi turning Narita inside out with a Pumping Bomber and a Last of the Dragon for three. Champion and challenger stand tall before standing off, Swerve confident in saying he’ll keep the title in AEW, just as has always been the case at Forbidden Door. Shingo seems plenty confident himself, though - he says before Tanahashi tried and failed on back to back shows to bring the AEW Title to New Japan, he fell to the Dragon at the Tokyo Dome. Takagi’s never had the chance to appear at Forbidden Door in a singles match, and he won’t be falling short now that the opportunity has presented itself. Non-Title Match: Swerve Strickland vs. El Desperado On the go-home show, Swerve faces off with El Desperado, because they had tag matches against each other at Forbidden Door 2022 and 2023, and they had insane chemistry. Despy puts in a good showing, but Strickland gets a decisive win with a JML Driver, looking strong heading into his second PPV title defence. Swerve Strickland def. El Desperado (12:34) Forbidden Door AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Shingo Takagi With both men having gotten a feel for the other’s arsenal, this is a clinic, Shingo and Swerve trying to outpace and outhink each other before it eventually devolves into outright mayhem, Takagi swinging for the fences to try and dethrone Strickland. Swerve is forced to match him in pace, nailing a 450 Splash to put Shingo on the back foot before attempting a House Call, only for Shingo to avoid the leg, nabbing the arm for a STAY DREAM, STRAIGHT INTO A MADE IN JAPAN! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! Takagi clobbers Strickland with a series of forearms to back him into the ropes, rushing at him before Swerve slips behind, no wasted motion as he runs the ropes himself… STRAIGHT INTO A PUMPING BOMBER! SHINGO LIFTS HIM UP FOR THE LAST OF THE DRAGON, BUT SWERVE REVERSES, WRENCHING SHINGO UP INTO A TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! Shingo’s rocked… HOUSE CALL CONNECTS! The crowd rallies behind Swerve as he hoists Takagi up into position, SEALING THE DEAL WITH A JML DRIVER! ONE! TWO! THREE! SWERVE STRICKLAND RETAINS THE AEW WORLD TITLE IN AN ABSOLUTE WAR, ENSURING THE GOLD STAYS IN HIS HOUSE! Swerve Strickland def. Shingo Takagi (20:15) to retain the AEW World Title Following the bout, Swerve and Shingo shake hands, Takagi congratulating him on a battle well fought, adding Strickland can be as vicious as anyone he’s ever seen when the situation calls for it. Strickland chuckles, slinging the title over his shoulder before WAIT A SECOND! THE YOUNG BUCKS ARE HERE WITH PAGE AND PERRY, BEATING DOWN SHINGO AND SWERVE! Hiromu Takahashi and Titan rush to the ring to try and help out their LIJ stablemate, but the Elite clean house, the EVPs sending a message to Strickland with a Buckshot and a Tony Khan Driver. Road to All In London It’s a long two months for Swerve to keep his title safe until AEW heads back to Wembley Stadium, but that’s not all that’s coming up - with the Elite laying waste to Swerve and Shingo after their bout at Forbidden Door, it seems as though Strickland will have to finally excise this thorn in his side. On Dynamite, he comes down to the ring ready to make a challenge, but the Elite beat him to the punch - last year, they won in Blood and Guts, and this year, they want to go two for two. The EVPs tell Strickland via satellite that they warned him about making enemies; now he’s got to find four partners. However, Swerve’s already got one, at least… Shingo Takagi, who doesn’t take much convincing to try and get his revenge, Swerve selling him on the idea by saying that he’s already taken out the Bucks before, so it should be light work to do it again. The next few weeks see Strickland on a recruiting run for Blood and Guts, getting Bryan Danielson on side by bringing up his shortcomings at Anarchy in the Arena, as well as his inability to be cleared for the past two Blood and Guts matches. This is Bryan’s time to make right for the years of coming up short, and Danielson agrees to stand by his fellow Washington native. Following that, Swerve makes a gamble by trying to bring on Darby Allin. Strickland acknowledges their history, but says Darby has a chance to not only make up for Anarchy in the Arena, but in doing so, all he’s gotta do is something he’s already done - beat up the Young Bucks alongside Shingo Takagi. Darby tells Swerve he simply doesn’t trust him; he’ll be pulling for his team to beat the shit out of the Elite, but he won’t be fighting Swerve’s battles. Similarly, Swerve tries his luck with MJF, saying if he’s a real AEW diehard with a tattoo on his leg, he’ll join forces with him. However, MJF laughs the offer off, telling Strickland to pound sand because there’s no universe where he works a tag match again, rounding it off by saying he’ll be gunning for the AEW World Title by trying to win the Owen. Desperate to round out his team, Swerve turns to PAC, throwing all the reasons possible at the wall to see what’ll stick - his history with Shingo making them a powerhouse team, his hatred for Okada and the Bucks. He says he trusts PAC to not walk away like he did last year, because this time, the fight will be about his cause, and not that of the BCC. PAC reluctantly accepts, but Strickland remains on edge, unsure of if PAC will stand by him when push comes to shove. Finally, Strickland is confronted by Brian Cage, who says he wants to be on the team. Swerve thanks him, but says he thinks they should go their separate ways, saying he respects Cage and the Gates of Agony, but doesn’t want them getting caught in the crossfire with the Elite. Having framed it as saving the Mogul Embassy the trouble, Swerve avoids a beatdown from Cage, but he’s still lacking a fifth man - leading to Nana suggesting his last partner be Will Ospreay, who he says is directionless after being betrayed by the Don Callis Family (who cost Will the match at Double or Nothing after he refused to use the Storm Driver 93). He’s got history with Okada that Swerve can exploit to get him on side, and even with Kenny Omega gone, he probably hates the Elite by association anyway. Swerve agrees with Nana, approaching Ospreay about joining and landing the tactical dagger to convince him - he tells Ospreay this is his chance to make up for failing the United Empire in a 5v5 cage match in February, which is enough to get Will on his side for a night. The road to Blood and Guts also sees the EVPs booking Swerve in an onslaught of matches against varied members of the roster to try and wear him down. While Swerve manages to earn victories in each encounter, he’s still clearly in a pretty bad way after seven gruelling matches over the course of three weeks, setting the stage for a battered Swerve to try and lead his team to victory in the most brutal stipulation AEW has to offer. Finally, on the go-home show, the EVPs simply… give themselves the advantage in Blood and Guts, saying they “can’t clear” Swerve to compete in a match to decide who gets it. However, they say he’ll surely be good to go on Wednesday, putting his team far on the back foot before the show even begins. Strickland, Danielson, Takagi, PAC and Ospreay vs. Okada, Page, Perry and The Bucks (Cont'd in Comments) |
2024.05.28 00:55 DissedFunction Protesting Scientology can be a cash cow it seems -if you do it right
 | One thing you can say categorically, is that for the LA protestors at least, the lure of the big $$ might be as important as the goal of ending Scientology. How so? Let’s do a quick look at the available $ metrics of Jessica Palmadessa. These relate ONLY to YouTube and not TikTok or instagram (if she has it) or Only Fans (if it’s still active.) because it would be impossible to view her current TikTok metrics because there are none. submitted by DissedFunction to protestingScientology [link] [comments] Prior to her role as lead female Scientology protestor / prankster in Los Angeles, Jessica was doing the thing an attractive blonde social media influencer tends to do it they’re not offering beauty or exercise tips—she was doing viral pranks on guys mostly and in very upscale areas like Beverly Hills. Titles for such scintillating content were like: Best Picking up guys compilation, Touring a $35,000,000 home in Beverly Hills!, Girl rizzing up guys compilation and of course, the standard Best drive thru pranks compilation. These videos generated anywhere from 450 to 2000 views each, the 2000 views representing a good video. When Jessica switched to Scientology “coverage” her views shot up. As you can see in the attached image, from 1 month she went from 777 views on a video to 7000-12000 views per video. Not bad. How did this happen? Did viewers magically just drop into her Scientology content based only on YT algorithms or was there help in boosting her channel? Maybe some of the views were purchased to give the impression of more impressions to help the channel. Maybe some of the views were directed by boosting from William Gude as he expanded from just Film the Police to Scientology Audits. And maybe there was boosting from places like SPTV and the SPTV content channels on YT. Those are questions better answered by people who are more familiar with social media metrics and frankly, games. Jessica lost her TikTok channel in mid January, but her YT stats were already going up quickly prior to that loss, so the gains can't just be attributed to migration of viewers. But what you can see by looking at analytics (albeit basic) on Social Blade is that the move from pranking dudes in Beverly Hills to pranking Scientologists in Hollywood appears to have been financially prudent. https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCmhApXqC_9S922_rZ4pfhhA An ESTIMATED monthly earnings are $4.1K - $65.5K and yearly earnings could range $49.2K - $786.5K. Again, these are estimates but a decent metric nevertheless. Monthly gain subscribers for Jessica peaked in January 2024 and then started to dip until we got to April. What happened in April that started to get those number going back up? If you go to the bottom of the page on https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCmhApXqC_9S922_rZ4pfhhA/monthly you can see with a bit more granularity where the spikes in views happened. From April 2024 to May 13 were the peaks of video views gained. In this time period were the USC and UCLA protests as well as Jessica being assaulted by an agitated Scientologist musician in NoHo, and finally, the introduction or maybe it was the creation of a perfect villain for a social media mob, Zachary Ellison. William Gude’s 20 minute, expletive filled tirade against Zach Ellison (titled “Free William) garnered 34k views and the sequel, another William Gude Jessica Palmadessa production called “We cashing out on $400k” garnered 20k views. When not engaging in bullying or UCLA protests though, Jessica’s view count goes down. And clearly the Solomon vs Chris fighting vids are substandard compare to Zach content, the Solomon and Chris stream only brought in 4.5k views. The latest video, another “Slab City Road trip “was slow on views —until word got out that Jessica was swatted out in the desert. Then and only then did the viewer count go up. So what does this all mean? Definitely Scientology pranks, assaults, swatting bring in the views. So does bullying. So does triggering the chat to be entertained by drama and bullying and trolling. UCLA protests with a whiff of violence does well too. But you can see that when the drama lessens and the mob tires of what will become stale entertainment, there will be a need to shake things up to sustain the engagements. In terms of sheer entertainment value, has the LA livestream crew reached its peak? Has the mob begun to tire of the drama content and will never be interested in actually participating in a protest or a protest movement? Have the content creators jumped the shark at this point by enticing viewers drawn to personality, pranking, looks and drama versus doing the actual hard and not too entertaining work of exposing corruption and fighting it in actual reality? https://preview.redd.it/5tnjnas7u13d1.jpg?width=2138&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d4522359ae7d46d661a71efeb9583dcb1eebc5e |
2024.05.28 00:44 Additional-Wind-1546 Nagrelapse ata ako dahil sa BINI :(
Hello everyone!
I created an alternate account to post this kasi takot akong matrack ako ng personal friends ko. So long story short, my long term girlfriend who I was planning to marry broke up with me long ago. This was honestly the hardest experience I've ever had in life. Harder than any challenges I faced sa career, finance, or family. It came to a point na I had to seek professional help to help me move on and heal some traumas narin.
This year I was doing great, as in 2024 was really great for me, puro positive experiences. Tanggap and masaya ako sa single life, very peaceful siya. Fast forward to April, nagustuhan ko yung Salamin, Salamin. Di ko genra ang P-Pop or K-Pop, I play in a band so mas scene ko yung banda banda but I still listen to Pop songs from time to time. Yung Salamin, Salamin nahook talaga ako ang catchy kasi sobra at ang happy lang pakinggan.
From there, I went down the Biniverse rabbithole. Started seeing their viral vids, their old Kumu livestreams, and genuinely natuwa ako sa kanila. They're just so authentic, funny and relatable. So after weeks of denial, yes, Bloom na ako haha.
So eto na, nagkaron narin ako ng Bias. When I shared who my Bias was to my family and friends (kasi nahawa sila sa pag stan Bini ko), medyo naramdam ko yung concern nila or parang naging uncomfortable sila nung shinare ko.
That's when it hit me so hard. My bias looks like my ex.
When I asked my family and close friends "Uy kamukha ba ni Bini si ", lahat sila ang response was something along the lines of "We're so glad you brought it up, kasi kinakabahan kaming sabihin sayo".
So now I honestly I feel so lost, sobrang gusto ko enjoyin yung pag stan Bini ko. But I can't help but be reminded of my ex when I see my bias sa Bini. Sana AU story lang to pero hindi eh haha, totoong buhay.
Maganda talaga yung ex ko, crush na crush ko siya noon. Siguro kinulang lang sa height pero yung style, face, hair, sobrang malapit talaga. If only I could show photos here comparing the two, promise maniniwala rin kayo magkahawig talaga sila. Sa close friends and family ko lahat sila overwhelmingly agree na magkamukha.
A friend told me "Baka may type ka lang na certain beauty", gusto ko paniwalaan, pero yung 2 exes ko magkalayo sa itsura so I don't think it's that.
Hay. Ngayon di ko na sure ano dapat maramdaman ko. Gusto ko enjoyin talaga BINI, kaso naaalala ko ex ko so ngayon may halong mixed emotions whereas nung una kong discover sila sobrang saya lang.
Sa start ng 2024 akala ko totally moved on nako sa ex ko, but then I have to be honest nadidisturb ako na magkamukha sila ng bias ko sa BINI. Buti nalang mukhang magkalayo sa ugali hehe. Syempre di ko kilala personally yung BINI bias ko, pero from what I've watched sa mga Kumu lives and interviews parang magkalayo personality nila ng ex ko hehe. Good thing naging bias ko siya not because of looks lang, but for her personality din. Kumbaga if magkakapartner ako, or in the future anak, sana same ugali ni BINI bias hehe.
Recently my friends have been supporting me naman. Crush lang naman daw yung bias at di ko raw dapat lagyan ng meaning. So tinatanong ko rin sarili ko if may meaning nga ba and honestly, di ko alam sa ngayon haha. Relapse? Or no? Di ko naman namimiss ex ko or di naman ako nagkaron ng feelings of wanting to get back together. Nabobother lang ako na naalala ko siya tuwing nakikita ko yung BINI bias ko haha.
Di ko sure ano purpose ng pagpost ko but I guess I needed a space where I could express this and ilabas ang saloobin ko. Sorry if mahaba ang post pero salamat if binasa mo ng buo :)
submitted by Additional-Wind-1546 to bini_ph [link] [comments]
I created an alternate account to post this kasi takot akong matrack ako ng personal friends ko. So long story short, my long term girlfriend who I was planning to marry broke up with me long ago. This was honestly the hardest experience I've ever had in life. Harder than any challenges I faced sa career, finance, or family. It came to a point na I had to seek professional help to help me move on and heal some traumas narin.
This year I was doing great, as in 2024 was really great for me, puro positive experiences. Tanggap and masaya ako sa single life, very peaceful siya. Fast forward to April, nagustuhan ko yung Salamin, Salamin. Di ko genra ang P-Pop or K-Pop, I play in a band so mas scene ko yung banda banda but I still listen to Pop songs from time to time. Yung Salamin, Salamin nahook talaga ako ang catchy kasi sobra at ang happy lang pakinggan.
From there, I went down the Biniverse rabbithole. Started seeing their viral vids, their old Kumu livestreams, and genuinely natuwa ako sa kanila. They're just so authentic, funny and relatable. So after weeks of denial, yes, Bloom na ako haha.
So eto na, nagkaron narin ako ng Bias. When I shared who my Bias was to my family and friends (kasi nahawa sila sa pag stan Bini ko), medyo naramdam ko yung concern nila or parang naging uncomfortable sila nung shinare ko.
That's when it hit me so hard. My bias looks like my ex.
When I asked my family and close friends "Uy kamukha ba ni Bini
So now I honestly I feel so lost, sobrang gusto ko enjoyin yung pag stan Bini ko. But I can't help but be reminded of my ex when I see my bias sa Bini. Sana AU story lang to pero hindi eh haha, totoong buhay.
Maganda talaga yung ex ko, crush na crush ko siya noon. Siguro kinulang lang sa height pero yung style, face, hair, sobrang malapit talaga. If only I could show photos here comparing the two, promise maniniwala rin kayo magkahawig talaga sila. Sa close friends and family ko lahat sila overwhelmingly agree na magkamukha.
A friend told me "Baka may type ka lang na certain beauty", gusto ko paniwalaan, pero yung 2 exes ko magkalayo sa itsura so I don't think it's that.
Hay. Ngayon di ko na sure ano dapat maramdaman ko. Gusto ko enjoyin talaga BINI, kaso naaalala ko ex ko so ngayon may halong mixed emotions whereas nung una kong discover sila sobrang saya lang.
Sa start ng 2024 akala ko totally moved on nako sa ex ko, but then I have to be honest nadidisturb ako na magkamukha sila ng bias ko sa BINI. Buti nalang mukhang magkalayo sa ugali hehe. Syempre di ko kilala personally yung BINI bias ko, pero from what I've watched sa mga Kumu lives and interviews parang magkalayo personality nila ng ex ko hehe. Good thing naging bias ko siya not because of looks lang, but for her personality din. Kumbaga if magkakapartner ako, or in the future anak, sana same ugali ni BINI bias hehe.
Recently my friends have been supporting me naman. Crush lang naman daw yung bias at di ko raw dapat lagyan ng meaning. So tinatanong ko rin sarili ko if may meaning nga ba and honestly, di ko alam sa ngayon haha. Relapse? Or no? Di ko naman namimiss ex ko or di naman ako nagkaron ng feelings of wanting to get back together. Nabobother lang ako na naalala ko siya tuwing nakikita ko yung BINI bias ko haha.
Di ko sure ano purpose ng pagpost ko but I guess I needed a space where I could express this and ilabas ang saloobin ko. Sorry if mahaba ang post pero salamat if binasa mo ng buo :)
2024.05.28 00:26 BlueLogician A review of the game (no spoilers)
I saw that post that had an image capturing a youtube search of the term "hellblade 2 review" resulting in videos with titles like "Hellblade 2 is SO BAD!!!...." etc. Thus, I decided to share this review that I feel neither glorifies or resents it but presents a more neutral, balanced look at the game. Note: The original review is written in greek and this is an unofficial english translation.
Author: Sakis Karpas, Source: https://unboxholics.com/reviews/games/pc/114048-senuas-saga-hellblade-ii-review-o-sparagmos-tis-anthropinis-psychis
The second dark journey of Senua begins…
The human mind is an abyss. What it hides, what it carries, and what it sinks into are beyond imagination. When the mind becomes ill, the soul becomes ill as well, the individual's "being" is shaken, and they risk entering a loop so dark that until it collapses, the torment is painful. The hell a mind goes through when it loses its sanity, when it is attacked by psychoses, is tragic. There is no more extreme pain than the pain of the soul.
One of the reasons I loved the first Hellblade is because it is one of the few "works" of modern times that managed to capture this "sick" condition, which millions of people live with every day, with great descriptiveness and respect for all those who carry psychoses. Senua’s Sacrifice is a unique game that left its own mark on the gaming world.
And the time has come for Senua's second adventure. After going through its own "little" hell during development, as Ninja Theory saw significant departures from its team and got new bosses overhead, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is now here, ready to plunge us into its own dark ocean. But does it manage to captivate and "touch" as its predecessor did?
The events of the second game take place shortly after the end of the first Hellblade. Senua, wanting to find the source of her darkness and put an end to the sorrow of her people, boards a boat with slaves, who are taken to an island somewhere in Iceland. From there begins a journey towards the "light," desperately seeking to illuminate all this black veil that has covered her own life and that of her people.
Once again, the way the game is directed is masterful. Anguish, despair, and pain are at the forefront, while the descriptive rawness of the plot is almost disarming. The writing has a poetic tone again, and the allegories are many and evident. There are moments when the narration is so dramatic that it pulls you deeper and deeper until you reach a point where you have found the "bottom," and you are forced to reconcile with its rhythm. However, narratively, I believe we don't have the climax that the initial premise promises, and I found the ending slightly weak, though not disappointing. The title mainly falters in the way it wants to communicate its ending rather than the ending itself. Also, in terms of the storyline, I felt it ended and left me wanting more, even though I enjoyed it a lot. Specifically, I don't think I played more than 6-7 hours.
Senua's psychosis is present here as well, with the "voices" speaking to her and weaving each of her thoughts, constituting a harrowing process for the player as well, like furies that tear the soul apart and fill it with remorse and pain. To the average gamer, this may seem a bit tiresome after a point, but the concept was clear from the start: Senua suffers from severe schizophrenia and constantly "hears" voices, so in order to identify even slightly with her, we as players must taste a bit of her miserable and sorrowful daily life. However, the storyteller of the whole plot holds onto the initial thread of the story, whose words are crucial as they strip bare each scene and roughly ground any thought that tries to fly off with audacity.
Once again, the role of Senua is undertaken by the amazing Melina Juergens, while the rest of the cast - comprised of Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Aldís Amah Hamilton, and Steven Hartley - stands up admirably to the occasion, delivering exceptional performances. And it is these performances upon which the direction and the script rely heavily, carrying the burden of the attempted cohesion in an otherwise brief timeframe given to the player. In simpler terms, while the backgrounds and specifications are there to build the characters beautifully and smoothly, they are not given the necessary time to unfold, resulting in a lack of identification or captivation with them.
As for the gameplay, here the situation is a bit painful, and let me explain why. Senua’s Saga closely follows the footsteps of its predecessor. Thus, we have again a game that resembles more of a cinematic, interactive experience rather than a typical video game, in the sense that many have in mind. No, Hellblade 2 didn't become God of War, no, Hellblade 2 didn't become more of a "video game." On the contrary, I would say it became more of a "movie," and everyone perceives it as they wish. Personally, while I enjoy cinematic gaming dramas a lot, I would like more involvement as a player. The battles are few and far between, and the puzzles aren't enough to satisfy you. On the other hand, I am someone who can immerse myself in storytelling and writing, and Hellblade 2 has enough of such scenes.
The battles have significantly improved, but they maintain their solid and realistic stance. Every time I engaged in a clash with an enemy, I savored every moment. The terrifying clash of sword metal and the raw flesh-cutting in each strike are elements that provide an incredible, gruesome realism. Additionally, I found the artistically crafted choreographies in the battles to be exceptionally improved, now rivaling scenes from Hollywood movies. Overall, in terms of directing, in those moments where action takes the spotlight, Ninja Theory came out unscathed and showed that it is a studio with tremendous vision and aesthetics.
If you remember from the first game, puzzles were the second major aspect that occupied space in the gameplay. And in Senua’s Saga, they occupy the same significant portion and are executed in a similar manner. So here, we have puzzles that will, 99% of the time, require you to play with perspective. The downside is that they hardly delve deep at all, and you feel that many times, besides being repetitive, they don't even attempt to challenge you in the slightest. I would like more engagement with this; I would like to struggle a little more, and ultimately, I would like Ninja Theory to somehow exploit the terrain more cleverly.
Technically, I think we are dealing with the most beautiful game out there. Unreal Engine 5 has been rendered in the best way possible, and its beauty can… freak out the eyes and mind. The wild nature of Iceland is almost hypnotic, and the studio's efforts, with overnight stays in the actual locations of the country, have paid off. The character models are of stunning detail, while the facial animation and lip-sync techniques are disarmingly good. The overall animations are of a high level and can stand toe-to-toe with much larger productions from much bigger studios.
Let's be realistic, though. The game is entirely linear, and Senua's interaction with the environment is almost non-existent. You can understand that it is much easier to "polish" such a world than, for example, a more "active" game. However, the visuals remain stunning, and the eye will have a fantastic experience with Hellblade 2, wherever the game is played. On PC as well as on Xbox Series S and X, the title is beautiful, with the difference being that on PC, it will run at 60fps.
The entire experience of Hellblade 2, however, I believe, is once again based on the sound, and no, it will not disappoint. The game screams to be played with headphones, and if you do, you will be richly rewarded. Amazing effects, fantastic mixing, and a wonderful master from the Brits at Ninja Theory, who once again, outperform huge studios. I want to make a special mention of the music, which I found even better than in the original game, with a clearly more epic essence, while it doesn't lack the more sensitive moments that, in my opinion, were missing from Senua’s Sacrifice.
In summary, "Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2" is a game that deals with the agony of the human soul, the tormenting journey of the mind into darkness, and the redemption from despair. It strips down the essence of its characters and with strong allegories drawn from Scandinavian mythology, it provides a cinematically powerful experience. It's less of a "game" than what I wanted; it doesn't risk/attempt anything new, lacks climax in its narrative, and narratively, it's more poetic than what appeals to the masses. If you enjoyed the first Hellblade, you are obligated to experience the rest of the journey.
(The game received a "invest your time" score by the author, they don't use a traditional 1-10 scoring system)
submitted by BlueLogician to hellblade [link] [comments]
Author: Sakis Karpas, Source: https://unboxholics.com/reviews/games/pc/114048-senuas-saga-hellblade-ii-review-o-sparagmos-tis-anthropinis-psychis
The second dark journey of Senua begins…
The human mind is an abyss. What it hides, what it carries, and what it sinks into are beyond imagination. When the mind becomes ill, the soul becomes ill as well, the individual's "being" is shaken, and they risk entering a loop so dark that until it collapses, the torment is painful. The hell a mind goes through when it loses its sanity, when it is attacked by psychoses, is tragic. There is no more extreme pain than the pain of the soul.
One of the reasons I loved the first Hellblade is because it is one of the few "works" of modern times that managed to capture this "sick" condition, which millions of people live with every day, with great descriptiveness and respect for all those who carry psychoses. Senua’s Sacrifice is a unique game that left its own mark on the gaming world.
And the time has come for Senua's second adventure. After going through its own "little" hell during development, as Ninja Theory saw significant departures from its team and got new bosses overhead, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is now here, ready to plunge us into its own dark ocean. But does it manage to captivate and "touch" as its predecessor did?
The events of the second game take place shortly after the end of the first Hellblade. Senua, wanting to find the source of her darkness and put an end to the sorrow of her people, boards a boat with slaves, who are taken to an island somewhere in Iceland. From there begins a journey towards the "light," desperately seeking to illuminate all this black veil that has covered her own life and that of her people.
Once again, the way the game is directed is masterful. Anguish, despair, and pain are at the forefront, while the descriptive rawness of the plot is almost disarming. The writing has a poetic tone again, and the allegories are many and evident. There are moments when the narration is so dramatic that it pulls you deeper and deeper until you reach a point where you have found the "bottom," and you are forced to reconcile with its rhythm. However, narratively, I believe we don't have the climax that the initial premise promises, and I found the ending slightly weak, though not disappointing. The title mainly falters in the way it wants to communicate its ending rather than the ending itself. Also, in terms of the storyline, I felt it ended and left me wanting more, even though I enjoyed it a lot. Specifically, I don't think I played more than 6-7 hours.
Senua's psychosis is present here as well, with the "voices" speaking to her and weaving each of her thoughts, constituting a harrowing process for the player as well, like furies that tear the soul apart and fill it with remorse and pain. To the average gamer, this may seem a bit tiresome after a point, but the concept was clear from the start: Senua suffers from severe schizophrenia and constantly "hears" voices, so in order to identify even slightly with her, we as players must taste a bit of her miserable and sorrowful daily life. However, the storyteller of the whole plot holds onto the initial thread of the story, whose words are crucial as they strip bare each scene and roughly ground any thought that tries to fly off with audacity.
Once again, the role of Senua is undertaken by the amazing Melina Juergens, while the rest of the cast - comprised of Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Aldís Amah Hamilton, and Steven Hartley - stands up admirably to the occasion, delivering exceptional performances. And it is these performances upon which the direction and the script rely heavily, carrying the burden of the attempted cohesion in an otherwise brief timeframe given to the player. In simpler terms, while the backgrounds and specifications are there to build the characters beautifully and smoothly, they are not given the necessary time to unfold, resulting in a lack of identification or captivation with them.
As for the gameplay, here the situation is a bit painful, and let me explain why. Senua’s Saga closely follows the footsteps of its predecessor. Thus, we have again a game that resembles more of a cinematic, interactive experience rather than a typical video game, in the sense that many have in mind. No, Hellblade 2 didn't become God of War, no, Hellblade 2 didn't become more of a "video game." On the contrary, I would say it became more of a "movie," and everyone perceives it as they wish. Personally, while I enjoy cinematic gaming dramas a lot, I would like more involvement as a player. The battles are few and far between, and the puzzles aren't enough to satisfy you. On the other hand, I am someone who can immerse myself in storytelling and writing, and Hellblade 2 has enough of such scenes.
The battles have significantly improved, but they maintain their solid and realistic stance. Every time I engaged in a clash with an enemy, I savored every moment. The terrifying clash of sword metal and the raw flesh-cutting in each strike are elements that provide an incredible, gruesome realism. Additionally, I found the artistically crafted choreographies in the battles to be exceptionally improved, now rivaling scenes from Hollywood movies. Overall, in terms of directing, in those moments where action takes the spotlight, Ninja Theory came out unscathed and showed that it is a studio with tremendous vision and aesthetics.
If you remember from the first game, puzzles were the second major aspect that occupied space in the gameplay. And in Senua’s Saga, they occupy the same significant portion and are executed in a similar manner. So here, we have puzzles that will, 99% of the time, require you to play with perspective. The downside is that they hardly delve deep at all, and you feel that many times, besides being repetitive, they don't even attempt to challenge you in the slightest. I would like more engagement with this; I would like to struggle a little more, and ultimately, I would like Ninja Theory to somehow exploit the terrain more cleverly.
Technically, I think we are dealing with the most beautiful game out there. Unreal Engine 5 has been rendered in the best way possible, and its beauty can… freak out the eyes and mind. The wild nature of Iceland is almost hypnotic, and the studio's efforts, with overnight stays in the actual locations of the country, have paid off. The character models are of stunning detail, while the facial animation and lip-sync techniques are disarmingly good. The overall animations are of a high level and can stand toe-to-toe with much larger productions from much bigger studios.
Let's be realistic, though. The game is entirely linear, and Senua's interaction with the environment is almost non-existent. You can understand that it is much easier to "polish" such a world than, for example, a more "active" game. However, the visuals remain stunning, and the eye will have a fantastic experience with Hellblade 2, wherever the game is played. On PC as well as on Xbox Series S and X, the title is beautiful, with the difference being that on PC, it will run at 60fps.
The entire experience of Hellblade 2, however, I believe, is once again based on the sound, and no, it will not disappoint. The game screams to be played with headphones, and if you do, you will be richly rewarded. Amazing effects, fantastic mixing, and a wonderful master from the Brits at Ninja Theory, who once again, outperform huge studios. I want to make a special mention of the music, which I found even better than in the original game, with a clearly more epic essence, while it doesn't lack the more sensitive moments that, in my opinion, were missing from Senua’s Sacrifice.
In summary, "Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2" is a game that deals with the agony of the human soul, the tormenting journey of the mind into darkness, and the redemption from despair. It strips down the essence of its characters and with strong allegories drawn from Scandinavian mythology, it provides a cinematically powerful experience. It's less of a "game" than what I wanted; it doesn't risk/attempt anything new, lacks climax in its narrative, and narratively, it's more poetic than what appeals to the masses. If you enjoyed the first Hellblade, you are obligated to experience the rest of the journey.
(The game received a "invest your time" score by the author, they don't use a traditional 1-10 scoring system)
2024.05.27 23:54 David_T-Rex I will build my ICP PATIENCE by thinking like a GARDENER.
[Credit to Jerry Banfield, his YouTube vid today swung this concept around and it slapped some sense right into me]
I'm struggling with being patient with my ICP investment. I think about it too much. I check the price too much. I get emotional when the results don't meet my high expectations. Many of you can relate. A few of you are sick of my whining. Well so am I, so I'm going to try this on and see how it fits.
I'll look at my staked bag as a big fat tree seed. I've always admired the grace and beauty of the Japanese maple, so that's how I'll see my ICP from now on.
My NNS wallet, my staked neuron, and my voting rewards make up the good soil, fertilizer and daily rain.
My ICP Japanese maple tree seed is well planted. It's safe. Everything's in place for it to sprout and to peek out and to grow up toward the sun. All I have to do is stay out of the way and let it be a slow-growing tree. It doesn't care what I think, or what I want, or what my expectations are. It's a tree. There's no rushing it. It's out of my hands now so there's nothing more I can do.
So I'll enjoy my new job. I'll pay off my debts. I'll move through my days trying to be my best self. My life-changing ICP success will come when it comes and daily stressing over ridiculous short-term expectations serves no one.
And so, I'll see you all in a few months. I'm taking a long-overdue crypto-free staycation.
PEACE, my ICP bros & sis's.
Edit: Moving Coinbase & CoinGekko apps off my homescreen has helped a lot. So far so good, haven't priced it since posting, a new record for me. Have CoinGekko alerts set to celebrate 2 major milestones; Turning Positive ($29.02) and Crypto Millionaire ($125). Happily ignoring it till then.
submitted by David_T-Rex to ICPTrader [link] [comments]
I'm struggling with being patient with my ICP investment. I think about it too much. I check the price too much. I get emotional when the results don't meet my high expectations. Many of you can relate. A few of you are sick of my whining. Well so am I, so I'm going to try this on and see how it fits.
I'll look at my staked bag as a big fat tree seed. I've always admired the grace and beauty of the Japanese maple, so that's how I'll see my ICP from now on.
My NNS wallet, my staked neuron, and my voting rewards make up the good soil, fertilizer and daily rain.
My ICP Japanese maple tree seed is well planted. It's safe. Everything's in place for it to sprout and to peek out and to grow up toward the sun. All I have to do is stay out of the way and let it be a slow-growing tree. It doesn't care what I think, or what I want, or what my expectations are. It's a tree. There's no rushing it. It's out of my hands now so there's nothing more I can do.
So I'll enjoy my new job. I'll pay off my debts. I'll move through my days trying to be my best self. My life-changing ICP success will come when it comes and daily stressing over ridiculous short-term expectations serves no one.
And so, I'll see you all in a few months. I'm taking a long-overdue crypto-free staycation.
PEACE, my ICP bros & sis's.
Edit: Moving Coinbase & CoinGekko apps off my homescreen has helped a lot. So far so good, haven't priced it since posting, a new record for me. Have CoinGekko alerts set to celebrate 2 major milestones; Turning Positive ($29.02) and Crypto Millionaire ($125). Happily ignoring it till then.
2024.05.27 23:12 TheHole89 [WTS] Collection Down Size; Penguins, Smock, Runt, Donut Elementum, Biblio, Evo 4, Flashlights
Hey guys. Got a few things i'm trying to get rid of. All knives have been sharpened and carried. NO TRADES right now. Reasonable offers accepted. All knives have original boxes. Missing boxes for the Lights though. Also sorry for everything being out of order, Imgur is being a pain right now and won't let me upload videos. If you want or need more pics/vids, let me know. I'm Leaving town tonight (may 27) and will be back home may 28, in the evening. Shipping wont begin until at least the 29th.
Timestamp and Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/ms8YgVk
Ace Biblio - Great shape. No mods. Beautiful burgundy micarta scales. M390 blade steel. Titanium hardware. I have a black Lynch clip i can let go of too for an additional 20. Has been used and carried, but not abused. WITHDRAWN
Protech Runt - Sweet little knife it pretty good shape. I did sharpen it, and had to re angle the blade because the angles were quite a bit off. And still are off some. Magnacut blade steel, aluminum body. Does have a couple marks on the body, and the clip. Has been carried and used, but not abused at all.SV 100 SV 80
Civivi Donut Elementum - Just novel AF. cool knife. Second one i have, don't know why i had to have 2 but i don't. i never carry it. Has been honed and has a slightly polished edge. carried once or twice, but thats it. In great shape and still needs a little breaking in.SV 60 SV40 TV50
QSP Shreded CF Penguin - Awesome looking knife. Doesn't see any pocket time from me. carried it once. honed and polished the edge but thats it. D2 blade steel, so its not a premium line, but looks great. WITHDRAWN
QSP Frag Ti Penguin - This is actually a knife i worked on myself. Kaviso Titanium kit on it. Pivot is the original pivot, for some reason couldn't get the Kaviso one to work. Will come with the original hard ware. Blade is acid and stone washed by me. Action on this one is great and drop shutty.SV 80 SV50 TV60
Spyderco Smock - Classic. Currently has a deep carry Ti clip on it, but will come with the original clip. been carried a few times. used a couple. not abused. think the hardest thing i put it through was carving up a mango... it was a really good mango too. action is snappy and awesome. This one may have a factory edge on it, but knowing me, i messed with it. SV 180 SOLD SOLD
CFK Evo 4 - my pride and joy.... Can't do it... sorry guys... WITHDRAWN
Flashlight Package - Two of the lights are Reylight mini Pineapples. the grey one is aluminum, the bronze one is ano'd Ti. both if wonderful shape and work as they should. the antique looking one is an Olight. Not sure of the Model, but it's pretty cool IMO. all come with battery. SV 150
Lights got split up. I have the aluminum reylight and Olight left. SV50 for both.
submitted by TheHole89 to Knife_Swap [link] [comments]
Timestamp and Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/ms8YgVk
Protech Runt - Sweet little knife it pretty good shape. I did sharpen it, and had to re angle the blade because the angles were quite a bit off. And still are off some. Magnacut blade steel, aluminum body. Does have a couple marks on the body, and the clip. Has been carried and used, but not abused at all.
Civivi Donut Elementum - Just novel AF. cool knife. Second one i have, don't know why i had to have 2 but i don't. i never carry it. Has been honed and has a slightly polished edge. carried once or twice, but thats it. In great shape and still needs a little breaking in.
QSP Frag Ti Penguin - This is actually a knife i worked on myself. Kaviso Titanium kit on it. Pivot is the original pivot, for some reason couldn't get the Kaviso one to work. Will come with the original hard ware. Blade is acid and stone washed by me. Action on this one is great and drop shutty.
Lights got split up. I have the aluminum reylight and Olight left. SV50 for both.
2024.05.27 22:22 Ancient-Leather-7413 anyone know about this account
 | i found this account on tictok and keeps taking about ascension submitted by Ancient-Leather-7413 to ARG [link] [comments] |
2024.05.27 22:15 cinder_undercover123 First Attempt Tapestry - Any Tips for Improving?
 | Hello all! I’ve been crocheting for about two years, mostly plushies and accessories but yesterday decided to try my hand at tapestry. I didn’t follow a tutorial, just watched a few vids, found this on google images and gave it a go. It’s not blocked obvs and I didn’t finish it as the ‘boo!’ Was coming out backwards but I wanted to know if anyone with tapestry experience has any tips for making sure designs don’t come out backwards and how to make colour changes look more seamless because I feel like the colour changes look quite bulky? I’d love to get better at tapestry, I see so many beautiful designs and I’ve bookmarked loads so if anyone has any tips for improvement I’d be super grateful 💖💪🏽 submitted by cinder_undercover123 to CrochetHelp [link] [comments] |
2024.05.27 20:25 frahstyDawg [WTS] Mini Arius C-pattern, two Cypresses for the price of one, para3 w/ LNW scales
Trying to reduce my collection and recoup some funds. All prices are OBRO. If anything catches your eye, shoot me a chat/pm and i'm happy to chat.
You're welcome to send trade offers, but I am mostly looking for specific customs at this point and unlikely to accept anything production.
All prices are PPFF, Venmo, or Zelle. I will accept PPGS, but add 3% for the fee. Shiped CONUS.
TIMESTAMP
Pics
vid
Thought this was a forever knife due to the neatness of having the first one ever made, and the first custom knife I ever bought, but i've grown less sentimental, and am trying to downsize the collection.
Blade Steel: Hand rubbed, hard milled, magnacut
Action: Action is ok, Centering is perfect, lockup is solid, but a bit shallow, can be tuned to drop shut if you want. However flipper tab is missing some texture and size making it not the easiest to flip, it took me some practice for sure. Spydie hole is cosmetic lol.
Details: Blackened hardware, screws, pivot collars and clip, rose gold scales and pivot. Anodization turned out excellent on this guy, it's really difficult to capture the color in photos. The lock bar
Condition/use: This guy is in excellent condition, i've flicked it around the house, taken apart once to tune and lubricate
Extras: comes with Box and COA
Price: $599(Or take both cypresses for $675) SOLD SOLD SOLD
Pics
Vid
I bought this guy in a pretty bad state with the intentions of fixing it up/mess around with. However, that hasn't come to pass and i'm looking to move it on to someone who could bring it back to life.
Blade Steel: Hard milled magnacut, I believe it was originally acid washed, but I attempted to hand rub the blade but got bored half way through so only one side is.
Action: The action on this guy is the better of the two cypresses. It locks up a bit deeper, and the previous owner took a dremel to the flipper tab to give it more texture. It opens really well, and drops shut cleanly.
Details: Blackened hardware, screws, pivot collars and clip. Used to be bright green, but that was stripped.
Condition/use: This guy is kinda f'ed up finish wise. However could easily be brought back to life by someone who knows what they're doing and has the tools to refinish. Also has been sharpened and used a good amount by previous owners.
Extras: Comes with Box and COA
Price: $199(Or take both cypresses for $675) SOLD SOLD SOLD
Vid
It's a really nice Mini Arius, just fallen out of favor.
Blade Steel: m390 Burnished
Action :It's an Arius, the action is perfect. Centering is perfect, drops shut, fires like a rocket with any opening method. No Blade play.
Details: True PJ c-pattern. Burnished scales, satin hardware. G1B1
Condition/use: It's in good condition, but a light user. Couple of small snails on the scale and clip. It came to me(I think from the factory) with a terrible edge. One side was >30 degrees and the other was <20, it's been sharpened to ~22 each side, it's in excellent shape now.
Extras: Comes with Box, microfiber cloth, and COA
Price: $700
pics
Vid
A beautiful chromed out k390 para3
Blade Steel : k390
Action: Action on this guy is pretty great, can be tuned to drop shut, fires like a rocket. I have it tuned down a little bit since I favor centering and blade play over drop shut. I don't have it loctited, and it's easy to adjust.
Details: full silver build. Lynch NW stonewashed streamline scales on a k390 para3 from bento box shop. OEM scales were brown.
Condition/use: This guy is in excellent condition. I was the first owner of the scales, and the para3 was LNIB when I bought it. It's obviously been taken apart to remount the scales. It's been carried around the office and flicked, but never really used. The edge is slightly uneven from the factory, but never sharpened by me.
Extras: LNW box and all the goodies, spyderco box and all the goodies. Comes with all OEM parts.
Price: $270(will consider splitting the build)
submitted by frahstyDawg to Knife_Swap [link] [comments]
You're welcome to send trade offers, but I am mostly looking for specific customs at this point and unlikely to accept anything production.
All prices are PPFF, Venmo, or Zelle. I will accept PPGS, but add 3% for the fee. Shiped CONUS.
TIMESTAMP
RobJohnson Cypress #1
SOLD SOLD SOLDPics
vid
Thought this was a forever knife due to the neatness of having the first one ever made, and the first custom knife I ever bought, but i've grown less sentimental, and am trying to downsize the collection.
Blade Steel: Hand rubbed, hard milled, magnacut
Action: Action is ok, Centering is perfect, lockup is solid, but a bit shallow, can be tuned to drop shut if you want. However flipper tab is missing some texture and size making it not the easiest to flip, it took me some practice for sure. Spydie hole is cosmetic lol.
Details: Blackened hardware, screws, pivot collars and clip, rose gold scales and pivot. Anodization turned out excellent on this guy, it's really difficult to capture the color in photos. The lock bar
Condition/use: This guy is in excellent condition, i've flicked it around the house, taken apart once to tune and lubricate
Extras: comes with Box and COA
Price: $599(Or take both cypresses for $675) SOLD SOLD SOLD
RobJohnson Cypress #3
SOLD SOLD SOLDPics
Vid
I bought this guy in a pretty bad state with the intentions of fixing it up/mess around with. However, that hasn't come to pass and i'm looking to move it on to someone who could bring it back to life.
Blade Steel: Hard milled magnacut, I believe it was originally acid washed, but I attempted to hand rub the blade but got bored half way through so only one side is.
Action: The action on this guy is the better of the two cypresses. It locks up a bit deeper, and the previous owner took a dremel to the flipper tab to give it more texture. It opens really well, and drops shut cleanly.
Details: Blackened hardware, screws, pivot collars and clip. Used to be bright green, but that was stripped.
Condition/use: This guy is kinda f'ed up finish wise. However could easily be brought back to life by someone who knows what they're doing and has the tools to refinish. Also has been sharpened and used a good amount by previous owners.
Extras: Comes with Box and COA
Price: $199(Or take both cypresses for $675) SOLD SOLD SOLD
Koenig Mini-Arius Corda G1B1
PicsVid
It's a really nice Mini Arius, just fallen out of favor.
Blade Steel: m390 Burnished
Action :It's an Arius, the action is perfect. Centering is perfect, drops shut, fires like a rocket with any opening method. No Blade play.
Details: True PJ c-pattern. Burnished scales, satin hardware. G1B1
Condition/use: It's in good condition, but a light user. Couple of small snails on the scale and clip. It came to me(I think from the factory) with a terrible edge. One side was >30 degrees and the other was <20, it's been sharpened to ~22 each side, it's in excellent shape now.
Extras: Comes with Box, microfiber cloth, and COA
Price: $700
Para3 K390 w/ LNW streamline scales
KNIFE IS GONE, SCALES AVAILABLE ($100)pics
Vid
2024.05.27 18:41 BrooklynPaprika Recent success story 🖤
 | Channeled some beautiful rage into this candelabra- full vid on my IG submitted by BrooklynPaprika to Ceramics [link] [comments] |
2024.05.27 10:49 Planet_Myking NEW VID !! OMG Ariana Is Seriously The Most Beautiful Girl In The World ❤️🔥
 | submitted by Planet_Myking to SheLovesDaddy [link] [comments] |
2024.05.27 10:20 Wrong_Tomorrow5881 A Letter To All Parents And Students
Good afternoon everyone,
This is a letter to all students and parents, irrespective of the board.
Today I woke up to the news that my childhood friend has lost her life to board exam results. It is surprising how words and actions can make such an huge difference in a person's life. I am just done with how our society works. Her relatives have made such harsh comparisons and comments, she couldn't just take it anymore.
As far as I know, she is a sensitive person which is evident by the drastic step she took. I am writing here on as she was a CBSE student so please do not redirect me. And a good one at that. I can't bring myself to fathom this is real. I myself am in denial. However, I am posting this to bring light to the injustice and the life-taking flaws of our society.
Everyone was comparing her marks, she got approximately 79% which is good and above first distinction. Now instead of praising her and appreciating and complimenting her on effort and hardwork, what do they do? They make such rude comments and use of stern words to maybe, project their own jealously and insecurities. But, this is not how we should be to people. Not everyone can take such comments and not take it to heart. Some are extremely sensitive and kind-hearted, like her. We as a society have failed such people. Every year, do you know how many people especially students, bring themselves to meet their ultimate fate? How many people have gone forever because of these useless, heartless comments? How many people have suffered because their mental health is down? No right?
People priorities such things like marks. Someone who has got 80% will ask for 90%, someone who has got 70% will ask for 80% and so on. She may or may not have been bright but for one thing, she was kind-hearted. That I can say. Everyone is special and unique in their own way. In a society, where kindness is overlooked and such superficial things are made a fuss of, I can't say but I am disappointed in people. Now people will show their sorrow and emotions, but they never dare to learn from this. Why don't people understand that once a person is gone, they're GONE FOREVER. NO MAGIC SPELL CAN BRING THEM BACK. NO MATTER HOW MANY TEARS WE SHED, REGRET IS THE ONLY THING WE WILL HAVE.
People ought to think twice before they use their tongue. Their careless tongue. Those words can make or break someone. They used it to break her.
Dear parents, I have a request. Please don't ever make your child a victim to such comparisons. Please don't allow anyone either, especially relatives. Please let your child decide whether or not they want to reveal their score. My friend was a lucky and happy child before she became fell prey to such comparisons. I pray that no such incident occurs again. Her parents' sorrow is unparalled and their soul has been so hurt. So please, let your child do what they want, help them find their passion and build up on it. Assess their strengths and weaknesses and make something beautiful out of it. No one is useless, no one is worthless. Even the most "useless and worthless" people have risen to the top. Please, please I beg of you, to not push your child to such extreme lengths. Help THEM find their talent and utilise it and make them proud children. Once someone makes this decision, there is no turning back.
Dear students, please please think twice before such a step. These thoughts will come into your mind but it is your choice to not act upon it. You may feel there is no point in breathing anymore, you are a failure. NO, PLEASE NO. Please don't think like that, this is not the end as much so it is the beginning. Hope, if you ever find it you will cling on to it. Please, even if you can't find a thousand reasons to stay alive, ONE reason, even if you CAN JUST FIND one reason, that's enough. That's your string of hope, cling on to it and cling on to it hard. No, don't let go no matter what. Even if you can't find the one reason, let's take this, you get to wake up another and that's reason enough there is hope. Please hold on to it tight and never let go, because if you do there is no turning back. I went through this too and for a long time, still I cling on to life, because our time is not yet over. No magic, no medicine, no person can revive a dead one.
So please, whether you are a student, parent, relative of someone, teacher, anyone, please never let your words take another life. You'll be devasted. No one can stop the flood of sorrow. Also, if you think no will care if you're gone, just think, you'll never know because you won't be there anymore. You can't do anything anymore. You won't even remember all this. Remember, board marks, exams, people are NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. People will move on, but you will always be in unrest due to your agony that caused you to take you life. It's not their life you're affecting, IT'S YOURS.
We as a society have failed such kind-hearted and innocent souls. It's NOT their mistake, their fault. IT'S OURS, AS A COLLECTIVE DISHARMONY, IT'S OURS. THEY'RE CHILDREN FOR GOD'S SAKE, LEAVE THEM ALONE. DON'T MAKE THEM OR PRESSURIZE THEM TO DO SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT. LET. THEM. LIVE. THEIR. LIFE. DON'T MAKE THEIR LIVES AS MISERABLE AS YOURS. As long as society won't change this mindset, every year a string of such unfortunate cases will follow. Beware, you'll never know how, when, or even why a person did this. You'll be in shock and denial and most probably regret.
Also to the people who will probably scoff at such a long post, I don't care. I have a lost a friend and that's enough. I don't care for all the people who oppose me for my views. If you have a valid point, state it. If not, keep you mouth shut and your venomous words WITH YOU. Empathy is not for everyone and I understand that, that's why such cases happen. So people, if you have even a slither of shame, of conscience then USE YOUR WORDS WISELY.
No matter how much I scream, no matter how much I cry nothing can bring her back. Now to all those who wish for a similar fate, I have no words for you. I can only wish now that my friend rests in peace and the comparisons are forever away from her. I feel guilty that maybe I could've done something, but, she didn't know and neither did I. Well, I am not a better person but I wish she was here, alive, happy and smiling.
"Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude"
- Anne Frank
I hope this post of mine helps some people, who I hope, would not find themselves in the same place as I am today.
Yours truly,
Signed
Vera
submitted by Wrong_Tomorrow5881 to IndianTeenagers [link] [comments]
This is a letter to all students and parents, irrespective of the board.
Today I woke up to the news that my childhood friend has lost her life to board exam results. It is surprising how words and actions can make such an huge difference in a person's life. I am just done with how our society works. Her relatives have made such harsh comparisons and comments, she couldn't just take it anymore.
As far as I know, she is a sensitive person which is evident by the drastic step she took. I am writing here on as she was a CBSE student so please do not redirect me. And a good one at that. I can't bring myself to fathom this is real. I myself am in denial. However, I am posting this to bring light to the injustice and the life-taking flaws of our society.
Everyone was comparing her marks, she got approximately 79% which is good and above first distinction. Now instead of praising her and appreciating and complimenting her on effort and hardwork, what do they do? They make such rude comments and use of stern words to maybe, project their own jealously and insecurities. But, this is not how we should be to people. Not everyone can take such comments and not take it to heart. Some are extremely sensitive and kind-hearted, like her. We as a society have failed such people. Every year, do you know how many people especially students, bring themselves to meet their ultimate fate? How many people have gone forever because of these useless, heartless comments? How many people have suffered because their mental health is down? No right?
People priorities such things like marks. Someone who has got 80% will ask for 90%, someone who has got 70% will ask for 80% and so on. She may or may not have been bright but for one thing, she was kind-hearted. That I can say. Everyone is special and unique in their own way. In a society, where kindness is overlooked and such superficial things are made a fuss of, I can't say but I am disappointed in people. Now people will show their sorrow and emotions, but they never dare to learn from this. Why don't people understand that once a person is gone, they're GONE FOREVER. NO MAGIC SPELL CAN BRING THEM BACK. NO MATTER HOW MANY TEARS WE SHED, REGRET IS THE ONLY THING WE WILL HAVE.
People ought to think twice before they use their tongue. Their careless tongue. Those words can make or break someone. They used it to break her.
Dear parents, I have a request. Please don't ever make your child a victim to such comparisons. Please don't allow anyone either, especially relatives. Please let your child decide whether or not they want to reveal their score. My friend was a lucky and happy child before she became fell prey to such comparisons. I pray that no such incident occurs again. Her parents' sorrow is unparalled and their soul has been so hurt. So please, let your child do what they want, help them find their passion and build up on it. Assess their strengths and weaknesses and make something beautiful out of it. No one is useless, no one is worthless. Even the most "useless and worthless" people have risen to the top. Please, please I beg of you, to not push your child to such extreme lengths. Help THEM find their talent and utilise it and make them proud children. Once someone makes this decision, there is no turning back.
Dear students, please please think twice before such a step. These thoughts will come into your mind but it is your choice to not act upon it. You may feel there is no point in breathing anymore, you are a failure. NO, PLEASE NO. Please don't think like that, this is not the end as much so it is the beginning. Hope, if you ever find it you will cling on to it. Please, even if you can't find a thousand reasons to stay alive, ONE reason, even if you CAN JUST FIND one reason, that's enough. That's your string of hope, cling on to it and cling on to it hard. No, don't let go no matter what. Even if you can't find the one reason, let's take this, you get to wake up another and that's reason enough there is hope. Please hold on to it tight and never let go, because if you do there is no turning back. I went through this too and for a long time, still I cling on to life, because our time is not yet over. No magic, no medicine, no person can revive a dead one.
So please, whether you are a student, parent, relative of someone, teacher, anyone, please never let your words take another life. You'll be devasted. No one can stop the flood of sorrow. Also, if you think no will care if you're gone, just think, you'll never know because you won't be there anymore. You can't do anything anymore. You won't even remember all this. Remember, board marks, exams, people are NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. People will move on, but you will always be in unrest due to your agony that caused you to take you life. It's not their life you're affecting, IT'S YOURS.
We as a society have failed such kind-hearted and innocent souls. It's NOT their mistake, their fault. IT'S OURS, AS A COLLECTIVE DISHARMONY, IT'S OURS. THEY'RE CHILDREN FOR GOD'S SAKE, LEAVE THEM ALONE. DON'T MAKE THEM OR PRESSURIZE THEM TO DO SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT. LET. THEM. LIVE. THEIR. LIFE. DON'T MAKE THEIR LIVES AS MISERABLE AS YOURS. As long as society won't change this mindset, every year a string of such unfortunate cases will follow. Beware, you'll never know how, when, or even why a person did this. You'll be in shock and denial and most probably regret.
Also to the people who will probably scoff at such a long post, I don't care. I have a lost a friend and that's enough. I don't care for all the people who oppose me for my views. If you have a valid point, state it. If not, keep you mouth shut and your venomous words WITH YOU. Empathy is not for everyone and I understand that, that's why such cases happen. So people, if you have even a slither of shame, of conscience then USE YOUR WORDS WISELY.
No matter how much I scream, no matter how much I cry nothing can bring her back. Now to all those who wish for a similar fate, I have no words for you. I can only wish now that my friend rests in peace and the comparisons are forever away from her. I feel guilty that maybe I could've done something, but, she didn't know and neither did I. Well, I am not a better person but I wish she was here, alive, happy and smiling.
"Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude"
- Anne Frank
I hope this post of mine helps some people, who I hope, would not find themselves in the same place as I am today.
Yours truly,
Signed
Vera